Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Corinthians 13

The excellent way discussed at the end of the previous chapter is not what is commonly meant by 'charity' (that is, almsgiving), but rather love in its fullest sense: true love for God and for humankind. Without this love, the most glorious gifts are of no value to us and are not esteemed in the sight of God.

A clear mind and a deep understanding are of no value without a benevolent and charitable heart. There may be an open and lavish hand where there is not a liberal and charitable heart. Doing good to others will not benefit us if it is not done from love for God and goodwill toward people.

If we give away all we have while we withhold our hearts from God, it will bring no profit. Nor will even the most painful sufferings. How deluded are those who look for acceptance and reward for their good works, which are as meager and defective as they are corrupt and selfish!

Some of the effects of charity are stated, so that we may know whether we have this grace; and if we do not, that we may not rest until we have it. This love is a clear proof of regeneration and a touchstone of our professed faith in Christ. In this beautiful description of the nature and effects of love, it is meant to show the Corinthians that their conduct had, in many respects, been a contrast to it. Charity is an utter enemy to selfishness; it does not desire or seek its own praise, or honour, or profit, or pleasure.

Not that charity destroys all regard for ourselves, or that the charitable person should neglect himself and all his interests. But charity never seeks its own to the harm of others or to the neglect of others. It always prefers the welfare of others to its private advantage. How good-natured and amiable is Christian charity!

How excellent Christianity would appear to the world, if those who profess it were more under this Divine principle and paid due regard to the command on which its blessed Author laid the chief stress! Let us ask whether this Divine love dwells in our hearts. Has this principle guided us into proper conduct toward all people?

Are we willing to lay aside selfish goals and aims? Here is a call to watchfulness, diligence, and prayer.

Charity is much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves. This preference is due to its longer continuance. It is a grace, lasting as eternity. The present state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood. Such is the difference between earth and heaven.

What narrow views, what confused notions of things, children have when compared with grown men! In this way, we will think of our most valued gifts of this world when we come to heaven. All things are dark and confused now, compared with what they will be hereafter. They can only be seen as by the reflection in a mirror, or in the description of a riddle; but hereafter our knowledge will be free from all obscurity and error.

It is only the light of heaven that will remove all clouds and darkness that hide the face of God from us. To sum up the excellences of charity, it is preferred not only to gifts, but to other graces, to faith and hope. Faith fixes on the Divine revelation, and assents to it, relying on the Divine Redeemer. Hope fastens on future happiness and waits for that; but in heaven, faith will be swallowed up in actual sight, and hope in enjoyment.

There is no room to believe and hope when we see and enjoy. But there, love will be made perfect. There we will perfectly love God. And there we will perfectly love one another. Blessed state! How much surpassing the best below! God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). Where God is to be seen as He is, and face to face, there charity is in its greatest height; only there will it be perfected.