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Verse Takeaways
1
Love Over Impressive Gifts
Paul begins with the gift of tongues because the Corinthians prized it too highly. Commentators explain that even the ability to speak every human language, or even the language of angels, is worthless without love. The most impressive spiritual gifts are empty if not motivated by genuine love for God and others. This sets the stage for the entire chapter: love is the 'more excellent way.'
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Book Overview
1 Corinthians
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On 1 Corinthians 13:1
18th Century
Theologian
1 Corinthians Chapter 13
This chapter is a continuation of the subject begun in chapter 12. In that chapter, Paul had introduced the subject…
AT Robertson
On 1 Corinthians 13:1
With the tongues (ταις γλωσσαις). Instrumental case. Mentioned first because really least and because the Corinthians put undue em…
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Corinthians 13:1
19th Century
Bishop
Though I speak . . .—The more excellent way is “Love.” Without it, all moral and intellectual gifts are valueless. If the…
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Charles Spurgeon
On 1 Corinthians 13:1
19th Century
Preacher
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.
If…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Corinthians 13:1
Verse 31b introduces ch. 13. Love is the most excellent way for Christians to use their spiritual gifts. The word “love” (agape GK 27) is used in t…
John Gill
On 1 Corinthians 13:1
17th Century
Pastor
Though I speak with the tongues of men
That is, of all men, all languages that men anywhere speak, or have been spok…
Matthew Henry
On 1 Corinthians 13:1–3
17th Century
Minister
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…