1 Coríntios 13
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Coríntios 13:4-7
13:4-7 This may have been a hymn or poem about love, written or quoted by Paul. Other examples of Paul quoting this type of material are Eph. 5:14; 1 Tim. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:11-13; and possibly Col. 1:15-20; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15-16. Paul may have used early church catechism items or items for worship liturgy. All of these descriptions of love are active. Love is an action, not simply an emotion. These all describe the ministry of Jesus (the full and complete revelation of YHWH) as He dealt with imperfect people. Love is a person! SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) 13:4 "patient" This VERB (PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE) has the connotation of patience with people (cf. Prov. 19:11; 1 Thess. 5:14; James 5:7,8; 2 Pet. 3:9) who act unjustly toward us, without retaliation (cf. Matt. 6:12). This is one of the fruits of the Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22). It is a characteristic of God (cf. Rom. 2:4; 9:22; 1 Tim. 1:16; 1 Pet. 3:20) and (the NOUN) should characterize New Testament believers, indwelt by God's Spirit (cf. 2 Cor. 6:6; Col. 1:11). ▣ "kind" This VERB is found only here and is also a people-focused term. It implies "be gentle to all." Peter also uses the same term for Jesus in 1 Pet. 2:3. It is also one of the gifts of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22. ▣ "not jealous" This describes a strong desire, literally "to boil." Love does not desire for itself the possessions of or control over people. ▣ "not brag" This rare term refers to a self-flattering person who is seen by others as a braggart or windbag. It was often related to intellectual or rhetorical pride or boasting in Greek literature. This surely fits some believers in Corinth. ▣ "not arrogant" This term refers to those who overestimate and flaunt themselves. It is used often in 1 Corinthians (1 Cor. 4:6,18,19; 5:2; 8:1) and here. It truly reflects the character of this church. See note at 1 Cor. 4:6. 13:5 "act unbecomingly" This is not an easy term to define. It is used in 1 Cor. 7:36 in a more positive sense. Here its connotation is negative. The term was used in the Egyptian papyri (see Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary of the Greek Testament) implying a cursing or oath-taking connected with a violent or inappropriate act (cf. 1 Cor. 12:3). It connotes rudeness (REB) instead of graciousness. ▣ "does not seek its own" This is an oft repeated truth (cf. 1 Cor. 8:9; 10:24,33; Rom. 14:16; Phil. 2:3). This may be theologically related to Eph. 5:21, being submissive to one another out of respect for Christ. ▣ "not provoked" This term is literally "to sharpen." It is used as imagery for "to stir up." It can be positive as in Acts 17:16 or negative, as here. The Phillips translation has "is not touchy," used in the sense of "not easily irritated or angered." This NOUN is used of Paul and Barnabas' fight over John Mark (cf. Acts 15:39). "does not take into account a wrong suffered" NKJV, Peshitta "thinks no evil" "or resentful" "does not keep a record of wrongs" "does not store up grievances" "keeps no score of wrongs" This is an accounting term for the ledger of unpaid bills (cf. 2 Cor. 3:5; 12:6). It refers to someone who harbors a vengeful spirit. An example might be Acts 15:36-41 and 2 Tim. 4:11 over John Mark. It is possible that this is an allusion to the Septuagint's translation of Zech. 8:17 "and let none of you devise evil in his heart against his neighbor." However, since the surrounding phrases are not OT allusions, it weakens the possibility that this one is. 13:6 This is both a negative and positive statement of truth. In this context it may refer to gossip within the Christian community. It is unusual that the term "unrighteousness" is contrasted with "truth." Probably "unrighteousness" is the opposite of "right living" and "truth" refers to the gospel message. ▣ "with the truth" Used by Paul for the gospel. See SPECIAL TOPIC: "TRUTH" IN PAUL'S WRITINGS, III. 13:7 "bears all things" The term "all things" (i.e. panta) is FRONTED four times in this verse for emphasis. Love is inclusive. "All things" is used in the sense of "at all times" (i.e. all four verbs are PRESENT TENSE) and "on all occasions." The term "bear" is from the Greek word for "roof" (cf. Matt. 8:8). It is imagery for covering (cf. 1 Pet. 4:8, different term, but same concept) putting up with (cf. 1 Cor. 12:9; 1 Thess. 3:1,5) the Moffat translation has "slow to expose" ▣ "believes all things" In this context this implies "sees the best in others" or "gives a fellow Christian the benefit of the doubt." It always keeps the faith (cf. Gal. 5:22). ▣ "hopes all things" In this context love holds out hope of a fellow believer's eventual development in the faith. It does not despair. In the NT "hope" usually is related to an eschatological consummation event. SPECIAL TOPIC: HOPE ▣ "endures all things" This is a strong term for enduring temptation and testing (cf. Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Heb. 10:32; James 1:12). Here it speaks of voluntary, steadfast endurance. This phrase emphasizes no personal retaliation or rejection, but steadfast perseverance, especially with people.
1 Coríntios 13:8-13
13:8 Several translations begin a new paragraph at 1 Cor. 13:8. Paul's discussion about Christian love is slightly changing and developing in a new direction (i.e. qualities and activities of this age versus the consummation of the new age, which has been inaugurated). ▣ "Love never fails" This term had two relevant figurative usages: it was used of an actor being hissed off the stage it was used of a flower that dropped its petals because of inclement weather conditions (cf. James 1:11; 1 Pet. 1:24) God's love never gives up! "If there are. . .if there are. . .if there is" NKJV, Peshitta "whether. . .whether. . .whether" "as for. . .as for. . .as for" "there are. . .there are. . .there is" "if there are. . .if. . .if" The grammatical form eite (three FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES) implies the reality of spiritual gifts. ▣ "prophecy. . .will be done away. . .tongues. . .will cease. . .knowledge. . .will be done away" Notice the parallel structure. These were the spiritual gifts which the Corinthian Church was magnifying (cf. 1 Cor. 13:1-3). This verse has often been used to depreciate tongues because a different VERB and VOICE are used. However, the context is affirming that all spiritual gifts will stop, but love will never stop. There is no emphasis in this context on the time element of one gift versus another. Spiritual gifts are a part of time, not eternity. Love is eternal! This term for "done away" is found in 1 Cor. 13:8,10, and 11. SPECIAL TOPIC: CESSATION SPECIAL TOPIC: NULL AND VOID (katargeō) 13:9 This begins a series of verses that emphasizes the partiality and incompleteness of spiritual gifts. This partiality is due to human weakness, fallenness, and finitude, not a lack connected with God's giftedness. 13:10 "when the perfect comes" This term (i.e. teleios) means "maturity, completeness," or "fully equipped for an assigned task" (cf. 1 Cor. 2:6; 13:10; 14:20). The question has always been, "To what does it refer?": Some have asserted that it refers to the New Testament. Nothing in this context points toward this. This is only a theory used to claim that some spiritual gifts have ceased in post-apostolic times. Some have asserted that it refers to spiritual maturity because of 1 Cor. 13:11 (i.e. child then adult) or the proper use of spiritual gifts. Some have asserted that it refers to the Second Coming of Christ and the consummation of the New Age of righteousness because of 1 Cor. 13:12 (i.e. "see face to face"). For me it seems to be a combination of both #2 and #3. The different uses and connotations of teleios can be seen in its use in the book of Hebrews (see SPECIAL TOPIC: END OR FULL [telos]). 13:11 "I did away with" This is the Greek term katargeō, which Paul uses so often. In this context Paul asserts that prophecies will be brought to an end, 1 Cor. 13:8 (FUTURE PASSIVE INDICATIVE) knowledge will be brought to an end, 1 Cor. 13:8 (FUTURE PASSIVE INDICATIVE) every gift will be brought to an end, 1 Cor. 13:10 (FUTURE PASSIVE INDICATIVE) spiritual infancy will be brought to an end, 1 Cor. 13:11 (FUTURE ACTIVE INDICATIVE) 13:12 "mirror" Corinth was famous for its polished metal mirrors. They were the best available in that day, but they still reflected a distorted image. Humans, even redeemed humans, are hindered by sin nature finitude limited perspective culture-affected conscience and worldview time as chronological sequence human language to explain and describe a spiritual realm Notice the parallelism 1 Cor. 13:9, know in part, prophesy in part vs. when the perfect comes 1 Cor. 13:11, a child vs. an adult 1 Cor. 13:12 a Corinthian mirror vs. face to face know in part vs. fully known These seem to reflect a present reality versus a future reality, therefore, the Second Coming, which consummates the New Age, is the focus. ▣ "dimly" This is literally "a riddle" (cf. NJB). The rabbis believed God spoke to Moses in riddles (cf. Num. 12:6,8). ▣ "face to face" This is imagery for intimate fellowship (i.e. comparable to Num. 12:8). In the OT seeing YHWH meant death (cf. Gen. 32:30; Exod. 33:20; John 1:1,18). In the new age this will be normal (cf. Matt. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:7; 1 John 3:2; Rev. 22:4). ▣ "I know in part. . .I will know fully. . .have been fully known" This is obviously a play on the connotation of the Hebrew and Greek terms "know." In the OT it referred, not only to cognitive facts (i.e. Greek concept), but personal relationship (cf. Gen. 4:1 and Jer. 1:5) In this verse there is also a play on the Greek word for "know" (i.e. ginōskō). The first usage is the basic term. The second and third are the compound term (i.e. epiginōskō), which implies experiential, full knowledge. Believers will know God in the new age as He has known us (cf. 1 Cor. 8:3; Gal. 4:9). The "New Covenant" is characterized by God's people each knowing Him (cf. Jer. 31:31-34). There will be no need for preachers/teachers! The theological concept of "knowing" is related to the concept of election. The mystery of how election (i.e. God's choice) relates to covenant response (i.e. human choice) is uncertain. Following the logic of these OT verses: Ps. 1:6; Jer. 1:5; Amos 3:2 and these NT verses: Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Cor. 8:3; 13:13; Gal. 4:9, believers are known by God before time, in time, and beyond time. Believers, however, know God in stages similar to justification, sanctification, glorification. We know Him in time through the OT, Jesus, and the gospel; through time by our growth to Christlikeness through the Spirit; and beyond time we will know Him in face-to-face, relational intimacy with perfect knowledge of the New Age of righteousness. SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION 13:13 "faith" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST ▣ "hope" This Greek term does not have the ambiguity and uncertainly of the English term. It is a confident assurance that God's promises will be reality in His timing. SPECIAL TOPIC: HOPE ▣ "But now faith, hope, love abide" The VERB is SINGULAR (cf. Gal. 5:22). Paul often uses this triad (cf. Rom. 5:2-5; Gal. 5:5-6; Eph. 1:15-18; Col. 1:4-5; 1 Thess. 1:3; 5:8; Hebrews) and other NT writers also (cf. Heb. 6:10-12; 1 Pet. 1:21-22). ▣ "the greatest of these is love" It is greatest because these others will cease at the consummation of the new age. Faith will turn to sight and hope will have its fulfillment, but love remains because it is the basic character of God (cf. John 3:16; 1 John 4:8,16). SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVE (agapē)