1 Corinthians 13
Read 1 Corinthians 13 (WEB)+
1If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. 3If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing. 4Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, 5doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; 6doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. 11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. 13But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
World English Bible (public domain)
Listen to this chapter summary · ~1 min
“"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."”
1 Corinthians 13:13
Summary
1 Corinthians 13 is often known as the 'Love Chapter' and serves as a profound exposition on the nature and supremacy of love. In this chapter, Paul emphasizes that love surpasses all spiritual gifts and is foundational to Christian conduct. He begins by asserting that even remarkable spiritual abilities, like speaking in tongues or having prophetic powers, are meaningless without love. Paul goes on to describe the attributes of love, portraying it as patient and kind, and highlighting what it is not – envious, boastful, or arrogant. He concludes by underscoring the eternal nature of love, contrasting it with temporary gifts that will cease when perfection comes. The chapter culminates with the assertion that love is the greatest of all virtues, enduring forever beyond faith and hope.
Go deeper
Ask the AI about 1 Corinthians 13
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Subscribe free and instantly get “Depth Without Seminary” — our step-by-step study guide (PDF).
One short email each morning. Unsubscribe anytime.
Studying 1 Corinthians with a print Bible beside you? See our picks for the best study Bibles for women.
Chapter outline
How 1 Corinthians 13 unfolds
1 Corinthians 13:1–3 The Ineffectiveness of Gifts Without Love
Paul establishes that remarkable spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues and prophecy, are meaningless without love, emphasizing that even self-sacrifice profits nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 Defining the Nature of Love
Paul describes the characteristics of love, portraying it as patient and kind, while detailing what love is not, such as envious or arrogant.
1 Corinthians 13:8–10 The Permanence of Love Over Gifts
Paul contrasts love with spiritual gifts, asserting that while gifts will cease, love endures and is eternal, as it reflects the completeness to come.
1 Corinthians 13:11–12 Growth and Maturity in Understanding
Paul uses the analogy of childhood to adulthood to illustrate the transition from partial understanding to complete knowledge in love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 The Supremacy of Love
The chapter concludes with the affirmation that love is the greatest of the three enduring virtues: faith, hope, and love.
Key verses
1 Corinthians 13:13This key verse encapsulates the chapter's teaching that love is the highest virtue, surpassing both faith and hope.
Main themes in 1 Corinthians 13
supremacy_of_love
The supremacy of love is emphasized in verse 13, where Paul identifies love as the greatest of the virtues. Throughout the chapter, he contrasts love with various spiritual gifts, illustrating that while these gifts are indeed valuable, they are ultimately temporary. This contrast reinforces love's position as the ultimate guiding principle for the Christian life, suggesting that love should inform and direct all other actions and expressions of faith.
nature_of_love
The nature of love is detailed in verses 4-7, where Paul outlines specific attributes and behaviors that characterize true love. He presents love as inherently selfless, patient, and enduring, setting it in contrast to pride and selfishness, which can disrupt community. This definition of love serves as a crucial foundation for understanding how love should be embodied and expressed within the Christian community, guiding interactions and relationships among believers.
eternal_value_of_love
The eternal value of love appears prominently in verses 8-10, where Paul asserts that love will endure even when other spiritual gifts eventually fade away. This claim highlights love's unique and lasting significance, indicating that it transcends temporal experiences and achievements within the faith community. Therefore, love is positioned not merely as an important attribute but as a cornerstone of faith, essential for a lasting relationship with God and others.
love_as_foundation
Love as a foundation is evident in verses 1-3, where Paul argues that without love, even the most impressive acts hold no true value. This foundational aspect underscores that love must underpin all Christian actions and relationships, as it is essential for genuine expressions of faith. Consequently, the chapter urges believers to prioritize love above all else, establishing it as the core principle guiding their lives and interactions.
Cross-references
Passages that echo 1 Corinthians 13
- Galatians 5Galatians 5 connects through its emphasis on love as a fruit of the Spirit, underscoring love's role in Christian conduct.
- 1 Peter 41 Peter 4 echoes the theme of love covering sins, reinforcing the idea that love is essential in community relationships.
- Ephesians 4Ephesians 4 develops the concept of love as central to unity in the body of Christ, aligning with Paul's message here.
- 1 John 31 John 3 connects by affirming love as a fundamental characteristic of God, emphasizing love's importance in the believer's life.
- Colossians 3Colossians 3 echoes the call to love as a binding force, highlighting its essential role in Christian community.
- 1 Corinthians 141 Corinthians 14 connects by continuing the discussion of spiritual gifts, reinforcing that love must guide their use.
Study questions
Questions for studying 1 Corinthians 13
- What does Paul suggest about speaking in tongues without love?
- How does Paul describe the qualities of love in this chapter?
- In what ways does love differ from spiritual gifts according to Paul?
- What analogy does Paul use to illustrate maturity in understanding?
- How does the conclusion of this chapter emphasize the importance of love?
- What implications does the permanence of love have for Christian conduct?
- How might the characteristics of love inform community relationships?
1 Corinthians 13: frequently asked questions
What is 1 Corinthians 13 about?+
What is the key verse in 1 Corinthians 13?+
What are the main themes of 1 Corinthians 13?+
Studied in
Where 1 Corinthians 13 comes up on ScriptureDepth
Related chapters