1 Corinthians 13 3

1 Corinthians 13:3 kjv

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:3 nkjv

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:3 niv

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:3 esv

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:3 nlt

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.

1 Corinthians 13 verses

1 Corinthians 13 3 meaning

The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:3, forcefully declares that even the most extreme acts of outward charity and self-sacrifice, though appearing noble and virtuous, are utterly devoid of spiritual value if they are not motivated by genuine agape love. He presents two maximal hypothetical scenarios: complete divestment of all possessions to the poor, and suffering the ultimate sacrifice of being burned alive. In both cases, without love as the underlying motive, such deeds are dismissed as profitless, implying they hold no merit in God's eyes and offer no eternal reward or benefit to the doer. The verse underscores that God primarily scrutinizes the heart's intent, not just the outward act.

1 Corinthians 13 3 Context

1 Corinthians 13 stands as the apex of Paul's discourse on spiritual gifts (Chapters 12-14), nestled between his explanation of the diverse but unified nature of spiritual gifts (Chapter 12) and their proper and orderly exercise within the church (Chapter 14). The Corinthian church was plagued by factions, pride, and an overemphasis on more "spectacular" gifts like speaking in tongues and prophecy, leading to spiritual arrogance and disunity. In this immediate context, Paul has just established that believers, as parts of Christ's body, possess various gifts but must function interdependently with genuine care for one another. To counter their pursuit of showy gifts and their spiritual immaturity, Paul presents agape love not as just another gift, but as "a still more excellent way" (1 Cor 12:31). Verse 3 extends the arguments of verses 1-2, showing that even the most supreme acts of external piety—material self-sacrifice and ultimate martyrdom—are meaningless without love, thus underscoring love's absolute preeminence over all other spiritual achievements and endeavors. This serves as a direct polemic against any notion that outward religious performance or intellectual superiority could be valued above humble, self-giving love.

1 Corinthians 13 3 Word analysis

• And though I bestow (KJV) / If I give away:
  • Greek: κἀν παραδῶ (kan paradō), a contracted form of καὶ ἐὰν παραδῶ (kai ean paradō). καὶ (kai) means "and" or "even," here functioning to introduce another extreme hypothetical case. ἐὰν (ean) means "if," denoting a condition or possibility. παραδῶ (paradō), from παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi), means "to hand over, give over, surrender completely." This powerful verb highlights a decisive and total act of giving.
• all my goods (KJV) / all I have:
  • Greek: πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντά μου (panta ta hyparchonta mou). πάντα (panta) means "all," and τὰ ὑπάρχοντά μου (ta hyparchonta mou) refers to "my possessions, all that belongs to me, my entire estate." This signifies a total and radical divestment of all material wealth.
• to feed the poor:
  • Greek: ψωμίσαι (psōmisai). From ψωμίζω (psōmizō), meaning "to feed with morsels, to give food to, to dole out food systematically." This denotes meticulous care and provision for the needy, often seen as a peak act of charity and piety in the ancient world, common among philanthropists and even Cynic philosophers.
• and though I give my body (KJV) / and if I deliver my body:
  • Greek: κἀν παραδῶ τὸ σῶμά μου (kan paradō to sōma mou). The same παραδῶ (paradō) as above, indicating a complete surrender of one's physical being. The repetition of the verb emphasizes the intentional and absolute nature of the act.
• to be burned:
  • Greek: ἵνα καυθήσωμαι (hina kauthēsōmai). ἵνα (hina) means "in order that" or "for the purpose of." καυθήσωμαι (kauthēsōmai), from καίω (kaiō), means "I may be burned, be consumed by fire." This refers to ultimate physical destruction, commonly understood as a reference to martyrdom or an extreme act of self-sacrifice. It points to giving up one's very life in the most agonizing manner imaginable. While some rare manuscripts present καυχἠσωμαι (kaukhēsomai) meaning "to boast," the vast majority of textual evidence strongly supports "to be burned" as fitting the context of supreme self-sacrifice.
• but have not charity (KJV) / but have not love:
  • Greek: ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω (agapēn de mē echō). ἀγάπην (agapēn) is agape love, a distinctive New Testament term for God's unconditional, self-giving love, which is distinct from human affections (philia or eros). δὲ (de) is "but" or "however," introducing a strong contrast. μὴ ἔχω (mē echō) is "I may not have," highlighting the absence of this crucial element.
• it profiteth me nothing (KJV) / I gain nothing:
  • Greek: οὐδὲν ὠφελοῦμαι (ouden ōpheloumai). οὐδὲν (ouden) means "nothing at all, by no means." ὠφελοῦμαι (ōpheloumai), from ὠφελέω (ōpheleō), means "to benefit, profit, be useful, be helped." The passive voice emphasizes that no spiritual benefit or eternal reward accrues to the person; their acts are worthless in the eyes of God.

Words-group analysis:

• If I give away all I have...to feed the poor: This phrase represents ultimate material self-sacrifice, generosity, and charitable giving. It illustrates the highest human act of social concern, providing completely for the most vulnerable.
• and if I deliver my body to be burned: This phrase signifies the ultimate physical self-sacrifice, a radical act of devotion, often understood as martyrdom. It implies giving up life itself in a painful and complete manner, arguably the most profound act of personal surrender possible.
• but have not love: This is the crucial conditional clause. Regardless of the magnitude of the preceding sacrifices, the absence of agape love renders them void. This highlights that love is not merely one virtue among many but the indispensable motivation.
• I gain nothing: This declarative statement reveals the grave consequence. Without love, all those impressive and painful acts amount to zero spiritual profit, offering no eternal benefit, reward, or spiritual growth for the individual.

1 Corinthians 13 3 Bonus section

The inclusion of "deliver my body to be burned" is a striking image, indicating the most extreme form of self-sacrifice. In the ancient world, some individuals practiced self-immolation for philosophical reasons or for public spectacle, distinct from Christian martyrdom which arose later as persecution intensified. Paul uses this extreme scenario to preclude any escape from his argument: even facing a horrifying death for one's beliefs, if not rooted in agape love, does not confer spiritual merit. This radical stance differentiates true biblical spirituality from outward conformity or even extreme zeal lacking the transformative power of God's love. It serves as a perennial warning against mistaking performative righteousness for genuine, Spirit-led devotion.

1 Corinthians 13 3 Commentary

1 Corinthians 13:3 drives home a foundational truth: the divine assessment of human actions is based not on their outward impressiveness or self-sacrificial nature, but on the purity and quality of their underlying motivation—agape love. Paul uses hyperbole, citing acts of total material charity and voluntary martyrdom, recognized in the ancient world as pinnacle virtues, to show that without love, they are stripped of spiritual significance. This love is not a mere sentiment but a Spirit-empowered commitment to the good of others, flowing from God's character. Acts devoid of this divine love may be performed for pride, recognition, legalistic duty, or even a misguided sense of devotion, but they lack the genuine connection to God that bestows eternal value. The verse profoundly critiques all forms of performative religion or activism that lack a truly Christ-like, self-giving heart, emphasizing that God judges the heart.