1 Corinthians 13:1-13

2. Infinite superiority of Love over Gifts, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

The central gift of Christianity not transient but permanent the diamond excellence of which all other virtues are a phase is LOVE. And to rouse his Corinthians above their eagerness after the transient, the apostle tasks all his powers to present the diamond before their eyes in its most attractive brilliancy. All critics view this passage as one of Paul’s genuine gems. It has something of the rhythm, as well as the splendour, of poetry. But it is brief and condensed, and not one word is inserted for mere fine writing; for Paul does not one moment forget his argument; the object of which is, to impress his brethren that that one virtue within the reach of all, the permanent heritage of the Church, is divine love.

We might call it one of the misfortunes of our English version that the Greek word for love, αγαπη , has been translated charity. But it is rather the fault of the language itself than of the translators. When St. Jerome came to translate this part of the New Testament he could find no word in the Latin language which would properly fit the true Christian idea of divine love. Paganism had not the word, because paganism had never possessed the idea. The word amor came most near, but that had degrading associations. He selected the Latin word caritas, signifying dearness, which has been used in most of the translations of modern Europe. But this word becoming charity in English, has sunk to mean mere almsgiving, or favourable construction of others’ actions, as when we say a charitable opinion. Dr. Hodge says, the Greek word occurs one hundred and sixteen times in the New Testament, and is translated love in all cases but twenty-three, and its translation in those passages is arbitrary.

The chapter has three distinct stages or paragraphs. The first declares, with intense hyperbole, the absolute worthlessness of every virtue if love be wanting, (1 Corinthians 13:1-3;) the second draws a brief beautiful picture of love in actual life, (1 Corinthians 13:4-8;) the third (1 Corinthians 13:8-13) traces our progress through transient developments, in contrast with the abiding three graces, faith, hope, and love. Paul, as on other occasions of depreciatory remark, speaks in the first person.