Keraia
1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:2

Love · 1 Corinthians 13:1–13
Read 1 Corinthians 13

Translations

Modern
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Traditional
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Literal
And if I should have prophecy and should understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Latin
Et si habuero prophetiam, et noverim mysteria omnia, et omnem scientiam: et si habuero omnem fidem ita ut montes transferam, caritatem autem non habuero, nihil sum.

Original

Greek
English
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Notes

1 Corinthians 13:2

If I … can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge: might refer to the gift of "special knowledge" (12:8).

1 Corinthians 13:1–3

Spiritual gifts do not determine our worth to God or the church. Without love, spiritual gifts have no value.

1 Corinthians 13:1–13

Paul pauses his discussion of spiritual gifts (which he continues in chapter 14) to stress that love is more important than any spiritual gift (see 8:1–3). The most important goal for Christians is to become deeply and consistently loving individuals.

1 Corinthians 12:1–14:40

The church in Corinth focused too much on the gift of speaking in tongues (see 14:1–25, 27; compare the lists in 12:8–10, 28, where Paul lists tongues last). Paul offers advice to correct their understanding of the value and use of spiritual gifts.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Clement, Epistle of Faith First Letter to the Corinthians Love Music Mystery Poetry, Biblical Prophecy Spiritual Gifts

Topics

Charitableness: General Scriptures Concerning Christian Conduct: Loving One Another Gifts from God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to Both Temporal and Spiritual Graces: (Christian) Love of Man for Man Love to Man: Supernatural Gifts are Nothing Without Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Might be Possessed Without Saving Grace Moving Mountains Prophecy: Gift of, Sometimes Possessed by Unconverted Men Religion: True Righteousness: Fruits of Sanctification: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Select Readings: Charity Self Sacrifice Uncharitableness: General Scriptures Concerning Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation