1 Corinthians 13:13

← 1 Corinthians 13:12 →

1 Corinthians 13:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Bible in Basic English BBE

But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Free Bible Version FBV

Trust, hope, and love last forever—but the most important is love.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And nowe abideth faith, hope and loue, euen these three: but the chiefest of these is loue.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and now there doth remain faith, hope, love — these three; and the greatest of these [is] love.

World English Bible WEB

But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

Translation for Translators T4T

So now there are three things that we must continue to do: To trust in God, to confidently expect to receive what he will give us, and to love others. But the greatest of those three things is loving others.

Plain English Version PEV

So I’m saying there are 3 important things for us to keep on doing. – We have to keep on believing in God. – We have to keep on knowing for sure that God will be good to us. – We have to keep on loving God and people. We have to keep on doing those 3 things, and the most important one is this, – We have to keep on loving God and people.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 13:13

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Corinthians 13:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK νυνι δε μενει πιστις ελπις αγαπη τα τρια ταυτα μειζων δε τουτων η αγαπη

νυνι nuni G3570 now Adv

δε de G1161 then Conj

μενει menō G3306 to stay Verb-PAI-3S

πιστις pistis G4102 faith Noun-NSF

ελπις elpis G1680 hope Noun-NSF

αγαπη agapē G26 love Noun-NSF

τα ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPN

τρια treis G5140 Three Adj-NPN

ταυτα ohutos G3778 this/he/she/it Dem-NPN

μειζων megas G3173 great Adj-NSF-C

δε de G1161 then Conj

τουτων ohutos G3778 this/he/she/it Dem-GPN

η ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSF

αγαπη agapē G26 love Noun-NSF

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 13:13

νυνι nuni G3570 "now" Adv

Now refers to the present time, as seen in Acts 24:13 and Romans 15:23. It is used to indicate something is happening at this moment.

Definition: νῦνί an Attic strengthened form of νῦν (in cl. always of time, and most often strictly of the pres.), [in LXX : Job.5:1-27, Psa.2:1-12, 1-12, 4Ma.4:1-26, Ep. Je* ;] now; __1. of time: with praes., Act.24:13, Rom.15:23, 25, 1Co.13:13, 2Co.8:11 8:22, Phm 9 11; with pf., Rom.3:21; with pret., Rom.6:22 11:30 (WH, mg.) Rom.7:6, Eph.2:13, Col.1:21 3:8; ἡ ν. ἀπολογία, Act.22:1. __2. Of logical sequence (not so in cl.): Rom.7:17, 1Co.5:11 (νῦν, WH) 1Co.12:18 (νῦν, WH, txt.) 1Co.15:20, Heb.8:6 (νῦν, WH, txt.), Heb.9:26 (cf. WM, 24, 579n).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 20 NT verses. KJV: now See also: 1 Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 8:6.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

μενει menō G3306 "to stay" Verb-PAI-3S

This word means 'to stay' and is used to describe remaining in a place or state. It appears in Matthew and John to describe Jesus and the Holy Spirit staying with someone. It's often translated as 'abide' or 'remain'.

Definition: μένω, [in LXX for קוּם ,עמד, etc. ;] to stay, abide, remain. __1. Intrans.; __(i) of place: before ἐν, Luk.8:27, al.; παρά, with dative of person(s), Jhn.1:40, al; σύν, Luk.1:56; καθ᾽ ἑαυτόν, Act.28:16; with adv., ἐκεῖ, Mat.10:11; ὧδε, Mat.26:38; metaphorically, 1Jn.2:18; of the Holy Spirit, Jhn.1:32, 33 14:17; of Christ, Jhn.6:56 15:4, al.; ὁ θεός, 1Jn.4:15, conversely, of Christians, Jhn.6:56 15:4, 1Jn.4:15, al.; ὁ λόγος τ. θεοῦ, 1Jn.2:14; ἡ ἀλήθεια, II Jo 2, al. __(ii) Of time; __(a) of persons: Php.1:25; before εἰς τ. αἰῶνα, Jhn.12:34, Heb.7:24, 1Jn.2:17; ὀλίγον, Rev.17:10; ἕως ἔρχομαι, Jhn.21:22, 23; __(b) of things, lasting or enduring: cities, Mat.11:23, Heb.13:14; λόγος θεοῦ, 1Pe.1:23; ἁμαρτία, Jhn.9:41. __(iii) Of condition: with pred., μόνος, Jhn.12:24; ἄγαμος, 1Co.7:11; πιστός, 2Ti.2:13; ἱερεύς, Heb.7:3; with adv., οὕτως, 1Co.7:40; ὡς κἀγώ, ib. 8; before ἐν, ib. 20, 24. __2. Trans. (Bl., §34, 1; Field, Notes, 132): with accusative of person(s), Act.20:5, 23 (cf. ἀνα-, δια-, ἐν-, ἐπι-, κατα-, παρα-, συν-παρα-, περι-, προσ-, ὑπο-μένω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 105 NT verses. KJV: abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own See also: 1 Corinthians 3:14; Hebrews 7:24; 1 Peter 1:23.

πιστις pistis G4102 "faith" Noun-NSF

Faith is the meaning of this word, which involves trust and confidence in God or Jesus Christ. It's used in Matthew 8:10 and Romans 1:8, showing reliance on God's power and promises.

Definition: πίστις, -εως, ἡ (πείθω), [in LXX chiefly for אֱמוּנָה ;] __1. in active sense, faith, belief, trust, confidence, in NT always of religious faith in God or Christ or spiritual things: Mat.8:10, Luk.5:20, Act.14:9, Rom.1:8, 1Co.2:5, 2Co.1:24, 1Ti.1:5, al.; with genitive obj., Mrk.11:22, Act.3:16, Rom.3:22, Gal.2:16, Eph.3:12, Jas.2:1, al.; with prep., ἐν, Rom.3:25, Gal.3:26, Eph.1:15, Col.1:24, 1Ti.1:14 3:13, 2Ti.1:13 3:15, 2Pe.1:1; εἰς, Act.20:21 24:24 26:18, Col.2:5, 1Pe.1:21; πρός, 1Th.1:8, Phm 5; ἐπί, with accusative Heb.6:1; ἐν τῇ π. στήκειν (εἶναι, μένειν), 1Co.16:13, 1Co.13:5, 1Ti.2:15; ὑπακοὴ τῆς π., Rom.1:5 16:26; ὁ ἐκ π., Rom.3:26 4:16, Gal.3:12; διὰ (τῆς) π., Rom.3:30, Gal.2:16, Php.3:9. By meton., objectively, that which is the object or content of belief, the faith: Act.6:7 14:22, Gal.1:23 3:23 6:10, Php.1:26, 27 Ju 3, 20, and perh. also Act.13:8 16:5, Rom.1:5 and 16:26 (see supr.), 1Co.16:13, Col.1:23, 2Th.3:2 (Lft., Notes, 125), 1Ti.1:19 3:9 4:1, 6 5:8 6:10, 12, 2Ti.3:8 4:7 Tit.1:4, 13 3:15, 1Pe.5:9. __2. In passive sense, __(a) fidelity, faithfulness: Mat.23:23, Gal.5:22; ἡ π. τοῦ θεοῦ, Rom.3:3; __(b) objectively, plighted faith, a pledge of fidelity: 1Ti.5:12. (On the various shades of meaning in which the word is used in NT, see esp. ICC on Rom.1:17, pp. 31ff.; Lft., Ga., 154ff.; Stevens, Th. NT, 422, 515ff.; DB, i, 830ff.; Cremer, see word) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 228 NT verses. KJV: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity See also: 1 Corinthians 2:5; Galatians 3:23; 1 Peter 1:5.

ελπις elpis G1680 "hope" Noun-NSF

Hope or expectation, as in 2 Corinthians 1:6 and Acts 16:19, where it refers to trusting in God's goodness.

Definition: ἐλπίς (ἑλ-, Rom.8:20, WH, see Bl., § 4, 3; M, Pr., 44), -ίδος, ἡ [in LXX for בָּטַח and its derivatives, תִּקְוָה (frequently in Jb), etc. ;] expectation (in cl., rarely of evil, mostly of good, and so always in NT), hope; __1. of hope in general: 2Co.1:6; with genitive obj., Act.16:19; art. inf., Act.27:20, 1Co.9:10; παρ᾽ ἐλπίδα, Rom.4:18; ἐπ᾽ ἐλπίδι, 1Co.9:10. __2. Of religious hope: ἐπ᾽ ἐλπίδι, Act.2:26 26:6, Rom.4:18 8:20, Tit.1:2; τῇ ἐ. ἐσώθημεν, Rom.8:24; κατ᾽ ἐλπίδα ζωῆς αἰωνίου, Tit.3:7; of the Messianic hope of Israel, Act.23:6 26:6-7 28:20; of Christian hope, Rom.5:2-5 12:12 15:4, 13, 1Co.13:13, 2Th.2:16, Heb.3:6 6:11 7:19 10:23, 1Pe.1:3 1:21 3:15; with genitive obj., Rom.5:2, Col.1:27, 1Th.1:3 5:8, Tit.1:2; with genitive of that on which the hope is based, Act.26:6, Eph.1:18 4:4, Col.1:23; ὁ θεὸς τῆς ἐ., Rom.15:13; ἔχειν ἐ. (= cl. ἐλπίζειν), Act.24:15, Rom.15:4, 2Co.3:12 10:15, Eph.2:12, 1Th.4:13; before ἐπί, with dative, 1Jn.3:3; εἰς, Act.24:15; ὅτι, Rom.8:20, Php.1:20-21. Meton., __(a) of the author or ground of hope (cl.): 1Th.2:19, 1Ti.1:1; with genitive obj., Col.1:27; __(b) of the thing hoped for: Gal.5:5, Col.1:5, Tit.2:13, Heb.6:18 (Cremer, 252, 712).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 48 NT verses. KJV: faith, hope See also: 1 Corinthians 9:10; Colossians 1:23; 1 Peter 1:3.

αγαπη agapē G26 "love" Noun-NSF

Unconditional love or affection, like the love God shows to humanity in John 3:16. It's also used to describe love between people, like in John 13:35.

Definition: ἀγάπη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX for אַהֲבָה, which is also rendered by ἀγάπησις and φιλία ;] love, goodwill, esteem. Outside of bibl. and eccl. books, there is no clear instance (with Deiss., LAE, 18:4, 70:2, cf. the same writer in Constr. Quar., ii, 4; and with MM, VGT, see word, cf. Dr. Moulton in Exp. Times, xxvi, 3, 139). In NT, like ἀγαπάω, -ῶ, __1. Of men's love: __(a) to one another, Jhn.13:35; __(b) to God, 1Jn.2:5. __2. Of divine love; __(a) God's love: to men, Rom.5:8; to Christ, Jhn.17:26; __(b) Christ's love to men: Rom.8:35. __3. In pl., love feasts: Ju 12 (DB, iii, 157). SYN.: φιλία. ἀ., signifying properly (see: ἀγαπάω) love which chooses its object, is taken over from LXX, where its connotation is more general, into NT, and there used exclusively to express that spiritual bond of love between God and man and between man and man, in Christ, which is characteristic of Christianity. It is thusdistinct from φιλία, friendship (Jas.4:4 only), στοργή, natural affection (in NT only in compounds, see: ἄστοργος) and ἔρως, sexual love, which is not used in NT, its place being taken by ἐπιθυμία. (Cf. ἀγαπάω; and see Abbott, Essays, 70f.; DB, vol. i., 555; Cremer, 13, 593; MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 106 NT verses. KJV: (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love See also: 1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Timothy 1:13; 1 Peter 4:8.

τα ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

τρια treis G5140 "Three" Adj-NPN

The Greek word for three, used in passages like Matthew 12:40 and Mark 10:34 to describe a specific number of days or items. It is also used in the name of a place called Three Taverns in Acts 28:15.

Definition: τρεῖς, οἱ, αἱ, τρία, τά three: Mat.12:40, al.; μετὰ τ. ἡμέρας = τῇ τρίτῃ ἡ., Mrk.10:34, al. (cf. Field, Notes, 11 ff.) Τρεῖς Ταβέρναι (see: ταβέρνη), Three Taverns (Lit. Tres Tabernae) a halting place on the Appian Way: Act.28:15 (see DB, iv, 690).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 59 NT verses. KJV: three See also: 1 Corinthians 10:8; Luke 2:46; Hebrews 10:28.

ταυτα ohutos G3778 "this/he/she/it" Dem-NPN

This refers to a specific person or thing, like when Jesus says 'this is my body' in Matthew 26:26 and Mark 14:22.

Definition: οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; __1. as subst., this one, he; __(a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; __(b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; __(with) proleptic (referring to what follows): before ἵνα (Bl., §69, 6), Luk.1:43, Jhn.3:19 (and freq.) 15:8, Rom.14:9, al.; before ὅτι, Luk.10:11, Jhn.9:3o, Act.24:14, Rom.2:3, al.; ὅπως, Rom.9:17; ἐάν, Jhn.13:35; __(d) special idioms: τοῦτο μὲν . . . τ. δέ (cl), partly . . . partly. Heb.10:33; καὶ τοῦτο (τοῦτον, ταῦτα), and that (him) too, Rom.13:11, 1Co.2:2, Heb.11:12; τοῦτ᾽ ἐστιν, Mat.27:46. __2. As adj., with subst.; __(a) with art. __(α) before the art.: Mat.12:32, Mrk.9:29, Luk.7:44, Jhn.4:15, Rom.11:24, Rev.19:9, al.; __(β) after the noun: Mat.3:9, Mrk.12:16, Luk.11:31, Jhn.4:13, Act.6:13, Rom.15:28, 1Co.1:20, Rev.2:24, al.; __(b) with subst. anarth. (with predicative force; Bl., §49, 4): Luk.1:36 2:2 24:21, Jhn.2:11 4:54 21:14, 2Co.13:1. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1281 NT verses. KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 1:11.

μειζων megas G3173 "great" Adj-NSF-C

The Greek word for great, describing something big or intense, like a large stone in Matthew 2:60 or a strong wind in John 6:18. It's used to show importance or magnitude. In the Bible, it's often used to describe God's power and love.

Definition: μέγας, μεγάλη, μέγα, [in LXX chiefly for גָּדוֹל, also for מַרְבֶּה ,רַב (incl. μείζων), רֹב (μέγιστος) ;] great; __1. of external form, bodily size, measure, extent: λίθος, Mat.2:60; δράκων, Rev.12:3; ἰχθῦς, Jhn.21:11; πόλις, Rev.11:8; μάχαιρα, Rev.6:4, al. __2. Of intensity and degree: δύναμις, Act.4:33; φόβος, Mrk.4:41; ἀγάπη, Jhn.15:13; ἄνεμος, 'ib. 6:18; κραυγή, Act.23:9; φῶς, Mat.4:16; πυρετός, Luk.4:38; θλίψις, Mat.24:21. __3. Of rank; __(a) of persons: θεός (MM, xvi), Tit.2:13; Ἄρτεμις, Act.19:27; compar. (see infr.), Mat.18:1 (cf. Dalman, Words, 113f.); neut. for masc. (Bl., §32, 1), Mat.12:6; __(b) of things: ἁμαρτία, Jhn.19:11; μυστήριον, Eph.5:32; = μεγίστη (see infr., and cf. Field, Notes, 16f.), Mat.22:36; compar. for superl. (M, Pr., 78), 1Co.13:13. __4. __(a) Compar., μείζων: Mat.11:11 23:17, al.; neut. pl., μείζονα, contr. μείζω, Jhn.1:51; double compar., μειζότερος (M, Pr., 236; Bl., §11, 4), III Jo 4; __(b) superl, μέγιστος (Deiss., BS, 365), 2Pe.1:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 227 NT verses. KJV: (+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years See also: 1 Corinthians 9:11; Luke 22:27; Hebrews 4:14.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

τουτων ohutos G3778 "this/he/she/it" Dem-GPN

This refers to a specific person or thing, like when Jesus says 'this is my body' in Matthew 26:26 and Mark 14:22.

η ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

αγαπη agapē G26 "love" Noun-NSF

Unconditional love or affection, like the love God shows to humanity in John 3:16. It's also used to describe love between people, like in John 13:35.

Usage: Occurs in 106 NT verses. KJV: (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love See also: 1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Timothy 1:13; 1 Peter 4:8.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 13:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Corinthians 13:13 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 13:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 13:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 13:13
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 13:13
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 13:13

Context — Love

11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways. 12Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Corinthians 16:14	Do everything in love.
2	Colossians 3:14	And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
3	1 John 4:7–18	Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.
4	1 Corinthians 13:1–8	If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. 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. If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.
5	Galatians 5:6	For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
6	Mark 12:29–31	Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
7	Philippians 1:9	And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
8	Lamentations 3:21–26	Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
9	1 Timothy 1:5	The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
10	1 Thessalonians 5:8	But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.

1 Corinthians 13:13 Summary

This verse reminds us that faith, hope, and love are the most important things in our lives as Christians. Love is the greatest of these because it is the way that God loves us, and it is what He wants us to show to others (as seen in Matthew 22:37-40). By having faith, we trust in God's goodness, by having hope, we look forward to eternal life, and by having love, we show care and compassion to those around us, just as God does (as seen in 1 John 4:19). As we live out our faith, we can remember that love is the foundation of everything we do, and it is what will remain forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three things that remain according to 1 Corinthians 13:13?

According to 1 Corinthians 13:13, the three things that remain are faith, hope, and love, which are essential components of the Christian life, as seen in verses like Ephesians 4:2-3 and Colossians 1:4-5.

Why is love considered the greatest of these three?

Love is considered the greatest because it is the foundation of all other virtues and is a direct reflection of God's character, as stated in 1 John 4:8 and demonstrated through Jesus' life and teachings in the Gospel of John.

How do faith, hope, and love relate to our everyday lives as Christians?

Faith, hope, and love are intertwined and essential for our daily walk with God, as faith trusts in God's goodness, hope looks forward to eternal life, and love compels us to serve and care for others, as seen in Galatians 5:6 and 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

Will faith and hope still be necessary in heaven?

According to 1 Corinthians 13:12, when we see God face to face in heaven, our faith will become sight, and our hope will be fulfilled, but love will continue to be the governing principle of our relationship with God and others, as hinted at in Revelation 21:22-27.

Reflection Questions

How can I demonstrate love to those around me today, just as God has shown love to me?
In what ways can I grow in faith, hope, and love, and what steps can I take to prioritize these virtues in my life?
How does the promise of eternal life and our future hope in heaven impact my decisions and actions today?
What are some ways that I can show love and care to those who may be difficult to love or get along with, just as God loves and cares for me?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 13:13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three,.... Which are the principal graces of the Spirit of God: faith is to be understood, not of a faith of miracles, for that does not abide; nor of an

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 13:13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. And now , [ nuni (G3570)] not the same Greek as "now," 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13

Take us according to our state in this life, we have, and shall have, the exercise of three graces: faith, to evidence unto us those things which we do not see, either by the eye of sense or reason; hope, by which we wait for the receiving of them; and love, by which we delight ourselves in God, and show obedience to the will of God. But of all these, love is the greatest, either in respect of its use and profitableness unto men, or in respect of its duration and abiding (which last the apostle seemeth chiefly to intend). Faith shall cease when we come to the vision of God; and hope, when we come to the fruition of God in glory; love also will cease, as to some acts, but never as to a pleasure and a delighting in God; that will be to eternity.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Ver. 13. The greatest of these] Because longest lasting. Gifts that suppose imperfection in us, as faith and hope, or misery in others, as pity, &c., shall be put away. Secondly, because it is diffusive of itself to the use of others; whereas faith and hope are private goods; they are confined to the person of the believer. That was a memorable saying of Elizabeth Folks, martyr, at the stake, "Farewell all the world, farewell faith, farewell hope;" and so taking the stake in her hand, she said, "Welcome love."

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13

(13) And now abideth . . .—Better, Thus there abide . . . The “now” is not here temporal, but logical. It is not “now” (i.e., this present life) contrasted with the future, but it is the conclusion of the whole argument. From all that has been urged in the previous verses it follows that these three graces—faith, hope, love—remain imperishable and immortal. Gifts such as the Corinthian Church rejoiced in shall pass away when the perfect succeeds the imperfect; the graces of faith, hope, love shall remain in the next life, exalted and purified. But even in this trinity of graces there is an order, and love stands first. The contrast is not between love which is imperishable and faith and hope which are perishable, but between ephemeral gifts and enduring graces. It is strange how completely in popular thinking this has been lost sight of, and hence we find such words as these— “Faith will vanish into sight, Hope be emptied in delight, Love in heaven will shine more bright, Therefore give us love;” which express almost the opposite of what the Apostle really wrote. There need be no difficulty in understanding that “faith,” in the sense of trust in Christ as our Saviour, may continue in the heavenly state; indeed, when we see Him face to face, and see actually how great a salvation He hath obtained for us, that faith may’ be expected to glow with a new and increasing fervour Hope, too, need never cease if that new life is to be progressive. If hope lives by feeding on the present as the promise of the future, surely it will have a more abundant sustenance in that life than in this. Yet love stands supreme; indeed, both faith and hope would perish without her. (See Matthew 26:35; Galatians 5:6.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13

Verse 13. And now [in this present life] abideth faith, hope, charity] These three supply the place of that direct vision which no human embodied spirit can have; these abide or remain for the present state. Faith, by which we apprehend spiritual blessings, and walk with God. Hope, by which we view and expect eternal blessedness, and pass through things temporal so as not to lose those which are eternal. Charity or love, by which we show forth the virtues of the grace which we receive by faith in living a life of obedience to God, and of good will and usefulness to man. But the greatest of these is charity.] Without faith it is impossible to please God; and without it, we can not partake of the grace of our Lord Jesus: without hope we could not endure, as seeing him who is invisible; nor have any adequate notion of the eternal world; nor bear up under the afflictions and difficulties of life: but great and useful and indispensably necessary as these are, yet charity or love is greater: LOVE is the fulfilling of the law; but this is never said of faith or hope. IT may be necessary to enter more particularly into a consideration of the conclusion of this very important chapter. 1. Love is properly the image of God in the soul; for God is LOVE. By faith we receive from our Maker; by hope we expect a future and eternal good; but by love we resemble God; and by it alone are we qualified to enjoy heaven, and be one with him throughout eternity. Faith, says one, is the foundation of the Christian life, and of good works; hope rears the superstructure; but love finishes, completes, and crowns it in a blessed eternity. Faith and hope respect ourselves alone; love takes in both GOD and MAN. Faith helps, and hope sustains us; but love to God and man makes us obedient and useful. This one consideration is sufficient to show that love is greater than either faith or hope. 2. Some say love is the greatest because it remains throughout eternity, whereas faith and hope proceed only through life; hence we say that there faith is lost in sight, and hope in fruition. But does the apostle say so? Or does any man inspired by God say so? I believe not. Faith and hope will as necessarily enter into eternal glory as love will. The perfections of God are absolute in their nature, infinite in number, and eternal in their duration. However high, glorious, or sublime the soul may be in that eternal state, it will ever, in respect to God, be limited in its powers, and must be improved and expanded by the communications of the supreme Being. Hence it will have infinite glories in the nature of God to apprehend by faith, to anticipate by hope, and enjoy by love. 3.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 13:13

13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity] All these will remain in the life to come. Faith, the vision of the unseen (Hebrews 11:1), with its consequent trust in God; hope, which even in fruition remains as the desire of its continuance; and love, as the necessary condition of our dwelling in God and God in us. See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 12:31. ‘Now’ is not to be understood of time, but as equivalent to ‘so’, at the conclusion of the argument.but the greatest of these is charity] “Because faith and hope are our own: love is diffused among others.” Calvin.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 13:13

And now abideth - “Remains” (μένει menei). The word means properly to remain, continue, abide; and is applied to persons remaining in a place, in a state or condition, in contradistinction from

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:13

13. And now—As the net result from all these premises. Abideth—In endless permanence. Faith—Not the transient charism of 1 Corinthians 13:12, (where see note,) but the sure reliance on God that will be ever sure in heaven.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 13:13

	Sermon	Description
	Testimony - Part 1 by Gladys Aylward	In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares their experience of being the only missionary in a heathen government and their journey of spreading the Gospel in South Shansey. Desp
	Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Part 1 by J. Vernon McGee	In the video, a listener shares her realization that she needs to be more involved in her husband's efforts to evangelize his family. She was inspired by a radio sermon that emphas
	Revival Forum Interview by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the spiritual deadness of people and the role of the church in bringing them to life. He refers to a quote by John Ruskin that describes pre
	The Year That We Flourish by Carter Conlon	This sermon emphasizes the importance of unity, faith, purity, forgiveness, and selflessness in the church community. It calls for a commitment to flourishing in God's way, walking
	A Greater Power by Basilea Schlink	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the power of love for Jesus in overcoming affliction, temptation, suffering, and even death. The story of Father Maximilian Kolber, a priest m
	Seeking His Preeminence - Part 1 by Lehman Strauss	In this sermon, Lehmann Strauss shares his personal experience of receiving a new vision and understanding of the importance of preaching and teaching the Word of God. He recounts
	Ephesians 1 - Paul's Prayer by Gareth Evans	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about receiving a loan from the government and how it was a miracle. He emphasizes that this experience has deepened his underst