1 Coríntios 13
R.C.H. Lenski · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski - Where unrighteousness prevails truth is of necessity absent. Unrighteousness prevails where the heart has pleasure in it, loves it, and thus rejoices in it. There the love that Paul describes is absent. But where the heart “rejoices with the truth,” embraces it gladly, finds pleasure in possessing it, there unrighteousness is driven out.(The interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second epistle to the Corinthians)
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski notes that "Only “longsuffering,” makrothumia and never hupomone is naturally ascribed also to God. Men may resist and antagonize God and thus arouse him to anger. When he withholds his anger he “suffers long.” Mere things cannot arouse God; trials, tribulations, persecutions do not apply to God, hence he cannot manifest hupomone, literally, “remaining under.” When Paul thus names the ability to suffer long as the first feature of love, we should note that this is a Godlike feature. The world is full of evil men, and even in our brethren much evil meets us. When this evil strikes us, and our natural reaction would be resentment, indignation, anger, bitter words, blows perhaps, then love steps in, “suffers long,” keeps calm, endures, and does this continually no matter how long the offense may persist. (Commentary) Barnett notes that makrothumeo "is a metaphorical word, literally ‘long burning’, as of a decent log burning for many hours in an open fire, as contrasted with light pine kindling that fizzes and sputters, sending showers of sparks in all directions. (Barnett, P. W. Focus on the Bible: 1 Corinthians) Makrothumeo focuses our attention on the idea of restraint or the capacity for self-control (Spirit control for believer) despite circumstances that might arouse the passions or cause agitation. In personal relationships, patience is forbearance. This is a way of life especially as highlighted by Paul's use of the present tense (calls for continuous action) a characteristic action made possible by the Spirit for… the fruit of the Spirit is (present tense) love (agape), joy, peace, patience (related noun makrothumia), kindness (chrestotes), goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) Pritchard explains that selfless love that is always patient "describes the person who has been wronged, who has it within his power to get even, but chooses not to use that power. During the early days of the Civil War, Edwin Stanton was outspoken in his criticism of Abraham Lincoln. He held Lincoln in utter contempt, calling him a gorilla and a cunning clown. Although he knew about the slanders, Lincoln never retaliated. And when the time came to choose someone to oversee the war effort, Lincoln chose Stanton. When asked why, he simply replied, "Because he is the best man for the job." After the president was assassinated in April 1865, Stanton stood weeping over Lincoln's body and declared: "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." Patient love won in the end! (Why Love Has a Bad Memory) An early church father, Chrysostom said that makrothumeo "is a word which is used of the man who is wronged and who has it easily in his power to avenge himself but will never do it. Makrothumeo expresses the capacity to be wronged and not retaliate. It is the ability to hold one's feeling in restraint or bear up under the oversights and wrongs afflicted by others without retaliating. It is manifest by the quality of forbearance under provocation. The related noun makrothumia is used of God's patience toward sinful men (see note Romans 2:4) and of the attitude which Christians are to display. Patience, long-suffering or being slow to anger is an attribute of God (Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; see Ro 2:4-note; 1Pe 3:20-note). In many places, God’s people are called upon to be patient (see notes Eph 4:2-note; Col 3:12-note; 1Th 5:14-note). The person exhibits makrothumeo who bears with annoyances or inconveniences without complaint and does not lose its temper when provoked but instead steadily perseveres. Regarding the character of love that "Suffereth long, and is kind" the Pulpit Commentary writes that "Passively it endures; actively it does good. It endures evils; it confers blessings. (1 Corinthians 13 Commentary ) J
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski - When love sees another prosperous, rich, high, gifted it is pleased and glad of his advantages. Love never detracts from the praise that is due another nor tries to make him seem less and self seem more by comparison. The practice of the world is the opposite. he negatives used in Paul’s description suggest corresponding positives. Instead of being envious love is satisfied with its own portion and glad of another’s greater portion. (Commentary) THOUGHT -How do you react when other Christians receive blessings or benefits that we lack? Do you allow the sparks of envy to burn and then come to a full flame? Is...jealous (2206) (zeloo from zelos = zeal in turn from zeo = boil; source of our English word "zeal") properly, to bubble over from getting so hot (boiling) and figuratively to burn with zeal (or intensity), to be fervent, to "boil" with envy, to be jealous. It can be used commendably to refer to a striving for something or showing zeal. Zeloo is (an onomatopoeic word imitating the sound of boiling water! The idea is to be deeply committed to something, with the implication of accompanying desire – 'to be earnest, to set one's heart on, to be completely intent upon' Thiselton adds that zeloo "applies the notion of burning or boiling metaphorically to burning or boiling emotions, stance, or will for earnest striving, for passionate zeal, or for burning envy. Whether it is constructive zeal or destructive envy depends on the context… The envy which is carried over from a status-seeking, non-Christian Corinthian culture into the Christian church is not “of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 3:1–3), and is deemed to be incompatible with love, which does not begrudge the status and honor of another, but delights in it for the sake of the other. (Thiselton, A. C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians : A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W. B. Eerdmans) Zeloo takes the notion of burning or boiling and applies it metaphorically to burning or boiling emotions, stance, or will for earnest striving, for passionate zeal, or for burning envy. Thus Williams translates this passage "Love never boils with jealousy." People who are filled with the Spirit and have learned to love don’t begrudge others their earthly goods, their positions, or their spiritual gifts. Whether zeloo is constructive zeal or destructive envy depends on the context. In 1Corinthians 13:4 zeloo clearly is used in a bad sense of a hostile emotion based on resentment which is "heated or boiling" with envy, hatred or anger. Zeloo in the bad sense can be manifest in two forms, one in which the person sets their heart on something that belongs to someone else or a second form in which one has intense negative feelings over another’s achievements or success. Zeloo is used 28 times in the Septuagint (LXX) Gen. 26:14; 30:1; 37:11; Num. 5:14, 30; 11:29; 25:11, 13; Deut. 32:19; Jos. 24:19; 2 Sam. 21:2; 1 Ki. 19:10, 14; 2 Ki. 10:16; Ps. 37:1; 73:3; Prov. 3:31; 4:14; 6:6; 23:17; 24:1, 19; Isa. 11:11, 13; Ezek. 31:9; 39:25; Joel 2:18; Zech. 1:14; 8:2) Zeloo 11 times in the NT - am jealous(1), becoming jealous(1), desire earnestly(2), eagerly seek(1), eagerly sought(1), earnestly desire(1), envious(1), jealous(2), seek(1). Acts 7:9 "And the patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. And yet God was with him, Acts 17:5 But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and coming upon the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. 1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. Comment: Because zeloo often has the negative connotation of coveting jealously or enviously and because the Greek indicative and imperative forms are identical, the verse could be translated, “But you earnestly desire the greater gifts” a rendering which seems much more appropriate to the context and is consistent with the tone of the letter and the sin of the Corinthians who clearly prized the showier gifts, the seemingly greater gifts. Thus it would seem foolish of Paul to command them to do what they already were eagerly doing.) 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. Earnestly desire (2206) (zeloo from zelos = zeal in turn from zeo = boil; source of our English word "zeal") properly, to bubble over from getting so hot (boiling) and figuratively to burn with zeal (or intensity), to be fervent. Zeloo is an onomatopoeic word imitating the sound of boiling water! The idea is to be deeply committed to something, with the implication of accompanying desire – and in this context to be earnest, to set one's heart on, to be completely intent upon. Does that describe your approach toward spiritual gifts? First keep on pursuing love (something that you can only do supernaturally as you rely on the enabling power of the Holy Spirit - See discussion of the Need for the Holy Spirit to obey NT commands.). But don't stop there! Be continually burning with zeal to know and use your spiritual gift or gifts (And as an aside to continually desire spiritual gifts also necessitates continual reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit!). Now tying the two clauses together (pursue...desire earnestly), it is clear that Paul wants love to be the motivation behind one's being fervent for spiritual gifts! If you reverse the order (and even leave out love), you have become like "a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1)!!! Desire earnestly - Beloved do you desire earnestly to know your spiritual gift and to use your spiritual gift for the glory of God? Then first pursue love. And then ponder the following note... Gary Hill on desire earnestly (zeloo) - zēloō is used of earnestly desiring spiritual gifts. 1 Cor 14:1 literally commands, "Constantly boil over (i.e. 'with red-hot intensity') for spirituals" (= spiritual gifts)! We should literally "boil over (in intensity) about desiring spirituals" (pneumatikós; plural, ta pneumatika). This means earnestly seeking God's grace-endowments as we are convinced we should experience the Lord's fullness. Clair D. Hutchins, "Many Christians do not experience spiritual gifts ('spirituals') today. Why? Because they lack red-hot zealwhich God requires in properly pursuing them. Rather we should be like a pro-golfer – playing at least 18 holes a day to 'keep their swing in shape.' How much more important is it to move in spiritual gifts? This will happen as we burn (boil with intensity) with desire to see 'the demonstration of the Spirit and power' (1 Cor 2:4)!" 2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy (noun - zelos); for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. Galatians 4:17+ They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out, in order that you may seek them. 18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. James 4:2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. The Pulpit Commentary writes regarding jealous that "Its negative characteristics are part of its positive perfection. Envy—“one shape of many names”—includes malice, grudge, jealousy, pique, an evil eye, etc., with all their base and numerous manifestations. (1 Corinthians 13 Commentary ) Augustine wrote that "The reason why love does not envy is because it is not puffed up. For where puffing up precedes, envy follows, because pride is the mother of envy.
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski - Behind boastful bragging there lies conceit, an overestimation of one’s own importance, abilities, or achievements. Hence the next step: “is not puffed up.” From envy to boasting, from boasting to puffing oneself up is a natural sequence in the psychology of love-lessness. He that exalteth himself shall be abased; he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Thus in this case the positive virtue is Christian humility and lowliness of mind. (Commentary) Hodge explains that arrogance "is the root of boasting. Anyone who has a high opinion of himself is apt to be boastful and to desire praise. Love, on the other hand, is modest and humble—modest because humble. (1 Corinthians 13 Commentary)
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski - Love keeps no account book for the entry of wrongs on the debit side which are eventually to be balanced on the credit side with payments received when satisfaction is obtained for these wrongs. Love forgets to charge any wrong done to itself. It is neither enraged at the moment, nor does it hold a grudge in vindictiveness afterward. Chrysostom has well said: “As a spark falls into the sea and does not harm the sea, so harm may be done to a loving soul and is soon quenched without disturbing the soul.” We ought to note that "ou logizomai" is the very verb used to describe the pardoning act of God: he does not impute to us our guilt, Ps 32:2-note; Ro. 4:8-note; 2Co 5:19; but imputes to us righteousness for Christ’s sake, Ro 4:6-11-note; Ro 4:22, 23, 24, 25-note; Jas 2:23-note.(The interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second epistle to the Corinthians) Godet - Love, instead of entering evil as a debt in its account-book, voluntarily passes the sponge over what it endures Cole relates the following story - One married man said to his friend, “You know, every time my wife and I get into a conflict, she gets historical.” His friend said, “Historical? Don’t you mean hysterical?” “No, I mean historical. She rehearses everything I’ve ever done wrong in the whole history of our marriage.” That’s keeping score! That’s not love. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 1 Corinthians 13:6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; Greek: ou chairei (3SPAI) epi te adikia, sugchairei (3SPAI) de te aletheia; Amplified: It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski - Anything that is wrong in God’s sight grieves a heart that is full of love, not merely because the wrong hurts the one to whom it is done, but especially because God is displeased with the wrong and must punish the wrongdoer. Instead of rejoicing over the wrong (negative) love grieves over the wrong (positive). (The interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second epistle to the Corinthians)
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski - After the negative Paul now makes some positive statements. Yet these negatives and these positives are not merely grammatical. They are more. The former declare: “Nothing of this—nothing of this, etc.”; then the latter exclaim: “All of this—all of this, etc.” Thus Paul completes “the golden chain” of his praise of love, each jewel matches the next until the characterization is complete.(The interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second epistle to the Corinthians) LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS From the definition of bears (see below) we see the picture of love as that which protects the beloved by covering them over, concealing them from that which would be injurious (eg, words, actions, etc). Bears (4722) (stego from stege = a thatch or roof or covering of a building) derives its first meaning from stege and thus means to cover closely, to protect by covering and then, to conceal and then, by covering, to bear up under. Note that at the core of its meaning stego denotes an activity or state which blocks entry from without or exit from within. BDAG notes that stego in the Greek papyri was used frequently "in the sense of covering or enclosing in such a way as to keep something undesirable from coming in, as water into a ship." Friberg adds that stego means "strictly put a roof on; hence cover, keep silent about, keep confidential." Complete Biblical Library says stego describes "the act of “covering closely” in order to keep a liquid within a container or from coming into a container; hence, “watertight, repel”; and in later Greek, “to ward off, to bear up, sustain,” and thence “to endure” or “to resist” (Liddell-Scott). Vine - the verb stego, to bear, signifies that what is mentioned either supports what is placed upon it, or covers what is placed underneath it. The former idea is prominent in 1Co 9:12; 1Th 3:1-note; 1Th 3:5-note. The present statement (1Cor 13:7) may convey both ideas, for love acts in both ways in bearing all things. That which covers both protects what is covered, by keeping off all that is hostile, and in doing so endures the hostility (cp. 1Co 9:12)." Stego occurs in the apocryphal book Sirach 8:17 describing the fool who will not be able to conceal the matter. John
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski - Tongues and languages in general as we know them here are evidently not to endure eternally. The penalty inflicted at Babel is not to be carried over into the other world. (The interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second epistle to the Corinthians)
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski - Love “believes all things” and refuses to yield to suspicions of doubt. The flesh is ready to believe all things about a brother and a fellow man in an evil sense. Love does the opposite, it is confident to the last. Here and in the next statement panta is to be understood in the good sense: “all that is best,” while in the first and in the final statement “all” is to be taken in the bad sense: “all that is worst.”(The interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second epistle to the Corinthians) Paul's letter to the Philippians he prays for a love that is discerning, asking that their… love may abound (excel) still more and more in real knowledge (see study of epignosis) and all discernment (see study of aisthesis) so that you may approve (see study of dokimazo) the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere (see study of eilikrines) and blameless (see study of aproskopos) until the day of Christ (Php 1:9,10+) The love that believes has faith in God, Who will work out His divine plans even when all the indicators seem to point in different directions. To "believe all things" means that love believes the best that is possible as long as that can be done. Love gives the benefit of the doubt. It takes people at their highest and best-not at their lowest and worst.
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski - When I was a child I spoke as a child, I had the interests of a child, I reasoned as a child; now that I have become a man I have put away the things of the child. Zodhiates "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." NET 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways. NLT 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. ESV 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. NIV 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. GNT 1 Corinthians 13:11 ὅτε ἤμην νήπιος, ἐλάλουν ὡς νήπιος, ἐφρόνουν ὡς νήπιος, ἐλογιζόμην ὡς νήπιος· ὅτε γέγονα ἀνήρ, κατήργηκα τὰ τοῦ νηπίου. KJV 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. YLT 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a babe, as a babe I was speaking, as a babe I was thinking, as a babe I was reasoning, and when I have become a man, I have made useless the things of the babe; I used to speak like 1Co 3:1,2 14:20 Ec 11:10 Ga 4:1 1 Corinthians 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL'S CHILD TO ADULT ANALOGY When I was a child (nepios), I used to speak (laleo) like a child (nepios), think (phroneo) like a child (nepios), reason like a child (nepios) - Paul illustrates the doing away with the "partial" described above by comparing it with what one did as a child and then what one did as an adult. Notice he is using himself as the example. When I became a man, I did away with childish (nepios) things - Did away with is the same word katargeo used in 1 Cor 13:10 describing the partial done away with. Paul is not speaking about growing up and becoming spiritually mature but is expressing the difference between the present earthly state and the future heavenly state. Gordon Fee explains that "The analogy, therefore, says that behavior from one period in one’s life is not appropriate to the other; the one is “done away with” when the other comes. So shall it be at the Eschaton. Kistemaker agree writing "The present verse is a comparison of the believer’s earthly life and his subsequent perfection in the presence of the Lord." Zodhiates - When the apostle Paul wanted to illustrate the state of perfection of the Christian in the world to come, he did so by contrasting the imperfect state of our present spiritual attainments with the perfection that will be ours when we finally go to be with the Lord. As
1 Coríntios 13
Lenski has an interesting observation - In v. 11 Paul uses the typical singular “I” when he is speaking about that which is true with respect to all of us. He individualizes and makes concrete the truth which he expounds. He might have continued to use “I” in v. 12. But with a masterly touch he inserts one clause which has the plural “we” in the verb and thereby shows that every “I” refers to all of us. (Commentary) For (gar) Term of explanation. Paul is explaining his illustration in 1 Cor 13:12. Face to Face Before the Fall and After Redemption (from Steve Lewis) Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face (prosopon) to face (prosopon) - REB = "puzzling reflections." NET = wee see in a mirror indirectly." NIV = Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror." Corinth was famous as the producer of some of the finest bronze mirrors in antiquity but mirrors in Paul's day were not like modern mirrors but were made of polished bronze (or some other metal). They were inferior to our modern mirrors and gave only a dim reflection of the person's image. In secular Greek literature a mirror symbolized clarity and self-recognition. Notice two uses of Now...then which is a contrast to highlight the difference in the Corinthians present temporal spiritual life and their future eternal spiritual life. Note that Paul uses the pronoun we, thus identifying himself with the Corinthians, even though he himself had experienced a face to face encounter with the risen Lord. In using the mirror as an illustration, Paul is in essence asking the Corinthians to imagine what it is like to see another person only in a mirror. Paul's point is that even if the mirror were perfect, it would still only be a reflection, and not the reality, face to face. How much clearer will we be able to see when we see the reality! Explore the Bible ties this illustration together with spiritual gifts explaining that "The analogy was as follows: using gifts of the Spirit was like getting to know Christ by looking at Him through a mirror. When He returns, we will see Him in Person. Then the mirror (spiritual gifts) will no longer be needed." Gordon Fee adds that “Our present ‘vision’ of God, as great as it is, is as nothing when compared to the real thing that is yet to be; it is like the difference between seeing a reflected image in a mirror and seeing a person face to face.” In our own culture the comparable metaphor would be the difference between seeing a photograph and seeing someone in person. As good as a picture is, it is simply not the real thing." (NICNT-1 Cor) As Zodhiates says "All our attempts to look at truth, as we see it reflected in creation, in history, in our own consciousness, and even in the Bible, can give us only a dim and imperfect idea of God and of heavenly realities, because of human finiteness and sin. Our perception of realities may be more or less the truth so far as our perception goes, but this is always dim and imperfect." Mirror (2072)(esoptron from from eisópsomai = to look into) a "looking glass" but actually a piece of flat metal, often bronze, sometimes silver (P.Oxy. 1449, 19) or even gold, with a handle of metal, ivory, or enamel, the metal being polished to reflect an image. Corinth was famous for manufacturing these "two part" instruments. Pliny mentions precious stone mirrors made of agate and emerald. Obviously the reflected image was not perfect compared to modern glass mirrors. Figuratively esoptron depicts the imperfect image believers have on earth of things in heaven, which can only be "seen" indirectly by faith as we look into God's word (1 Cor 13:12, cf 2 Cor 4:18). Only other use in James 1:23+ "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror." Vincent, "The mirrors in NT times were usually so small as to be carried in the hand, though there are allusions to larger ones which reflected the entire person. The figure of the mirror, illustrating the partial vision of divine things, is frequent in the rabbinical writings, applied, for instance, to Moses and the prophets. Plato says: 'There is light in the earthly copies of justice or temperance or any of the higher qualities which are precious to souls: they are seen through a glass, dimly' (Phaedrus, 250). Compare Republic, vii, 516" (WS, 796). Dimly (135)(ainigma from ainissomai = to speak in riddles) refers to a saying which is difficult to understand. BDAG - that which requires special acumen to understand because it is expressed in puzzling fashion, riddle (2) indirect mode of communication. In the context of mirror imagery av. signifies indirect image" Now I know (ginosko) in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known - While we can know much about God, Christ and the Spirit, our knowledge is limited now. The phrase as I also have been fully known most likely reflects God's knowing of us, which is clearly full and complete. When we are in the eternal state we will have know God as fully as is possible. Lenski says it this way "As God’s direct and all-penetrating knowledge takes into account every one of his children already in eternity and, of course, through all of life, so we, too, shall at last know God directly and completely to the highest degree in which this is possible for his children."(Commentary) Explore the Bible - In summary Paul added one more contrast: life now means partial knowledge, even with the greatest outpouring of gifts; life then—when we see Christ—will mean we will know as fully as it is possible to know. Of course, we are all already fully known to Christ. How wonderful it will be when sin and its effects are finally removed! ILLUSTRATION - A woman at a large social affair was descending a staircase when she saw what she thought was another woman descending the opposite stairs wearing the same style dress as herself. For a moment she stood transfixed with dismay, until she realized that she was actually facing a huge wall mirror. Know...known (recognize, understand) (1921) epiginosko from epí means upon intensifies verb + ginosko = to know) means to know fully, to know with certainty, to become thoroughly acquainted with or to know thoroughly, exactly, fully, or completely. 1 Corinthians 13:13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. NET 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. NLT 1 Corinthians 13:13 Three things will last forever-- faith, hope, and love-- and the greatest of these is love. ESV 1 Corinthians 13:13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. NIV 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. GNT 1 Corinthians 13:13 νυνὶ δὲ μένει πίστις, ἐλπίς, ἀγάπη, τὰ τρία ταῦτα· μείζων δὲ τούτων ἡ ἀγάπη. KJV 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. YLT 1 Corinthians 13:13 and now there doth remain faith, hope, love -- these three; and the greatest of these is love. abide: 1Co 3:14 1Pe 1:21 1Jn 2:14,24 3:9 faith: Lu 8:13-15 22:32 Ga 5:6 Heb 10:35,39 11:1-7 1Jn 5:1-5 hope: Ps 42:11 43:5 146:5 La 3:21-26 Ro 5:4,5 8:24,25 15:13 Col 1:5,27 1Th 5:8 Heb 6:11,19 1Pe 1:21 1Jn 3:3 love: 1Co 13:1-8 8:1,3 2Co 5:10,15 Ga 5:6 1Jn 2:10 4:7-18 the greatest: 1Co 13:8 14:1 16:14 Mk 12:29-31 Lu 10:27 Ga 5:13-22 Php 1:9 Col 3:14 1Ti 1:5 2Ti 1:7 1Jn 4:7-9 2Jn 1:4-6 1 Corinthians 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LOVE NEVER ENDS In 1 Cor 13:8 Paul wrote love never fails and now he underscores that truth with the fact that love never ends. But now - The understanding of the word "now" is crucial in how one interprets this passage. NAC explains it this way - he words “and now” may carry temporal or logical force. If the sense of the construction is primarily temporal then Paul is referring to the experience of faith, hope, and love in the present life of the church. Even though love is forever, Paul ends his argument by emphasizing that love is for the present as well. In this reading, love is the greatest because only love carries into the future. Faith and hope are strictly for this present age. If, however, the sense of the words “and now” is logical, this opens the door for a different understanding. In other words, “now” refers to the conclusion of the argument, and the present tense verb “to remain” connotes something present that continues in the future. Already, Paul has included faith and hope in his definition of love (13:7, “always trusts, always hopes”), and the main thrust of the passage is the permanence of love over against the temporary spiritual gifts. In the age to come the people of God will continue to exercise faith in the sense of reliance on and trust in God, and they will continue to hope in the sense of expressing confidence in him. Paul does not say why love is the greatest. Perhaps it is because love is more than faith and hope (13:4-7) or that love is the very essence of God’s character: 1 John 4:16, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” There is nothing greater than to love God and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matt 22:36-40). (New American Commentary – Volume 28: 1 Corinthians) Explore the Bible - Here, he commended these virtues as the engines that drive our lives forward as Christians now, in this lifetime. In one sense, when faith has become sight, no more faith will be needed; and when hope has been realized, it will not be necessary (Rom. 8:24; 2 Cor. 5:7). But in a greater sense, faith and hope will remain forever. As Paul had just stated in verse 7, love "believes all things" and "hopes all things." (Summer 2010). faith, hope, love, abide these three Paul frequently links faith, hope and love - Rom. 5:1-5; Gal. 5:5-6; Eph. 4:2-5; Col. 1:4-5; 1 Thess. 1:3; 5:8. but the greatest of these is love - Paul began this chapter emphasizing the primacy of love, so it is only fitting to end on this same high note.