1 Corinthians 13:6 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
1 Corinthians 13:6 kjv
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1 Corinthians 13:6 nkjv
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
1 Corinthians 13:6 niv
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinthians 13:6 esv
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinthians 13:6 nlt
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
1 Corinthians 13 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 5:4 | For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil cannot dwell with you. | God Himself does not delight in evil. |
| Ps 97:10 | Let those who love the Lord hate evil... | Those who love God must hate evil. |
| Ps 119:104 | Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. | Understanding God's word leads to hating evil. |
| Ps 119:163 | I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. | David's delight in God's law and hatred of lies. |
| Prov 17:5 | Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. | Warning against taking joy in others' misfortune. |
| Prov 24:17-18 | Do not rejoice when your enemy falls... | Prohibition against celebrating an enemy's downfall. |
| Prov 23:23 | Buy truth, and do not sell it... | The supreme value and permanence of truth. |
| Isa 5:20 | Woe to those who call evil good and good evil... | Condemnation of moral inversion, distortion of truth. |
| Amos 5:15 | Hate evil, love good; establish justice... | Direct command to actively reject evil and embrace good. |
| Hab 1:3 | Why do you make me see iniquity... strife and violence? | The prophet grieves over prevalent injustice and evil. |
| Rom 1:32 | Though they know God's righteous decree... they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. | Approving of sin is akin to delighting in evil. |
| Rom 12:9 | Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. | Genuine love actively hates evil and cleaves to good. |
| Eph 4:15 | Rather, speaking the truth in love... | The interplay between truth and love in conduct. |
| Eph 5:8-11 | For at one time you were darkness... take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness... | Call to shun evil deeds and expose them, living as children of light. |
| Phil 4:8 | Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble... think about these things. | Christian focus should be on positive, truthful things. |
| John 8:32 | And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. | The transformative and liberating power of truth. |
| John 14:6 | Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life..." | Jesus Christ as the embodiment of truth. |
| Gal 5:7-8 | You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from Him who calls you. | Warning against deviating from the truth. |
| 2 Jn 1:4 | I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth... | The Apostle's joy when believers live according to truth. |
| 3 Jn 1:4 | I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. | Similar sentiment from John, highlighting joy in truthful living. |
| 1 Pet 3:10-11 | Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil... turn away from evil and do good. | Connecting love of life with abstaining from evil and doing good. |
| Jas 3:13-17 | Who is wise and understanding among you?... but the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy... | The contrast between earthly, evil wisdom and heavenly, pure wisdom which loves truth. |
| 1 John 1:6 | If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. | Truth requires walking in light, not darkness. |
1 Corinthians 13 verses
1 Corinthians 13 6 meaning
True agape love is not characterized by taking pleasure or finding satisfaction in anything that is unjust, wrong, or contrary to God's holy standards. Instead, it actively and joyfully aligns itself with, supports, and celebrates that which is right, truthful, and in accordance with God's revealed will. This verse establishes love's inherent moral compass, demonstrating that it is neither passive nor complicit with sin, but an active champion of righteousness and truth.
1 Corinthians 13 6 Context
1 Corinthians 13:6 is an integral part of Paul's iconic discourse on agape love, often referred to as the "love chapter." This chapter is strategically placed between his discussions of spiritual gifts in chapters 12 and 14, serving to underscore that love is the indispensable foundation for the proper exercise and effectiveness of all spiritual manifestations. The Corinthian church, to whom Paul was writing, was fraught with internal divisions, arrogance, and moral failings (e.g., litigation among believers, sexual immorality, pride over spiritual gifts without corresponding humble service). In this context, the description of love "not delighting in evil but rejoicing with the truth" directly challenges Corinthian tendencies towards gossiping, taking pleasure in others' shortcomings (especially within rival factions), tolerating or even celebrating certain immoral behaviors, and a valuing of knowledge or rhetorical skill over genuine righteous conduct. Paul establishes that true Christian love has an active moral stance; it cannot be indifferent to sin or injustice, nor can it take delight in such things, but must wholeheartedly affirm and celebrate ethical integrity and divine truth.
1 Corinthians 13 6 Word analysis
- Love (ἀγάπη, agapē): This is a distinct and profound form of love in the Greek New Testament. Unlike
philia(affectionate love) oreros(romantic/passionate love), agapē is often described as self-sacrificing, benevolent, and principled love, actively given by the will rather than simply felt as an emotion. It is divine in origin and serves as a primary attribute of God (1 Jn 4:8,16). Throughout 1 Corinthians 13, agapē is depicted as an active, characteristic quality of Christian living. - Does not delight (οὐ χαίρει, ou chairei): The Greek negative
οὐsignifies an absolute and objective negation ("not at all," "certainly not").χαίρει(from chairō) means "to rejoice," "to be glad," or "to delight." Combined, it denotes a firm moral stance: love finds no internal pleasure, satisfaction, or sympathetic joy in observing or hearing about wrong. It's an active aversion, not merely passive disinterest. - in evil (ἐπὶ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, epi tē adikia):
ἐπί (epi): The preposition here suggests a basis or ground for delight, or being "over" or "upon" something. So, delight is not founded "upon" evil.ἀδικίᾳ (adikia): This term means "unrighteousness," "injustice," "wrongdoing," or "wickedness." It broadly refers to a deviation from what is right and just, both in terms of human moral standards and especially God's divine standard. It encompasses both moral failing and social injustice.
- but (δὲ, de): This conjunction introduces a contrasting statement, highlighting the alternative and righteous disposition of love.
- rejoices with (συγκαίρει, sygchairei): This word is a compound of
σύν (syn), meaning "with" or "together with," andχαίρει (chairei), "rejoices." Thesyn-prefix is significant: it means love finds joy alongside the truth, participating in the truth's triumph and alignment. It signifies shared gladness, a sympathetic and collaborative rejoicing with truth, almost personifying truth itself. - the truth (τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, tē alētheia):
ἀληθείᾳ (alētheia)refers to truth in its fullest biblical sense: not merely factual correctness, but reality, integrity, fidelity, moral uprightness, and God's revealed truth. It encompasses the Gospel, ethical standards, and ultimately the person of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). It is the direct antithesis ofἀδικία. - "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth": This phrase embodies a powerful moral antithesis. Love's fundamental orientation is toward what is right and true. It actively turns away from
adikia(unrighteousness, wickedness) and actively turns towardsalētheia(truth, righteousness). This shows love is not indiscriminate acceptance; it is a discerning and ethically committed force, having a strong moral compass rooted in God's character. This highlights love's active role in affirming righteousness and rejecting unrighteousness.
1 Corinthians 13 6 Bonus section
The explicit contrast between ἀδικίᾳ (unrighteousness) and ἀληθείᾳ (truth) is deeply significant. In biblical thought, unrighteousness is often presented as a perversion or rejection of God's truth, while truth is the foundation of righteousness. Thus, to delight in evil is to delight in what distorts or opposes God's reality, and to rejoice with the truth is to celebrate what conforms to God's reality. This verse challenges any notion of love as a boundless, uncritical acceptance of all behaviors and beliefs. Instead, it asserts that genuine love has inherent boundaries and a defined moral alignment, which means an uncompromising commitment to righteousness and truth. It encourages believers to cultivate affections that are properly ordered towards God's values, steering them away from both outward acts and inward sentiments that contradict His holy character. This quality of love is essential for discerning wisdom, for true unity, and for reflecting God's nature in the world.
1 Corinthians 13 6 Commentary
1 Corinthians 13:6 delivers a crucial insight into the active and discerning moral character of agape love. Far from being a soft, tolerant sentiment, this love actively refuses to take any pleasure in injustice, wrongdoing, or falsehood—whether committed by oneself or others. This extends beyond merely refraining from evil to not even finding satisfaction or amusement in it (e.g., gossip, Schadenfreude, or celebrating the downfall of an opponent based on untruths). Conversely, true love wholeheartedly finds its joy and aligns itself with what is true, just, and morally right. It champions truth, celebrates integrity, and seeks to see righteousness prevail. This moral boundary is not arbitrary; it roots love directly in the nature of God Himself, who is light and in whom there is no darkness. Therefore, genuine Christian love cannot be separated from ethical uprightness and a commitment to divine truth. It necessitates standing firm against evil and celebrating all that aligns with God's perfect standard. For practical application, this means actively seeking out truth, speaking truth, correcting falsehoods, celebrating justice, and mourning injustice, rather than silently assenting to wrong or finding entertainment in human failings.