1 Corinthians 13:6 - Exposition

Rejoiceth not in iniquity; rather, at unrighteousness. The rejoicing at sin, the taking pleasure in them that commit sin, the exultation over the fall of others into sin, are among the worst forms of malignity ( Romans 1:32 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:12 ). The Greeks had a word, ἐπιχαιρεκακία , to describe "rejoicing at the evil" (whether sin or misfortune) of others ( Proverbs 24:17 ); Schadenfreude, "malignant joy" (Arist., 'Eth.,' 2.7, 15). It is the detestable feeling indicated by the remark of La Rochefoucald, "that there is something not altogether disagreeable to us in the misfortunes of our best friends." Rejoiceth in the truth; rather, with the truth. There are many who "resist the truth" ( 2 Timothy 3:8 ); or who "hold the truth in unrighteousness" ( Romans 1:18 ); but love accepts it, keeps it pure, exults in all its triumphs ( Acts 11:23 ; 2 John 1:4 ).