1 Corinthians 13 — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Overview of 1 Corinthians

- F. INSTRUCTIONS FOR ORDERLY WORSHIP IN THE CONGREGATION (11:2–14:40)
  - Respect for Christian headship; principle of head covering (11:2-16)
  - Showing respect for the Lord’s Evening Meal (11:17-34)
  - Gifts of the spirit (12:1-11)
  - One body, many members (12:12-31a)
  - Love—a surpassing way (12:31b-13:13)
  - Gifts of prophecy and of tongues (14:1-25)
  - Maintaining orderliness at Christian meetings (14:26-40)

1 Corinthians 13:1

a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal: A clanging gong produces a loud, harsh noise, as does a clashing cymbal. Paul uses this illustration to show that a person having a gift of the spirit, such as speaking in tongues, might draw much attention to himself. But if he does not have love for others, he would be like a brass object that echoes loudly when struck and makes a harsh, jarring, and discordant noise that repels rather than attracts.

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
12/15/2015, p. 4

Close to Jehovah, p. 301
Publications Index
it-1 505, 563; w15 12/15 4; cl 301; w92 7/15 28; w91 5/1 10; w88 11/1 14

w80 4/15 25; w78 9/15 18; w76 530; w73 524; ad 375, 406; g71 2/22 8; w69 683; w65 708; w61 11, 58; w51 264; w50 495; el 175; w49 341; w47 9

1 Corinthians 13:2

move mountains: Or “transplant mountains.” Paul is apparently using an ancient figure of speech meaning “to make what seems impossible possible.”—Compare Mr 11:23, where a similar expression is used in connection with faith.

*
Or “I am useless.”

+1Co 12:8
+Mt 17:20
+1Jo 4:20

Research Guide

Close to Jehovah, p. 301
Publications Index
it-1 937; it-2 445; cl 301; w92 7/15 28; w90 11/15 12

w80 4/15 25; w78 9/15 18; w76 530; w61 11; el 175; w49 345

1 Corinthians 13:3

so that I may boast: In this context, the Greek verb kau·khaʹo·mai (to boast) conveys the sense of selfish pride. Speaking hypothetically, Paul says that if instead of love, such pride were his motive, he would give everything he owned to feed others or would even die a martyr’s death as a witness to the truth, but he would not benefit at all. (Pr 25:27b) Some manuscripts use a Greek verb that means “burn” instead of “boast,” and this reading is reflected in some Bible translations. However, the most reliable manuscripts use a word that means “boast.”

+Mt 6:2
+2Co 9:7

Publications Index
it-2 682; w92 7/15 28; w91 10/1 20-21

w80 4/15 25; w78 9/15 18; w76 323; w72 415; g72 7/22 27; w66 17; yb66 27; g61 10/22 4; w49 346

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love: In this famous description of love, Paul uses the same Greek term (a·gaʹpe) that is found at 1Jo 4:8-10, where John describes “the love of God.” Verse 8 even says that “God is love,” meaning that Jehovah is the very personification of love. (See study note on Joh 3:16.) Christian love is a quality that is best defined by describing how it acts. Christian love is synonymous with unselfishness and is guided by principle. Love guided by principle may not always include warm affection; the one who shows such love does so because it is the right thing to do. For example, a person may feel deeply hurt. However, he shows Christian love by refusing to “keep account of the injury.” (1Co 13:5) The godly love that Paul describes combines affectionate feelings of the heart with a mental determination to apply the righteous standards established by God.—See study notes on Mt 5:44; 22:37.

Love is patient: Or “love is long-suffering.” The Greek word could literally be rendered “having longness of spirit.” (Kingdom Interlinear) Both the verb and the noun forms denote calm endurance and slowness to anger. Patience is an aspect of the fruitage of God’s holy spirit (Ga 5:22), an identifying mark of a minister of God. (2Co 6:4-6; Col 3:12; 1Th 5:14; see App. A2.) Patience is a quality that Jehovah and Jesus constantly show in their dealings with humans. (Ro 2:4; 9:22; 1Ti 1:16; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:9, 15; see study note on Ga 5:22.) As imitators of Jesus and Jehovah, Christians are to show patience to others.—1Co 11:1; Eph 5:1.

Love is . . . kind: The Greek verb rendered “is . . . kind” (khre·steuʹo·mai) corresponds to the noun khre·stoʹtes (kindness), which is an aspect of “the fruitage of the spirit.” (Ga 5:22) Showing kindness involves taking an active interest in the welfare of others and engaging in friendly and helpful acts or favors. Kindness also involves thoughtfulness and consideration in responding to the needs of others, doing so in a gentle and friendly manner.—Col 3:12; Tit 3:4.

Love is not jealous: The Greek verb ze·loʹo conveys the idea of an intense emotion that can be either positive or negative. In this verse, it is rendered with the expression “to be jealous” because it conveys the idea of a negative emotion toward a suspected rival or one believed to be enjoying an advantage. The corresponding noun zeʹlos, often rendered “jealousy,” is listed among “the works of the flesh” at Ga 5:19-21. Such jealousy is selfish and spawns hatred, not love. Godly love is not jealous in an improper way but, rather, is trusting and hopeful, always acting in the interests of others.—1Co 13:4-7; for a positive connotation of the Greek verb, see the study note on 2Co 11:2.

+1Jo 4:8
+1Th 5:14
+Ro 13:10; Eph 4:32
+Ga 5:26
+1Pe 5:5

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
6/15/2014, p. 20

10/15/2002, p. 28

11/1/2001, pp. 15-16

Close to Jehovah, pp. 302-303, 305-306

“My Follower,” pp. 162-163
Publications Index
it-1 1260; it-2 277; w14 6/15 20; cl 302-303, 305-306; cf 162-163; w02 10/15 28; w01 11/1 15-16; w99 2/15 19-21; w95 9/15 14-19; w94 9/1 20; w93 10/15 19, 21; w92 7/15 28-29; w91 7/15 14; w89 10/15 18

g85 4/22 16; w80 2/15 6; w80 4/15 26-27; w78 6/15 4; w78 9/15 18-19; fl 35-36, 72-74; w74 439-440; g74 4/22 8; w73 292; w72 131-132; ad 1082; w65 196, 643; g65 8/22 4; w64 496; g64 6/8 4; w63 356; g63 3/22 7; w62 148; g62 8/22 28; g62 11/8 17; w61 13, 183; yb61 17, 20; w56 554; g51 3/8 25; w49 356

1 Corinthians 13:5

does not behave indecently: Or “is not rude; does not act improperly.” The Greek term translated “behave indecently” may include the idea of acting disgracefully in a moral sense or of conducting oneself rudely, lacking good manners, and acting in a way that dishonors others.

It does not keep account of the injury: The Greek verb lo·giʹzo·mai, here rendered “keep account of,” was regularly used in ancient times for accounting and numerical calculations. It was also used in the sense of “think about” or “dwell on.” (See Php 4:8, where this Greek verb is rendered “continue considering.”) A loving person does not keep a record of, or dwell on, “the injury [or “wrongs,” ftn.],” such as hurtful words or deeds, as if writing them in a ledger so as not to forget them. The same Greek verb is used at 2Co 5:19, where it says that in Jehovah’s dealings with his people, he is “not counting their offenses against them.”

+Ro 13:13; 1Co 14:40
+Ro 14:13, 15; 15:2; 1Co 10:24, 33; Php 2:4
+Mt 5:39; Jas 1:19
+Le 19:18; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13

Research Guide

The Watchtower (Study),
1/2016, p. 27

The Watchtower,
6/15/2014, pp. 20-21

8/1/2008, p. 15

Close to Jehovah, pp. 306-307

“My Follower,” pp. 163-169
Publications Index
it-1 604; it-2 277-278; w16.01 27; w14 6/15 20-21; cl 306-307; w08 8/1 15; cf 163-165, 167-169; w99 2/15 20-21; w93 10/15 19-20; w92 7/15 29; w89 6/15 14; w89 10/15 18-19

g85 4/22 16; g82 4/8 17; w80 4/1 15; w80 4/15 26-27; w78 2/15 30-32; w78 9/15 19-20; fl 61, 74-75; w74 440-441; g74 4/22 8; w72 132, 287; w72 565, 739; ad 1082; w65 205, 298-299, 350, 644; g65 1/8 4; w64 350, 499; g64 6/8 4; g63 1/22 4; g63 2/22 4; g63 7/22 4; w62 204; g62 7/22 4; w61 183, 708; yb61 17; w60 140-141; g60 7/22 4; w54 570, 735; w53 5; g51 3/8 25; w49 358

1 Corinthians 13:6

+Ro 12:9

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
6/15/2014, pp. 20-21

Close to Jehovah, pp. 303, 307-308

Awake!,
11/2008, pp. 8-9
Publications Index
it-2 278; w14 6/15 21; cl 303, 307-308; g 11/08 8-9; w99 2/15 20-21; w93 10/15 20-22; w92 7/15 29-30; w89 10/15 19

w80 4/15 26-27; w78 9/15 20; fl 75; w74 441; ad 1082; w64 500; g51 3/8 25; w49 360

1 Corinthians 13:7

It bears all things: A literal rendering is “all things it is covering.” (Kingdom Interlinear) According to some scholars, the verb is related to the Greek word for “roof.” A loving person figuratively covers over the imperfections and shortcomings of others by being slow to expose them and by keeping them confidential when no serious wrongdoing is involved. The Greek verb also conveys the idea “to bear up; endure,” such as at 1Co 9:12, where the same verb is translated “are enduring.”

+1Pe 4:8
+Ac 17:11
+Ro 8:25; 12:12
+1Th 1:3

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
6/15/2014, p. 21

12/15/2009, pp. 27-28

7/15/2000, p. 23

Close to Jehovah, pp. 303-305

“My Follower,” pp. 169-171
Publications Index
it-1 1139; it-2 278; w14 6/15 21; cl 303-305; w09 12/15 27-28; cf 169-171; w00 7/15 23; w99 2/15 21-22; w93 10/15 22; w92 7/15 30; w91 11/1 12-13; w89 10/15 19

w85 3/15 22; g85 4/22 16; w80 4/1 14; w80 4/15 26-27; w78 6/15 3-4; w78 9/15 20-21; fl 75-76, 156; w77 253; w76 718; w74 104; w74 441-442; w73 292; w72 132; ad 1082; w69 345; w64 500; w63 99; g63 7/22 4; w62 148, 420; w61 183; g51 3/8 25; w49 361

1 Corinthians 13:8

Love never fails: Love will never come to an end or cease to exist, for “God is love” and he is “the King of eternity.” (1Jo 4:16; 1Ti 1:17) Obedient humans will display such love throughout all eternity. Also, love is never found lacking or wanting. Love is equal to any occasion, to any challenge. It always produces a good result, or outcome.—1Co 13:13.

tongues: That is, miraculous speaking in other languages.—See study notes on Ac 2:4; 1Co 12:10.

knowledge: That is, the special knowledge that holy spirit imparted to some early Christians. The exact nature of such knowledge is not known. However, copies of God’s Word were not as easily available as they are today, so a person with the gift of knowledge would perhaps recall and grasp the application of a Bible text that he had read before, even though the congregation did not have the scroll available. Special knowledge, like the other miraculous gifts of the spirit, was a temporary provision that served to build up the Christian congregation in its early years.—See study note on 1Co 12:8.

it will be done away with: Lit., “it will be made ineffective.” By means of the holy spirit, God granted miraculous abilities to the apostles. They, in turn, could pass these special powers on to others. These abilities included the gift of prophecy, the miraculous ability to speak different languages, and the gift of special knowledge. However, these miraculous powers would pass away when the Christian congregation grew out of its early stage and reached maturity. (1Co 13:9-11) By then they would have served their purpose, having shown that the Christian congregation had God’s favor and backing.

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
6/15/2014, p. 21

12/15/2009, pp. 27-28

7/1/2003, p. 7

Close to Jehovah, pp. 308-309
Publications Index
it-1 128; it-2 278, 665, 693; w14 6/15 21; cl 308-309; w09 12/15 27-28; w03 7/1 7; w93 10/15 20-21; w92 7/15 30; w92 8/15 5; w89 10/15 19; rs 403-404

w81 8/15 6; w78 9/15 20-21; w78 12/15 30; fl 76; g78 1/22 27-28; g78 3/8 27; g76 7/22 26; w75 95-96; w74 442, 447; g74 12/22 27-28; w73 292; ka 391; w72 132; g72 11/8 7; w71 501; ad 92, 1083; w69 287-288, 541; li 107; w64 90, 286, 501; w63 74, 152, 342, 356; ln 36; g63 3/22 6; w61 183, 334; pa 152; w57 437; w51 264; w50 495; el 169; w49 340, 362; w48 282; w47 158

1 Corinthians 13:9

we have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially: According to Paul, these miraculous gifts of knowledge and prophecy were incomplete. Apparently, those with the gift of prophecy lacked complete knowledge of what they foretold and could disclose future events only partially. A more complete understanding of prophecy would have to wait until the time “when what is complete comes.” (1Co 13:10; see study note.) However, the early Christians had sufficient knowledge to fill their spiritual needs at the time.—Col 1:9, 10.

+Pr 4:18

Publications Index
w92 7/15 30-31

w81 12/1 19; el 177; w49 362; w47 158

1 Corinthians 13:10

when what is complete comes: The Greek word teʹlei·os (here rendered “what is complete”) may convey in various contexts the thought of being full-grown, perfect, or complete. Even though some Christians in the first century had the miraculous gifts of “prophecy” and “knowledge,” they understood God’s purpose only partially. (1Co 13:9) In this verse, “what is complete” refers to the full understanding of God’s purpose as revealed in the Bible. Christians will have complete understanding when Bible prophecy is completely fulfilled and God’s will regarding his purpose has been accomplished.

Publications Index
w92 7/15 30-31

w81 12/1 19; w75 95-96; w71 565; el 178; w49 362; w47 158

1 Corinthians 13:11

a child . . . a man: Paul uses the growth of a child to illustrate the progress of the Christian congregation. A child requires much assistance, but an adult does not. Similarly, at the time of Paul’s writing, the new Christian congregation benefited from the assistance of miraculous gifts, such as the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. For a time, these gifts were needed to show undeniably that God’s favor had shifted from the Jewish nation to the Christian congregation. (Heb 2:3, 4) But Paul shows that the congregation would eventually grow to adulthood, or reach maturity, and would no longer need those miraculous gifts.

Research Guide

Awake!,
10/2011, p. 5

The Watchtower,
9/1/2007, p. 22
Publications Index
g 10/11 5; w07 9/1 22; w92 7/15 31; w92 8/1 9-11

w85 5/1 8-10; g77 6/8 19; g72 11/8 7; w65 196; w63 343; w52 44; el 178; w49 363; w30 262

1 Corinthians 13:12

in hazy outline: Or “indistinctly.” The Greek term often refers to a riddle, but by extension it may mean something that is unclear, obscure, lacking detail.

a metal mirror: Mirrors in Bible times were generally made of polished metal—usually bronze but sometimes tin, copper, silver, or gold. While an ancient mirror was useful, viewing an object in one could not compare to looking directly at the object. Paul used the analogy of a mirror to illustrate that the early Christians’ understanding of certain spiritual matters, especially prophecies still unfulfilled, was limited. It was not yet God’s time to reveal certain things, so those Christians saw God’s purpose in hazy outline, as if they were looking at a blurred reflection of it. Paul here contrasts looking into a metal mirror with seeing clearly, face-to-face. This will happen when Christians comprehend God’s purpose in its entirety as Bible prophecy is fulfilled.

just as I am accurately known: That is, accurately known by God. Paul recognized that God knew him far better than he knew God. He also understood that he would know [Jehovah] accurately, that is, enjoy the most intimate relationship with Him after receiving his heavenly reward.

*
Or “I have incomplete (partial) knowledge.”
*
Or “fully.”

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
4/1/2015, p. 15

3/15/2000, p. 12
Publications Index
it-1 801; it-2 415; w15 4/1 15; w00 3/15 12; w92 7/15 31

w81 12/1 19; w80 7/1 32; w76 564; ad 560, 1167; w63 234; w60 104; el 178; w49 363

1 Corinthians 13:13

the greatest of these is love: God is from eternity to eternity, and his foremost quality is love. (Ps 90:2, ftn.; 1Jo 4:8) So love will always remain, and the love of his worshippers, who are to imitate him, will grow fuller and broader throughout eternity. (Eph 5:1) In this sense, love is superior to faith and hope. When God’s promises and prophecies are fulfilled, his servants will no longer need to exercise faith in those promises and prophecies; nor will his servants keep hoping for what has already come to pass. Therefore, love is the greatest of the qualities that Paul mentions.

+Mt 22:37; Ro 13:10

Research Guide

The Watchtower (Study),
10/2016, p. 30

The Watchtower,
7/15/2008, p. 27

Family Happiness, pp. 28-29
Publications Index
w16.10 30; w08 7/15 27; fy 29; w92 7/15 31; w91 9/15 19; w90 11/15 10-12, 15

w82 12/15 20-21; w80 6/1 3; w78 9/15 21; w73 390; w73 691; w65 664; w64 501; w63 355; w60 382; el 178; w49 355, 363; w47 9

Overview of 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 13:1

1 Corinthians 13:2

1 Corinthians 13:3

1 Corinthians 13:4

1 Corinthians 13:5

1 Corinthians 13:6

1 Corinthians 13:7

1 Corinthians 13:8

1 Corinthians 13:9

1 Corinthians 13:10

1 Corinthians 13:11

1 Corinthians 13:12

1 Corinthians 13:13

Parallel Translations

General

The First to the Corinthians