1 Corinthians 13 13

1 Corinthians 13:13 kjv

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 13:13 nkjv

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 niv

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 esv

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 nlt

Three things will last forever ? faith, hope, and love ? and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13 verses

1 Corinthians 13 13 meaning

This verse serves as the powerful conclusion to Paul's treatise on love in 1 Corinthians 13. It declares the enduring nature of three foundational Christian virtues: faith, hope, and love, affirming that they are permanent fixtures in the life of a believer, contrasting them with the temporary spiritual gifts previously discussed. Of these three, love is elevated to the supreme position, not only outlasting the others in a certain sense but also being intrinsically greater, as it most perfectly reflects the character of God and encapsulates the ultimate goal of Christian existence.

1 Corinthians 13 13 Context

First Corinthians chapter 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter," is nestled within a larger discussion about spiritual gifts (chapters 12 and 14). The Corinthian church was experiencing divisions and an overemphasis on flashy, miraculous gifts like speaking in tongues and prophecy, leading to spiritual pride and disorder in worship. Paul first emphasizes the unity of the church as one body with diverse gifts, each essential (chapter 12). He then introduces "the most excellent way," which is love (1 Cor 12:31), and dedicates chapter 13 to defining and extolling its supreme importance.

The preceding verses (1 Cor 13:1-7) contrast love with impressive gifts, showing that without love, gifts are meaningless. Verses 8-12 establish the temporary nature of spiritual gifts, which are necessary for the church's present immature state, but will pass away when "perfection comes," understood as the full revelation of Christ or the eternal state. Love, however, endures. Verse 13 brings this argument to its climax, presenting faith, hope, and love as the remaining, permanent virtues, with love standing as the greatest. It directly counters any inclination of the Corinthians to prioritize transient displays over foundational character.

1 Corinthians 13 13 Word analysis

• And now (νυνὶ δὲ - nyni de):
  • Significance: "And now" marks a transitional moment. Nyni in Greek indicates a present reality, an immediate consequence of the previous discussion. It highlights the present state after the cessation of temporary gifts mentioned in the preceding verses. It suggests that even in our current spiritual journey, and certainly into eternity, these virtues hold.
• these three (ταῦτα τὰ τρία - tauta ta tria):
  • Significance: This refers back explicitly to faith, hope, and love. It draws a clear contrast with the transient spiritual gifts discussed from 1 Cor 13:8-12, such as prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. These specific three are distinct from temporary phenomena.
• remain (μένει - menei):
  • Significance: The verb menei signifies "abides," "continues," or "endures." It conveys permanence and steadfastness. While spiritual gifts serve a temporal purpose in the earthly life of the church, faith, hope, and love are not limited to this present age; they continue into eternity. This abiding quality is a key reason for their superiority.
• faith (πίστις - pistis):
  • Significance: Pistis denotes conviction, trust, and active reliance on God and His promises. It's not mere intellectual assent but a profound commitment. It is fundamental for salvation (Eph 2:8) and for pleasing God (Heb 11:6). While we walk by faith and not by sight in this life, even in the "seeing" of the next, elements of trust and knowing God's faithfulness will continue.
• hope (ἐλπίς - elpis):
  • Significance: Elpis is a confident, joyful, and assured expectation of what God has promised, especially eternal life and the return of Christ. It's not a mere wish but an anchor for the soul, founded on God's character and word. Even in eternity, a future dimension of hope, a constant yearning for deeper communion with God, remains.
• love (ἀγάπη - agapē):
  • Significance: Agapē describes divine, unconditional, self-sacrificial love, as modeled by God himself. It's not primarily an emotion but a deliberate choice and action for the well-being of others. It is the defining characteristic of God (1 Jn 4:8,16) and the greatest commandment (Mt 22:37-39). It is explicitly stated earlier that "love never fails" (1 Cor 13:8), reinforcing its eternal nature.
• But the greatest (μείζων δὲ - meizon de):
  • Significance: Meizon is a comparative adjective meaning "greater" or "superior." This isn't a mere suggestion but a declarative statement of hierarchical value. It is a divine ordering. The de functions as a strong contrast, emphasizing the upcoming declaration.
• of these (τούτων - touton):
  • Significance: Refers back directly to the list: faith, hope, and love. The comparison is drawn strictly from these three abiding virtues.
• is love (ἡ ἀγάπη - hē agapē):
  • Significance: This final clause states the ultimate conclusion. Love is preeminent.

Words-group analysis:

• And now these three remain: faith, hope and love: This phrase clearly demarcates the permanent from the transient. The "now" grounds these virtues in the present age, while "remain" points to their enduring quality, distinguishing them from spiritual gifts that are "passing away" (v. 8). They form a distinct and essential triad, often referred to as the "theological virtues" because they relate directly to God. They summarize the essence of Christian experience and belief.
• But the greatest of these is love: This concluding declaration highlights love's ultimate supremacy. Love encompasses and fulfills the spirit of faith and hope. Faith provides the foundation for our relationship with God, hope provides the forward-looking vision of His promises, but love is the essence of God and the perfection towards which both faith and hope ultimately lead. In the presence of Christ, faith will be sight, and hope will be realized, but love, being God's very nature, continues eternally and finds its perfect expression.

1 Corinthians 13 13 Bonus section

This verse is often referred to as the capstone of Christian virtues. Faith enables us to connect with God and receive His grace. Hope sustains us through trials, pointing to God's promised future. Love, however, is the very environment of God and the essence of our commanded interaction with Him and one another. Some interpretations suggest that while faith and hope will, in some sense, be absorbed into sight and fulfillment in the eschatological reality (when we see Christ face-to-face), agape will always remain as the fundamental attribute defining the eternal communion within the Godhead and among His redeemed. It represents the very telos (goal or end) of Christian living. This triad forms the essential framework of Christian character and spirituality, moving believers beyond performance or display towards an abiding reality.

1 Corinthians 13 13 Commentary

First Corinthians 13:13 distills the entire "love chapter" into a concise and memorable summary, firmly establishing the enduring nature of faith, hope, and love over fleeting spiritual gifts. While gifts served a purpose in the church's infancy, preparing it for maturity, these three virtues are fundamental to the believer's walk in any age, enduring into eternity. Love's supremacy is declared because it never fails, it embodies God's very character, it motivates both faith and hope, and it is the ultimate fulfillment of God's law. In the age to come, faith will transition to sight as we fully apprehend God, and hope will give way to realization as His promises are fully manifest, yet love will persist and be perfected, for God is love. This verse serves as a crucial redirect for believers to prioritize selfless, divine love above any temporary manifestation or earthly achievement.