1 Corinthians 13

Chapter 13 of the First Epistle to the Corinthians, written by Paul the apostle[1] covers the subject of love, principally the love that Christians should have for everyone. In the original Greek, the word αγαπη agape is used throughout. This is translated into English as charity in the King James version; but the word love is preferred by most other translations, both earlier and more recent.

Contents

Historical and literary context

1 Corinthians illuminates the early church's efforts to define itself, not only in terms of doctrine, but also allegiance to spiritual leaders such as Peter, Paul, Apollos and Jesus.[2] A significant portion of the preceding chapter (1 Corinthians 12:1-10) focuses on the issue of spiritual gifts, and there appear to have been interpersonal conflicts based upon the possession of such gifts, including speaking in tongues or prophecy.[3] Paul tells his audience that they may have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but unless they first have love, these gifts mean nothing:

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 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 love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing. (King James version with "charity" rendered as "love")

Description of agape

A description of agape forms a major passage in 1 Corinthians 13, running from verse 4 to the end.

4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Love 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. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall 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 now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (King James version with "charity" rendered as "love")

According to the author, agape:

"Through a glass, darkly"

1 Corinthians 13:12 contains the phrase βλεπομεν γαρ αρτι δι εσοπτρου εν αινιγματι (blepomen gar arti di esoptrou en ainigmati), which is rendered in the KJV as "For now we see through a glass, darkly." This passage has inspired the titles of many works.

The word εσοπτρου ("esoptrou", from εσοπτροv, "esoptron") here translated glass is ambiguous, possibly referring to a mirror or a lens. Influenced by Strong's Concordance, many modern translations conclude that this word refers specifically to a mirror.[4] Example English language translations include:

Paul's usage is in keeping with rabbinic use of the term אספקלריה (aspaklaria), a borrowing from the Latin specularia. This has the same ambiguous meaning, although Adam Clarke concluded that it was a reference to specularibus lapidibus, clear polished stones used as lenses or windows.[5] One way to preserve this ambiguity is to use the English cognate, speculum.[6] Rabbi Judah ben Ilai (2nd century) was quoted as saying "All the prophets had a vision of God as He appeared through nine specula" while "Moses saw God through one speculum."[7] The Babylonian Talmud states similarly "All the prophets gazed through a speculum that does not shine, while Moses our teacher gazed through a speculum that shines."[8]

Other notable passages

There are two other passages from 1 Corinthians 13 which have been notably influential.

Firstly, verse 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" (KJV).

U.S. President Barack Obama referenced verse 11 in his inaugural address to the nation on January 20, 2009.[9]

Secondly, verse 13, in praise of the Theological virtues:

νυνι δε μενει πιστις ελπις αγαπη τα τρια ταυτα μειζων δε τουτων η αγαπη
"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." (NRSV)

British Prime Minister Tony Blair read 1 Corinthians 13 at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.[10]

References

  1. ^ New Testament Study Helps: Paul's Letters to the Corinthians at theologywebsite.com
  2. ^ Latourette, Kenneth Scott, A History of Christianity, Volume 1: Beginnings to 1500, p. 114, © 1975 Harper & Row Publishers, Inc., ISBN 0-06-064952-6
  3. ^ Henry, Matthew, Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation): First Corinthians Chap. XII, Public domain, Library of Congress call no: BS490.H4, at Christian Classics Ethereal Library
  4. ^ Entry: εσοπτρον (espotron - Strong's 2072), retrieved from blueletterbible.org
  5. ^ Adam Clarke, Commentary on the New Testament, Vol. II, J. Butterworth & Son, London, 1817; commentary on 1 Corinthians 12.
  6. ^ Gordon Tucker, translator's footnote to Abraham Joshua Heschel, 'Heavenly Torah as Refracted Through the Generations,' Continum, New York, 2008; page 308.
  7. ^ Leviticus Rabbah 1:14.
  8. ^ B.T. Yevamot 49B
  9. ^ "Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address". The New York Times. 20 January 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/us/politics/20text-obama.html?_r=1. Retrieved 23 December 2009. "We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things." 
  10. ^ "The Funeral Service of Diana, Princess Wales". BBC. 6 September 1997. http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/diana/order.html#blair. Retrieved 23 December 2009. 

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