1 Corinthians 13: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Corinthians 13 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Paul addresses the Corinthians on the ineffectiveness of gifts without love, stating that eloquent speech or even prophetic gifts mean nothing without love (vv. 1-3). He then defines the nature of love, describing it as patient, kind, and devoid of pride or envy (vv. 4-7). Love does not behave improperly and does not seek its own interests. Following this, Paul speaks to the permanence of love over gifts, noting that prophecies and knowledge will eventually cease, while love endures (vv. 8-10). He explains that current understanding is partial, likening it to seeing through a dim mirror (vv. 11-12). In contrast, a complete understanding will come later. Finally, he concludes that faith, hope, and love will remain, with love being the greatest of these virtues (v. 13).

Key verse

“But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 (WEB)

Outline

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 The Ineffectiveness of Gifts Without Love
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 Defining the Nature of Love
1 Corinthians 13:8–10 The Permanence of Love Over Gifts
1 Corinthians 13:11–12 Growth and Maturity in Understanding
1 Corinthians 13:13 The Supremacy of Love

Discussion questions

In v1, what does Paul mean by 'sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal'?
What qualities of love does Paul describe in v4?
In v8, why does Paul say 'love never fails' but 'prophecies' and 'knowledge' will cease?
In vv. 11-12, what does Paul mean by 'put away childish things' and seeing 'in a mirror, dimly'?
When have you acted without love, as described in v3, even in a selfless act?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Corinthians 13: Galatians 5, 1 Peter 4, Ephesians 4.

Before next time: read 1 Corinthians 14.