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All of 1 Corinthians

Bible Chapter Summary

1 Corinthians 13 Summary

The Greatest Is Love

Paul elevates love above all spiritual gifts, declaring that without love, even the most impressive abilities are nothing. He describes the character of love: patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not self-seeking, enduring all things. He concludes that faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love.

Key themes

The supremacy of loveThe character of genuine loveLove as the foundation of Christian lifeThe permanence of love

Key verses

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

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