Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
What does 1 Corinthians 13:8 mean?
Charity is much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves. From its longer continuance.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:8
Charity never faileth - Paul here proceeds to illustrate the value of love, from its "permanency" as compared with other valued endowments. It is valuable, and is to be sought because it will always abide; may be always exercised; is adapted to all circumstances, and to all worlds in which we may be placed, or in which we may dwell. The word rendered "faileth" (εκπιπτει ekpiptei) denotes properly to fall out of, to fall from or off; and may be applied to the stars of heaven falling Mark 13:25 , or to flowers that fall or fade James 1:11 ; 1 Peter 1:24 , or to chains falling from the hands, etc.; Acts 12:7 .
Key words
- faileth
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faileth.; Acts 12:7 .
- Charity
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Charity never faileth,.
- never
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Charity never faileth,.
Context in 1 Corinthians 13
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1 Corinthians 13 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as the resurrection chapter and closing. First Corinthians is a pastoral and doctrinal letter correcting divisions while teaching about holiness, worship, gifts, and resurrection. Read this chapter with the wider themes of the cross, church order, and holiness in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.
Verses on the fear of the Lord, wise speech, practical judgment, teachability, and the difference between biblical wisdom and mere cleverness.
Bible verses about eternal life
Core passages on everlasting life, union with Christ, resurrection hope, judgment, and the promise of life beyond death.
Glossary
- Tongues, Confusion of People
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At Babel, the cause of the early separation of mankind and their division into nations. The descendants of Noah built a tower to prevent their dispersion; but God “confounded their language”.