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1 Corinthians Chapter 13 (WBT)

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1 Corinthians 13: Faith, Hope, and the Greatest of These
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1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there are] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there are] languages, they shall cease; whether [there is] knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Corinthians chapter 13 about?
Paul argues that without love, even impressive gifts, knowledge, or sacrifice are worthless, then describes what love looks like in practice before concluding that faith, hope, and love remain, 'but the greatest of these is charity.'
What does 1 Corinthians 13:4 describe?
It begins Paul's description of love: 'Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up' (1 Corinthians 13:4).
What does 'through a glass, darkly' mean (v12)?
Paul uses this image to describe how our present understanding of God is partial and unclear compared to the full, face-to-face knowledge believers will one day have.

Today's Verse

But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

1-kings 12:17 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

The famous description in 1 Corinthians 13:4 - that charity suffers long and is kind - unfolds into a list of what love does and does not do, a standard Paul later condenses in 1 Corinthians 16:14. The chapter closes with faith, hope, and charity remaining, and charity as the greatest.