In 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, Paul presents one of the most celebrated passages in the New Testament, often called the love chapter. He begins by explaining that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, prophesying, or possessing great faith, amount to nothing. Paul makes clear that love is not simply a feeling but a way of life that gives true value and meaning to every spiritual gift and act of service.
Paul then describes the nature of love in detail, showing that it is patient, kind, humble, and selfless, never envious, boastful, or easily angered. He contrasts love with behaviors that damage relationships and community, emphasizing that genuine love always seeks the good of others rather than personal gain. Paul concludes the chapter by explaining that while spiritual gifts such as prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will eventually pass away, love remains eternal. He affirms that faith, hope, and love are essential virtues for the Christian life, but love stands above them all as the greatest and most enduring quality.
Chapter 13 (BBE)
1 If I make use of the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am like sounding brass, or a loud-tongued bell.
2 And if I have a prophet’s power, and have knowledge of all secret things; and if I have all faith, by which mountains may be moved from their place, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me.
4 Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride;
5 Love’s ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil;
6 It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true;
7 Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things.
8 Though the prophet’s word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end.
9 For our knowledge is only in part, and the prophet’s word gives only a part of what is true:
10 But when that which is complete is come, then that which is in part will be no longer necessary.
11 When I was a child, I made use of a child’s language, I had a child’s feelings and a child’s thoughts: now that I am a man, I have put away the things of a child.
12 For now we see things in a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now my knowledge is in part; then it will be complete, even as God’s knowledge of me.
13 But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Important Verses
Verse 1 Paul states that without love, even speaking in the tongues of men or angels amounts to nothing more than noise.
Verse 4 He describes love as patient and kind, free from envy, pride, and boastfulness.
Verse 7 Paul explains that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Verse 8 He teaches that love never fails, unlike prophecy, tongues, and knowledge, which will eventually pass away.
Verse 13 Paul concludes that faith, hope, and love remain, but love is the greatest of these three virtues.
