1 Corinthians 13
2 Corinthians 13 is the final part of the letter Paul sends to the church in Corinth. It consists of Paul defending his apostleship while, at the same time, urging the church to stand firm in the faith. Paul intends to visit the Corinthian church for the third time, and he lets them know that firm action will be unavoidable if the community does not repent. However, his purpose is more about love and restoration than about discipline.
1verseIf I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2verseIf I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.
3verseIf I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.
4verseLove is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
5versedoesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;
6versedoesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7versebears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
8verseLove never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
9verseFor we know in part and we prophesy in part;
10versebut when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with.
11verseWhen I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.
12verseFor now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.
13verseBut now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
Bible Passage Structure and Flow
- Verses 1–4: Paul tells them in advance that he is going to visit Corinth soon and that he will point out problems repeatedly. He also mentions the principle of witnesses (confirmed by the testimony of two or three), emphasizing fairness.
- Verses 5–8: He urges the members of the Corinthian church to “test” themselves, to check whether they are in the faith. This is not meant to prove Paul’s own authority, but to help the community examine their faith themselves. True faith is revealed in its fruit and in life.
- Verses 9–10: Paul states that he genuinely desires the restoration and maturity of the saints. He also emphasizes again that the purpose of exercising authority is to build up the church.
- Verses 11–13: With final exhortation and greetings, the letter closes by emphasizing harmony and peace, as well as mutual acceptance and love.
Meditation Points
- You can reflect on how important it is to take the posture of a “self-test,” seriously looking back on one’s faith and life.
- As Paul urges, you can also realize that in the life of a faith community, in order to build love and harmony, you need a heart that encourages one another and helps one another stand firm.
- Remember that the role of a leader is meant for the restoration and maturity of the community, not for simple reprimand or exercising power.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Today, I reflect on whether my faith is being shown well in my life, and whether I’m doing a periodic “self-check.”
- Think about what small practices I can take to bring about harmony and love in the community I belong to (home, church, workplace, etc.).
- When correcting or encouraging someone, I look back on whether I’m approaching them with the heart that truly desires restoration and growth, just as Paul did.
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