1 Corinthians 13

The Way of Love

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of a prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, b so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And c though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body 1 to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 d Love suffers long and is e kind; love f does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not 2 puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, g does not seek its own, is not provoked, 3 thinks no evil; 6 h does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 j bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 k For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is 4 perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For l now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then m face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

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

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 7:22
    "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
    1 Corinthians 12:8 - 10
    For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit.
    1 Corinthians 12:28
    And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
    1 Corinthians 14:1
    Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 17:20
    So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
    Matthew 21:21
    So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done.
    Mark 11:23
    For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
    Luke 17:6
    So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 6:1
    Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
    Matthew 6:2
    Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
  4. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:12
    Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
    Proverbs 17:9
    He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
    1 Thessalonians 5:14
    Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
    1 Peter 4:8
    And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins.
  5. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:32
    And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
  6. Cross References
    Galatians 5:26
    Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
  7. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:24
    Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
    Philippians 2:4
    Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 10:3
    For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD.
    Romans 1:32
    Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 15:1
    We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
    Galatians 6:2
    Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
    2 Timothy 2:24
    And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.
  10. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:2
    And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
    1 Corinthians 13:12
    For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
  11. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:18
    But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
    2 Corinthians 5:7
    For we walk by faith, not by sight.
    Philippians 3:12
    Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
    James 1:23
    For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror.
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 32:30
    So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
    Numbers 12:8
    I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?
    Matthew 18:10
    Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
    1 John 3:2
    Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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