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1 Corinthians 13:2
Verse
Context
Love
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.2If 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. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Sermons
George VerwerGeorge VerwerGeorge Verwer
T. Austin-Sparks
Gareth EvansSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And though I have the gift of prophecy - Though I should have received from God the knowledge of future events, so that I could correctly foretell what is coming to pass in the world and in the Church: - And understand all mysteries - The meaning of all the types and figures in the Old Testament, and all the unexplored secrets of nature; and all knowledge - every human art and science; and though I have all faith - such miraculous faith as would enable me even to remove mountains; or had such powerful discernment in sacred things that I could solve the greatest difficulties, see the note on Mat 21:21, and have not charity - this love to God and man, as the principle and motive of all my conduct, the characteristics of which are given in the following verses; I am nothing - nothing in myself, nothing in the sight of God, nothing in the Church, and good for nothing to mankind. Balaam, and several others not under the influence of this love of God, prophesied; and we daily see many men, who are profound scholars, and well skilled in arts and sciences, and yet not only careless about religion but downright infidels! It does not require the tongue of the inspired to say that these men, in the sight of God, are nothing; nor can their literary or scientific acquisitions give them a passport to glory.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
mysteries-- (Rom 11:25; Rom 16:25). Mysteries refer to the deep counsels of God hitherto secret, but now revealed to His saints. Knowledge, to truths long known. faith . . . remove mountains-- (Mat 17:20; Mat 21:21). The practical power of the will elevated by faith [NEANDER]; confidence in God that the miraculous result will surely follow the exercise of the will at the secret impulse of His Spirit. Without "love" prophecy, knowledge, and faith, are not what they seem (compare Co1 8:1-2; Mat 7:22; Jam 2:14; compare Co1 13:8), and so fail of the heavenly reward (Mat 6:2). Thus Paul, who teaches justification by faith only (Rom 3:4-5; Gal 2:16; Gal 3:7-14), is shown to agree with James, who teaches (Jam 2:24) "by works" (that is, by LOVE, which is the "spirit" of faith, Jam 2:26) a man is justified, "and not by faith only."
John Gill Bible Commentary
And though I have the gift of prophecy,.... Either of foretelling future events, as Balaam, who foretold many things concerning the Messiah and the people of Israel, and yet had no true love for either; and Caiaphas, who was high priest the year Christ suffered, and prophesied of his death, and was himself concerned in it, being a bitter enemy to him; or of explaining the prophecies of the Old Testament, by virtue of an extraordinary gift which some persons had; or of the ordinary preaching of the word, which is sometimes expressed by prophesying, which gift some have had, and yet not the grace of God; see Phi 1:15 and understand all mysteries; either the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, the mysterious doctrines of the Gospel; such as the trinity of persons in the Godhead, the incarnation of Christ, the unity of the two natures, human and divine, in him, eternal predestination, the doctrines of regeneration, justification, satisfaction, and the resurrection of the dead; all which a man may have a speculative understanding of, and be without love to God or Christ, or to his people: or else the mystical sense of the types, figures, and shadows of the old law; as the meaning of the passover, brazen serpent, and the rock in the wilderness, the tabernacle, temple, sacrifices, and all things appertaining thereunto. The Jews give us an instance (c) of one who was no lover of Christ, and lived in the times of the apostle; R. Jochanan ben Zaccai, of whom they boast, and who they say was the least of the disciples of Hillell, and yet "perfectly understood the Scripture, the Misna, the Gemara, the traditions, the allegorical interpretations, the niceties of the law, and the subtleties of the Scribes, the lighter and weightier matters of the law (or the arguments from the greater to the lesser, and "vice versa"), the arguments taken from a parity of reason, the revolution of the sun and moon, rules of interpretation by gematry, parables, &c.'' The apostle proceeds, and all knowledge; of things natural, as Solomon had; of the heavens, and the stars thereof, of the earth and sea, and all things therein, and appertaining thereunto; of all languages, arts, and sciences; of things divine, as a speculative knowledge of God, and the perfections of his nature, of Christ, his person and offices, of the Gospel, and the doctrines of it: and though I have all faith; not true, special, saving faith, or that faith in Christ, which has salvation connected with it; for a man cannot have that, and be nothing; such an one shall be certainly saved; and besides, this cannot be without love, and therefore not to be supposed: but all historical faith, an assent to everything that is true, to all that is contained in the Scriptures, whether natural, civil, moral, or evangelical; to all that is contained in the law, or in the Gospel; that faith which believes everything: so the Jews (d) say, what is faith? that in which is found , "all faith"; or rather the faith of miracles is meant, both of believing and doing all sorts of miracles, one of which is mentioned; so that I could remove mountains; meaning either literally, a power of removing mountains from one place to another, referring to Mat 17:20 so Gregory of Neocaesarea, called "Thaumaturgus", the wonder worker, from the miracles done by him, is said (e) to remove a mountain, to make more room for building a church; but whether fact, is a question; or this may be understood figuratively, see Rev 8:8 for doing things very difficult and wonderful, and almost incredible. The Jews used to call their learned and profound doctors, such as could solve difficulties, and do wondrous things, by the name of mountains, or removers of mountains; thus (f). "they called Rab Joseph, "Sinai", because he was very expert in the Talmudic doctrines, and Rabbah bar Nachmani, , "a rooter up of mountains"; because he was exceeding acute in subtle disputations.'' Says Rabba (g) to his disciples, "lo, I am ready to return an answer smartly to everyone that shall ask me, as Ben Azzai, who expounded in the streets of Tiberias; and there was not in his days such a , "rooter up of mountains", as he.'' Again (h), "Ula saw Resh Lekish in the school, as if , "he was rooting up the mountains", and grinding them together; says Rabenu, does not everybody see R. Meir in the school, as if he was "rooting up the mountains of mountains", and grinding them together?'' They (i) elsewhere dispute which is the most honourable to be called, "Sinai" or a remover of mountains; "one says "Sinai" is the more excellent name; another says "the rooter up of mountains" is the more excellent; Rab Joseph is Sinai, and Rabbah the remover of mountains;'' the gloss says the former is so called, "because the Misnic laws and their explications were ordered by him, as if they had been given on Mount Sinai,'' though he was not so acute as Rabbah; and the latter was called the rooter up of mountains, because "he was sharp and subtle in the law;'' once more on those words relating to Issachar, Gen 49:15 "and bowed his shoulder to bear", it is observed (k); that "this intimates that he was wise in wisdom, , "a breaker of the mountains", a shatterer in pieces of the rocks of dissensions and division various ways; as it is said, Jer 23:29 "is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" So a wise man, by the sharpness of his wit, breaks the mountains of difficulties, and divides them by the words of his mouth: hence they used to call the wise men by the names of Sinai, and a rooter of mountains; because they beat and brake the rocks in pieces, the traditions that are difficult and deep.'' The phrase is also used of removing difficulties in a civil and political sense, as well as in a theological one (l): but let a man be able to do ever such great things, yet if he has not "charity", love to God, to Christ and to his people, he is nothing at all; as the apostle says of himself, supposing it was his own case, I am nothing; not nothing as a man, nor nothing as a gifted man, still he would be a man, and a man of gifts; nor does the apostle say, that his gifts were nothing, that the gift of prophecy was nothing, or the gift of understanding mysteries nothing, or the gift of knowledge nothing, or the gift of doing miracles nothing, for these are all something, and very great things too, and yet a man in whom the grace of love is wanting, is nothing himself with all these; he is nothing in the account of God, of no esteem with him; he is nothing as a believer in Christ, nor nothing as a Christian. This is also a Jewish way of speaking; for they say (m), "as a bride that is to be adorned with four and twenty ornaments, if she wants anyone of them, , "she is nothing"; so a disciple of a wise man ought to be used to the twenty four books (of the Scripture), and if he is wanting in one of them, , "he is nothing".'' (c) T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 134. 1. & Succa, fol. 28. 1. (d) Zohar in Numb. fol. 60. 1. (e) Gregor. Pap. Dialog. l. 1. c. 7. (f) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 64. 1. Shalsheleth Hakabala, fol. 25. 2. Juchasin, fol. 95. 2. & 160. 2. Ganz Tzemach David, par. 1. fol. 32. 2. Halichot Olam, p. 23, 207. (g) Gloss. in T. Bab. Erubin, fol. 29. 1. Juchasin, fol. 44. 2. (h) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 24. 1. (i) T. Bab. Horayot, fol. 14. 1. Juchasin, fol. 112. 1. (k) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 39. 3. & 126. 4. (l) Vid. T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 3. 2. (m) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 18. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:2 If I . . . possessed all knowledge possibly refers to the gift of “special knowledge” (12:8).
1 Corinthians 13:2
Love
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.2If 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. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Om Orientation) Our Motive Love - Part 1
By George Verwer3.4K27:54LoveMAT 6:33MAT 9:9MAT 22:39MRK 12:29MRK 12:31LUK 14:331CO 13:2In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of obedience to the word of God, particularly in regards to possessions and giving. He mentions that many people today are resistant to this message due to the materialistic culture we live in. The preacher also discusses the concept of forsaking all and compares it to the teachings in the book "True Discipleship" and a verse from the Bible. He highlights the need for compassion as a driving force in our actions and mentions the importance of love and prayer in fulfilling the commandments of God.
(Basics) 38. Jesus Valued People More Than Things
By Zac Poonen2.7K13:11ZEP 3:17MAT 11:28MAT 20:28MRK 12:37LUK 19:10ROM 12:151CO 13:2In this sermon, the preacher highlights the upside-down values of the world, where money is often prioritized over God and people. He emphasizes that Christians should believe and live as if God is more important than money. The preacher laments that very few Christians truly prioritize God over money in their lives. He also points out the tragic reality that people are often loved less than material possessions, which goes against God's teachings. The preacher urges Christians to follow Jesus' example of valuing God and people above material things.
Seeking God for Power - Power to Love Until the End
By Zac Poonen2.4K59:21PowerMAT 5:39MAT 5:44JHN 7:38JHN 13:34ROM 5:51CO 13:2HEB 4:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of love and unity among believers. He challenges the idea that miracles and signs are the ultimate proof of being God's people. Instead, he argues that the greatest miracle is to love one another and remain in love until the end. The speaker references Jesus' example of loving his disciples until the very end and compares it to the miraculous act of raising the dead or healing the blind. He concludes that throughout the history of the church, the consistent and enduring love for one another is a greater miracle than any supernatural sign.
Here I Am, Send Me
By George Verwer2.3K1:07:52PRO 4:7MAT 5:6ACT 2:421CO 13:2PHP 2:3HEB 12:1JAS 4:10
This sermon emphasizes the importance of wisdom, humility, and perseverance as believers prepare to leave a spiritual gathering. It highlights the need for biblical balance, the integration of power and wisdom, and the practical application of spiritual experiences in daily life. The speaker urges listeners to embrace diversity, generosity, and a global perspective in their faith journey, while emphasizing the significance of humility and the ongoing marathon of spiritual growth.
(Om Orientation) Our Weapons the Word - Part 2
By George Verwer2.3K25:52Spiritual WarfareMAT 22:37ACT 1:8ROM 10:141CO 13:2COL 3:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing evangelism and spreading the word of God to the lost souls around us. They argue that many Christian activities can distract us from this essential task. The speaker also highlights the significance of love as the balance in the Christian life and encourages the audience to attend the upcoming session on love. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the importance of worship and taking time to praise God, rather than just going through the motions in prayer meetings.
The Divine Purpose and Principles of the Christian Life
By T. Austin-Sparks2.2K58:44Principles Of Christian LifePRO 4:23JHN 3:31CO 13:22CO 6:14EPH 4:3COL 1:181TH 5:23In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance and energy of life. He compares life to an incredible energy that opens up new worlds for those who experience it. The Christian life is described as a large and expansive journey, filled with liberty and release. The preacher also highlights the idea that life often requires difficulty to truly demonstrate its energy. Overall, the sermon focuses on the significance and vastness of the Christian life.
Ephesians 1 - Pauls Prayer - Part 2
By Gareth Evans1.2K04:59MAT 1:21JHN 13:351CO 13:2EPH 1:151JN 4:20
This sermon emphasizes the importance of our character and the significance of our name in reflecting who we are. It highlights the correlation between names in the Bible and the character of individuals, urging us to embody faith in God and love for one another. The speaker stresses the need for Christians to prioritize loving one another as a key aspect of truly knowing and experiencing God in a deeper way.
Living for Eternity 2 - Part 3
By Joshua Daniel1.2K09:52MAT 6:6ACT 28:231CO 13:2EPH 6:122TI 1:7JAS 4:71JN 4:18
This sermon emphasizes the importance of seizing and holding onto the promises of God with unwavering faith and commitment, contrasting it with a lack of love, holiness, and power that hinders believers. It challenges listeners to testify boldly about the kingdom of God and the Savior, even in the face of challenges like Islamization, urging them to prioritize their relationship with Jesus above all else.
K-516 a Prophetic Scenario (2 of 2)
By Art Katz1.1K46:36PropheticJER 1:9MAT 10:16MAT 16:24MAT 24:351CO 9:161CO 13:2EPH 4:15In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of being reproached for going over the allotted time for his message. He explains that he received a note to finish his sermon in 45 minutes, but due to blurred vision, he misunderstood and believed it said 45 minutes. Despite facing criticism and being labeled as independent, the speaker prays for the message to be imbued with the spirit of truth and hopes that it will help others understand the call of God, the creative and prophetic word, and the obedience required as sons of God. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of death and resurrection in the church and in Israel's restoration, stating that just as Jesus had to taste death to birth the church, Israel too must go through death and resurrection.
No Longer Loveless
By Basilea Schlink66004:35Radio ShowMAT 5:44MAT 22:37ROM 12:21ROM 13:101CO 13:2HEB 4:151JN 4:8In this sermon by Basilea Schlink titled "No Longer Loveless," she emphasizes the importance of love in our lives and how God can transform our relationships. She shares that love is the greatest thing in both time and eternity. Basilea Schlink also mentions the consecration of a nursing home in Canaan, where the aim is to let love be victorious in all tensions of everyday life. She reminds us that Jesus responded to his enemies with love and encourages us to reflect God's image of love in all our words, actions, and being.
The Living Dead
By Shane Idleman52546:43PSA 51:10ACT 2:41CO 13:2JAS 4:6REV 2:4REV 2:7REV 2:16REV 2:29
The sermon titled 'The Living Dead' delves into the concept of spiritual death, focusing on the danger of being spiritually dead while appearing alive. It emphasizes the need to return to one's first love for God, highlighting the importance of humility, repentance, and genuine worship. The message challenges individuals to overcome pride and seek a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit to experience true spiritual vitality and power.
On Eagles' Wings Pt 101
By Don Courville35328:53Radio ShowMRK 10:21ROM 12:91CO 13:21PE 1:221PE 4:81JN 3:2In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of love in our interactions with others. He shares personal experiences of encountering difficult situations and emphasizes that without love, we may have a weak testimony and fail to win others to Christ. The preacher also reflects on a time when he had a negative attitude towards his neighbors and how God showed him that he wouldn't be able to win them over with that approach. He concludes by urging the audience to repent of their sins, receive Jesus as their Savior, and not to miss out on the opportunity to have a relationship with Him.
Psalm 23 Series (Session 1)
By Joseph Carroll2142:27Dependence On GodChristian LifeFaithPSA 23:1PSA 127:1ISA 26:3MAT 6:33JHN 15:5ROM 10:171CO 13:2PHP 4:19HEB 11:61JN 4:8Joseph Carroll emphasizes the transformative power of truly believing in the Word of God, asserting that faith must be active and personal to be meaningful. He challenges the congregation to reflect on their understanding of love, faith, and dependence on God, illustrating that without these, they are spiritually empty. Carroll uses Psalm 23 to highlight the necessity of recognizing our need for God as our shepherd, and the importance of resting in His provision and guidance. He stresses that faith is the key to experiencing God's grace and fulfilling His purpose in our lives. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to live by faith, trusting in God's ability to lead and provide.
Letter to a Reluctant Prophet
By Chip Brogden0MAT 16:24JHN 15:51CO 1:271CO 13:22CO 12:9GAL 5:22GAL 6:3PHP 3:81PE 4:131JN 2:6Chip Brogden emphasizes the importance of being a Christian first before aspiring to be a prophet, urging humility, meekness, and a focus on Christ rather than the prophetic word. He highlights the significance of walking in love, avoiding self-righteousness, and being faithful with what God has entrusted to us. Chip stresses the need to learn from Jesus, be led by His Spirit, and develop fruitfulness in character over seeking after gifts. He encourages expecting persecution, embracing weakness, and being willing to suffer for the sake of Christ, emphasizing the necessity of dying to self in order to truly live.
Of Regeneration
By Jacob Boehme0JHN 3:3JHN 14:6ROM 8:11CO 3:161CO 8:11CO 13:2GAL 5:221JN 4:7REV 18:4Jacob Boehme preaches about the essence of regeneration or the new birth, emphasizing the need for individuals seeking salvation to allow themselves to be led out of confusion and contention by the Spirit of Christ to be born anew in Him. He highlights the importance of seeking salvation earnestly, surrendering to Christ, and living a life dedicated to Him alone.
The Spirit of Christ
By Mary Wilder Tileston0JHN 14:15ROM 8:91CO 13:2JAS 4:61JN 2:6Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of having the Spirit of Christ within us to truly belong to Him, emphasizing that a virtuous life and humility are key to understanding and pleasing the Trinity. She highlights that knowledge and profound discussions are not enough without the love of God and grace, and that true understanding comes from living a life that reflects the beauty of Christ.
An Essay on the Genius, Works, and Times of Baxter ~ Excerpts
By Richard Baxter0PRO 16:181CO 13:2EPH 4:3PHP 2:3JAS 4:10Richard Baxter reflects on the changes in his character and spiritual journey over the years, emphasizing the importance of humility, self-denial, and a deepening love for God. He acknowledges his past zeal for controversies and scholastic writings, but now values fundamental doctrines and practical godliness above all. Baxter highlights the dangers of spiritual pride, selfishness, and the need for self-examination and repentance. He expresses a shift towards solitude, a focus on heavenly matters, and a greater concern for unity among Christians. Ultimately, Baxter's reflections serve as a call to sincere devotion, selfless love, and a humble pursuit of God's truth.
Two Worlds
By Herbert Henry Farmer0PRO 11:14PRO 16:9MAT 20:221CO 13:2PHP 2:3Herbert Henry Farmer delves into the complexities of leadership, emphasizing the challenging dynamic between a leader and their followers. He highlights the delicate balance leaders must maintain - being ahead yet not too far ahead, speaking two languages simultaneously, and seeing truths that followers may not yet grasp. Farmer underscores the essential quality of a leader's ability to understand and empathize with their disciples' perspectives, even when those perspectives differ from their own, as crucial for effective leadership.
Light and Love
By W.R. Inge0PRO 8:17JHN 14:21ROM 13:101CO 13:21JN 4:8W.R. Inge preaches about the essence of becoming a Godlike man and a partaker of the Divine nature, emphasizing that being illuminated by eternal Light and consumed by eternal Love is key. Knowledge without love is futile; one must love virtue to truly embody it, love justice to be just, and love truth to be true. In the absence of love, even great knowledge and light are meaningless, as seen in the case of the Evil One. Love, when combined with knowledge, leads one to cleave to God, forsake all that is not from God, and unite with Him in an inseparable bond.
Faith Healing
By Daniel Steele0ISA 53:4MAT 7:22MAT 8:17ACT 28:51CO 12:41CO 13:2GAL 4:13COL 4:142TI 4:20JAS 5:15Daniel Steele preaches about the earnest effort to restore the lost extraordinary gifts of the Spirit in modern Christianity, focusing on healing by faith and the distinction between the grace of faith and the gift of faith. He emphasizes the importance of understanding that the gift of faith for healing is sovereignly bestowed by the Holy Spirit and is not morally obligatory like the grace of faith. Steele highlights the need for unwavering faith in God's will for healing, cautioning against the dangers of expecting unconditional healing through the exercise of faith. He concludes by advocating for a prayer of submission to God's will in times of sickness, rather than insisting on healing through faith alone.
The Dissatisfaction of Francis Schaeffer (Part 2-Agents for Fundamentalism)
By Francis Schaeffer0JHN 13:35ROM 12:91CO 13:2EPH 4:151PE 3:15Francis Schaeffer's journey with his wife, Edith, began with a commitment to defending Christian orthodoxy amidst the fundamentalist-modernist conflict of the 1920s. Despite their different upbringings, they united in their passion for the inerrancy of Scripture and the importance of theological truth. Through theological disagreements, missionary work in Europe, and encounters with influential figures like Karl Barth, Schaeffer's convictions on the unity of truth and the necessity of demonstrating love alongside orthodox belief were solidified. He emphasized the vital connection between correct doctrine and a vibrant, loving Christian community, challenging churches to embody both truth and beauty in their relationships.
Of Peelings and Pedestals
By John Fischer01SA 16:7MAT 23:27JHN 4:23JHN 8:32ROM 12:21CO 13:2GAL 5:6COL 2:81JN 4:20John Fischer reflects on his upbringing in a mainline evangelical denomination, where he excelled in following Christian expectations but struggled with the authenticity of his faith. He describes the process of peeling away traditional Christian layers to discover genuine emotional responses to God and true obedience. Fischer grapples with the challenge of differentiating between cultural Christianity and a personal relationship with Christ, emphasizing the importance of seeking truth and honesty in one's faith journey.
Knowledge Puffeth Up; Charity Edifieth.
By Francois Fenelon0MAT 5:31CO 1:181CO 8:11CO 13:2JAS 1:5Francois Fenelon emphasizes the importance of humility, love, and charity over the pursuit of knowledge and recognition in the spiritual journey. He encourages a focus on dying to self-love, embracing humility, and seeking obscurity rather than seeking advancement and honor in religious circles. Fenelon reminds believers to listen to God in silence, renounce vanity, and practice solid virtue without seeking validation from others. He warns against the deception of knowledge puffing up the ego and highlights that true edification comes from charity and love, particularly the love of God and self-abandonment for His sake.
Who Has Love, Has All.
By Francois Fenelon0DEU 6:5MAT 22:37ROM 5:81CO 13:2GAL 5:61PE 4:81JN 4:71JN 4:19Francois Fenelon emphasizes the importance of having love, stating that whoever possesses love has everything. He encourages maintaining faithfulness in religious practices even when lacking pleasure in them, highlighting the purity and safety of fidelity sustained without emotional delights. Fenelon advises engaging in Christian conversations with trusted family members and daily reading and reflection to gain strength for the sacrifices required by God, emphasizing that love for God is the key to fulfilling all other aspects of life.
In Understanding Be Men
By G.W. North0UnderstandingLove in Spiritual GiftsPRO 4:71CO 13:2EPH 3:18G.W. North emphasizes the importance of understanding in the Christian life, presenting it as a vital component alongside wisdom and knowledge. He highlights that these attributes are rooted in love, which is central to God's nature and the manifestation of spiritual gifts. Understanding is portrayed as a product of love that has been tested through experience, leading to true wisdom. North asserts that love's qualities enable believers to grasp the depth of understanding, which in turn enriches their spiritual journey. Ultimately, he calls for Christians to embody understanding as a reflection of God's love and character.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And though I have the gift of prophecy - Though I should have received from God the knowledge of future events, so that I could correctly foretell what is coming to pass in the world and in the Church: - And understand all mysteries - The meaning of all the types and figures in the Old Testament, and all the unexplored secrets of nature; and all knowledge - every human art and science; and though I have all faith - such miraculous faith as would enable me even to remove mountains; or had such powerful discernment in sacred things that I could solve the greatest difficulties, see the note on Mat 21:21, and have not charity - this love to God and man, as the principle and motive of all my conduct, the characteristics of which are given in the following verses; I am nothing - nothing in myself, nothing in the sight of God, nothing in the Church, and good for nothing to mankind. Balaam, and several others not under the influence of this love of God, prophesied; and we daily see many men, who are profound scholars, and well skilled in arts and sciences, and yet not only careless about religion but downright infidels! It does not require the tongue of the inspired to say that these men, in the sight of God, are nothing; nor can their literary or scientific acquisitions give them a passport to glory.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
mysteries-- (Rom 11:25; Rom 16:25). Mysteries refer to the deep counsels of God hitherto secret, but now revealed to His saints. Knowledge, to truths long known. faith . . . remove mountains-- (Mat 17:20; Mat 21:21). The practical power of the will elevated by faith [NEANDER]; confidence in God that the miraculous result will surely follow the exercise of the will at the secret impulse of His Spirit. Without "love" prophecy, knowledge, and faith, are not what they seem (compare Co1 8:1-2; Mat 7:22; Jam 2:14; compare Co1 13:8), and so fail of the heavenly reward (Mat 6:2). Thus Paul, who teaches justification by faith only (Rom 3:4-5; Gal 2:16; Gal 3:7-14), is shown to agree with James, who teaches (Jam 2:24) "by works" (that is, by LOVE, which is the "spirit" of faith, Jam 2:26) a man is justified, "and not by faith only."
John Gill Bible Commentary
And though I have the gift of prophecy,.... Either of foretelling future events, as Balaam, who foretold many things concerning the Messiah and the people of Israel, and yet had no true love for either; and Caiaphas, who was high priest the year Christ suffered, and prophesied of his death, and was himself concerned in it, being a bitter enemy to him; or of explaining the prophecies of the Old Testament, by virtue of an extraordinary gift which some persons had; or of the ordinary preaching of the word, which is sometimes expressed by prophesying, which gift some have had, and yet not the grace of God; see Phi 1:15 and understand all mysteries; either the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, the mysterious doctrines of the Gospel; such as the trinity of persons in the Godhead, the incarnation of Christ, the unity of the two natures, human and divine, in him, eternal predestination, the doctrines of regeneration, justification, satisfaction, and the resurrection of the dead; all which a man may have a speculative understanding of, and be without love to God or Christ, or to his people: or else the mystical sense of the types, figures, and shadows of the old law; as the meaning of the passover, brazen serpent, and the rock in the wilderness, the tabernacle, temple, sacrifices, and all things appertaining thereunto. The Jews give us an instance (c) of one who was no lover of Christ, and lived in the times of the apostle; R. Jochanan ben Zaccai, of whom they boast, and who they say was the least of the disciples of Hillell, and yet "perfectly understood the Scripture, the Misna, the Gemara, the traditions, the allegorical interpretations, the niceties of the law, and the subtleties of the Scribes, the lighter and weightier matters of the law (or the arguments from the greater to the lesser, and "vice versa"), the arguments taken from a parity of reason, the revolution of the sun and moon, rules of interpretation by gematry, parables, &c.'' The apostle proceeds, and all knowledge; of things natural, as Solomon had; of the heavens, and the stars thereof, of the earth and sea, and all things therein, and appertaining thereunto; of all languages, arts, and sciences; of things divine, as a speculative knowledge of God, and the perfections of his nature, of Christ, his person and offices, of the Gospel, and the doctrines of it: and though I have all faith; not true, special, saving faith, or that faith in Christ, which has salvation connected with it; for a man cannot have that, and be nothing; such an one shall be certainly saved; and besides, this cannot be without love, and therefore not to be supposed: but all historical faith, an assent to everything that is true, to all that is contained in the Scriptures, whether natural, civil, moral, or evangelical; to all that is contained in the law, or in the Gospel; that faith which believes everything: so the Jews (d) say, what is faith? that in which is found , "all faith"; or rather the faith of miracles is meant, both of believing and doing all sorts of miracles, one of which is mentioned; so that I could remove mountains; meaning either literally, a power of removing mountains from one place to another, referring to Mat 17:20 so Gregory of Neocaesarea, called "Thaumaturgus", the wonder worker, from the miracles done by him, is said (e) to remove a mountain, to make more room for building a church; but whether fact, is a question; or this may be understood figuratively, see Rev 8:8 for doing things very difficult and wonderful, and almost incredible. The Jews used to call their learned and profound doctors, such as could solve difficulties, and do wondrous things, by the name of mountains, or removers of mountains; thus (f). "they called Rab Joseph, "Sinai", because he was very expert in the Talmudic doctrines, and Rabbah bar Nachmani, , "a rooter up of mountains"; because he was exceeding acute in subtle disputations.'' Says Rabba (g) to his disciples, "lo, I am ready to return an answer smartly to everyone that shall ask me, as Ben Azzai, who expounded in the streets of Tiberias; and there was not in his days such a , "rooter up of mountains", as he.'' Again (h), "Ula saw Resh Lekish in the school, as if , "he was rooting up the mountains", and grinding them together; says Rabenu, does not everybody see R. Meir in the school, as if he was "rooting up the mountains of mountains", and grinding them together?'' They (i) elsewhere dispute which is the most honourable to be called, "Sinai" or a remover of mountains; "one says "Sinai" is the more excellent name; another says "the rooter up of mountains" is the more excellent; Rab Joseph is Sinai, and Rabbah the remover of mountains;'' the gloss says the former is so called, "because the Misnic laws and their explications were ordered by him, as if they had been given on Mount Sinai,'' though he was not so acute as Rabbah; and the latter was called the rooter up of mountains, because "he was sharp and subtle in the law;'' once more on those words relating to Issachar, Gen 49:15 "and bowed his shoulder to bear", it is observed (k); that "this intimates that he was wise in wisdom, , "a breaker of the mountains", a shatterer in pieces of the rocks of dissensions and division various ways; as it is said, Jer 23:29 "is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" So a wise man, by the sharpness of his wit, breaks the mountains of difficulties, and divides them by the words of his mouth: hence they used to call the wise men by the names of Sinai, and a rooter of mountains; because they beat and brake the rocks in pieces, the traditions that are difficult and deep.'' The phrase is also used of removing difficulties in a civil and political sense, as well as in a theological one (l): but let a man be able to do ever such great things, yet if he has not "charity", love to God, to Christ and to his people, he is nothing at all; as the apostle says of himself, supposing it was his own case, I am nothing; not nothing as a man, nor nothing as a gifted man, still he would be a man, and a man of gifts; nor does the apostle say, that his gifts were nothing, that the gift of prophecy was nothing, or the gift of understanding mysteries nothing, or the gift of knowledge nothing, or the gift of doing miracles nothing, for these are all something, and very great things too, and yet a man in whom the grace of love is wanting, is nothing himself with all these; he is nothing in the account of God, of no esteem with him; he is nothing as a believer in Christ, nor nothing as a Christian. This is also a Jewish way of speaking; for they say (m), "as a bride that is to be adorned with four and twenty ornaments, if she wants anyone of them, , "she is nothing"; so a disciple of a wise man ought to be used to the twenty four books (of the Scripture), and if he is wanting in one of them, , "he is nothing".'' (c) T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 134. 1. & Succa, fol. 28. 1. (d) Zohar in Numb. fol. 60. 1. (e) Gregor. Pap. Dialog. l. 1. c. 7. (f) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 64. 1. Shalsheleth Hakabala, fol. 25. 2. Juchasin, fol. 95. 2. & 160. 2. Ganz Tzemach David, par. 1. fol. 32. 2. Halichot Olam, p. 23, 207. (g) Gloss. in T. Bab. Erubin, fol. 29. 1. Juchasin, fol. 44. 2. (h) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 24. 1. (i) T. Bab. Horayot, fol. 14. 1. Juchasin, fol. 112. 1. (k) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 39. 3. & 126. 4. (l) Vid. T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 3. 2. (m) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 18. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:2 If I . . . possessed all knowledge possibly refers to the gift of “special knowledge” (12:8).