1 Corinthians 13:5-10 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The apostle gives us in these verses some of the properties and effects of charity, both to describe and commend it, that we may know whether we have this grace and that if we have not we may fall in love with what is so exceedingly amiable, and not rest till we have obtained it. It is an excellent grace, and has a world of good properties belonging to it. As, I. It is long suffering?makrothymei. It can endure evil, injury, and provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Here the apostle goes on to commend charity, and show how much it is preferable to the gifts on which the Corinthians were so apt to pride themselves, to the utter neglect, and almost extinction, of charity. This he makes out, I. From its longer continuance and duration: Charity never faileth. It is a permanent and perpetual grace, lasting as eternity; whereas the extraordinary gifts on which the Corinthians valued themselves were of short continuance. They were only to edify the church on... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

13 I may speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but if I have not love, I am become no better than echoing brass or a clanging cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy, I may understand all sacred secrets and all knowledge, I may have faith enough to remove mountains, but if I have not love I am nothing. I may dole out all that I have, I may surrender my body that I may be burned, but if I have not love it is no good to me. Love is patient; love is kind; love knows no envy; love... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:5

Doth not behave itself unseemly ,.... By using either unbecoming words, or doing indecent actions; for a man unprincipled with this grace will be careful that no filthy and corrupt communication proceed out of his mouth, which may offend pious ears; and that he uses no ridiculous and ludicrous gestures, which may expose himself and grieve the saints; accordingly the Syriac version renders it, "neither does it commit that which is shameful": such an one will not do a little mean despicable... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:6

Rejoiceth not in iniquity ,.... Neither in his own, nor in others; but on the contrary is grieved for it; he mourns over his own iniquities, the corruption of his heart, the infirmities of his life, his secret sins, which none know but God and his own soul; he is greatly troubled at the profaneness and immorality of the men of the world, and the sins of professors cut him to the heart: nor does he rejoice in injustice, as the word used here may be rendered, in any unjust action or injury,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:7

Beareth all things ,.... The burdens of fellow Christians, and so fulfils the law of Christ, which is the law of love; the infirmities of weak believers, and the reproaches and persecutions of the world: or "covers all things", as it may be rendered, even a multitude of sins, as charity is said to do, 1 Peter 4:8 not by conniving at them, or suffering them to be upon a brother; but having privately and faithfully reproved for them, and the offender being brought to a sense and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:8

Charity never faileth ,.... It may fail as to the exercise of it, as other graces do; it may be left, but not lost; the fervour of it may be remitted and abated; it may wax cold through the prevalence of sin; it may be greatly damped by the growth of error and heresy, which eat as do a canker; and may be much obstructed by an anxious and immoderate care and concern for worldly things; which are very pernicious to all the branches of vital religion and powerful godliness, and particularly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:9

For we know in part ,.... Not that the Scriptures, the rule and measure of knowledge, and from whence spiritual knowledge is derived, are imperfect; so that there is need of unwritten traditions, and of enthusiastic revelations and inspirations, to inform of things otherwise unknown; for though they were at sundry times, and in divers manners delivered, yet now they contain a complete system of divine truths, to which nothing is to be added, and from which nothing is to be taken away; or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:10

But when that which is perfect is come ,.... When perfect knowledge of God, of Christ, and of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven shall take place; which will not in this life, but in that which is to come. So the Jews say F18 Midrash Haneelam in Zohar in Gen. fol. 69. 1. that at the resurrection, upon the reunion of the soul and body, "the children of men shall attain to דעה שלימה , "perfect knowledge";' which is what the apostle refers to here: and then that which is in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:5

(6.) Doth not behave itself unseemly - Ουκ ασχημονει , from α , negative, and σχημα , figure, mien; love never acts out of its place or character; observes due decorum and good manners; is never rude, bearish, or brutish; and is ever willing to become all things to all men, that it may please them for their good to edification. No ill-bred man, or what is termed rude or unmannerly, is a Christian. A man may have a natural bluntness, or be a clown, and yet there be nothing boorish or... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:5

Group of Brands