Chapter 13:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Romans 2 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 13
Concise Complete
The necessity and advantage of the grace of love.
(1-3) Its excellency represented by its properties and effects; (4-7) and by its
abiding, and its superiority. (8-13)
Verses 1-3
The excellent way had in view in the close of the former Chapter, is not what is
meant by charity in our common use of the word, almsgiving, but love in its
fullest meaning; true love to God and man. Without this, the most glorious gifts
are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. A clear head 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 do none to us, if it be not done
from love to God, and good-will to men. If we give away all we have, while we
withhold the heart from God, it will not profit. Nor even the most painful
sufferings. How are those deluded who look for acceptance and reward for their
good works, which are as scanty and defective as they are corrupt and selfish!
Verses 4-7
Some of the effects of charity are stated, that we may know whether we have this
grace; and that if we have not, we may not rest till we have it. This love is a
clear proof of regeneration, and is 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 to ourselves, or that the charitable man should neglect
himself and all his interests. But charity never seeks its own to the hurt of
others, or to neglect others. It ever prefers the welfare of others to its
private advantage. How good-natured and amiable is Christian charity! How
excellent would Christianity 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 becoming behaviour to
all men? Are we willing to lay aside selfish objects and aims? Here is a call to
watchfulness, diligence, and prayer.
Verses
8-13 Charity is much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians
prided themselves. From 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, have children when compared with grown men! Thus
shall we 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 the light of heaven only, 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 thereto, 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 shall perfectly love God. And there we shall perfectly love one
another. Blessed state! how much surpassing
1 john seen as he is, and face
to face, there charity is in its greatest height; there only will it be
perfected.
Chapter 13:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Romans 2 Corinthians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
