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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/46_1Co_13_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 13:13 - Love" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_corinthians/13-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_corinthians/13-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/">1 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-12.htm" title="1 Corinthians 13:12">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 13:13 <a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm" title="1 Corinthians 14:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/13.htm">New International Version</a> And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/13.htm">New Living Translation</a> Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But now these three things abide: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/13.htm">King James Bible</a> And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/13.htm">New King James Version</a> And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But now abide faith, hope, love—these three; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the best one of these is love. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> Right now three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/13.htm">NET Bible</a> And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And so there remain Faith, Hope, Love--these three; and of these the greatest is Love. <a href="/web/1_corinthians/13.htm">World English Bible</a> But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and now there remains faith, hope, love—these three; and the greatest of these [is] love. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But now these three things abide: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and now there doth remain faith, hope, love -- these three; and the greatest of these is love. <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And now remains faith, hope, love, these three; and the greater of these, love.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But for now, these three continue: faith, hope, and charity. And the greatest of these is charity. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/13.htm">New American Bible</a> So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/13.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For there are these three things that endure: Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love. <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/13.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/13.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But now abide faith, hope, divine love, these three; but the greatest of these is divine love. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/13.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greater of these is love.<CM> <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/13.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and now faith, hope, social virtue, these three will all remain; but the most permanent of the three is social virtue. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And so there remain Faith, Hope, Love--these three; and of these the greatest is Love. <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/13.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But now abides faith, hope, love; these three; and the greatest of these is love. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/13.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three graces; but the greatest of these is love. <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=2862" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Love</a> …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. 13<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">And</a> <a href="/greek/3570.htm" title="3570: Nyni (Adv) -- A prolonged form of nun for emphasis; just now.">now</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tauta (DPro-NNP) -- This; he, she, it. ">these</a> <a href="/greek/5140.htm" title="5140: tria (Adj-NNP) -- Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; three.">three</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: menei (V-PIA-3S) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">remain:</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistis (N-NFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith,</a> <a href="/greek/1680.htm" title="1680: elpis (N-NFS) -- Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.">hope,</a> <a href="/greek/26.htm" title="26: agapē (N-NFS) -- From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.">and love;</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: meizōn (Adj-NFS-C) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">the greatest</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutōn (DPro-GNP) -- This; he, she, it. ">of these is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/26.htm" title="26: agapē (N-NFS) -- From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.">love.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a> 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. <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. <a href="/romans/5-5.htm">Romans 5:5</a> And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. <a href="/colossians/3-14.htm">Colossians 3:14</a> And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. <a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a> A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” <a href="/1_john/3-16.htm">1 John 3:16-18</a> By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. / If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. <a href="/ephesians/3-17.htm">Ephesians 3:17-19</a> so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, / will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth / of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a> Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. <a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a> Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/1_john/4-16.htm">1 John 4:16</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a> Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ... <a href="/1_john/4-18.htm">1 John 4:18</a> 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. <a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1</a> Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. <a href="/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14-17</a> What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ... <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:3</a> and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And now stays faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.abideth.<a href="/1_corinthians/3-14.htm">1 Corinthians 3:14</a> If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.<a href="/1_peter/1-21.htm">1 Peter 1:21</a> Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.<a href="/1_john/2-14.htm">1 John 2:14,24</a> I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one… faith.<a href="/luke/8-13.htm">Luke 8:13-15</a> They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away… <a href="/luke/22-32.htm">Luke 22:32</a> But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.<a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a> For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.hope.<a href="/psalms/42-11.htm">Psalm 42:11</a> Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.<a href="/psalms/43-5.htm">Psalm 43:5</a> Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.<a href="/psalms/146-5.htm">Psalm 146:5</a> Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:charity.<a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1-8</a> 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… <a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">1 Corinthians 8:1,3</a> Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth… <a href="/2_corinthians/5-10.htm">2 Corinthians 5:10,15</a> For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad… the greatest.<a href="/1_corinthians/13-8.htm">1 Corinthians 13:8</a> 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.<a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm">1 Corinthians 14:1</a> Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.<a href="/1_corinthians/16-14.htm">1 Corinthians 16:14</a> Let all your things be done with charity.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/7-40.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-14.htm">Abideth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-8.htm">Charity</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-7.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-31.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/acts/8-10.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-7.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-8.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-8.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/16-6.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-9.htm">Abideth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm">Charity</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-22.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-5.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-2.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-19.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-27.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 13</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">All gifts,</a> 3. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">however excellent, are of no worth without love.</a> 4. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">The praises thereof,</a> 13. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">as love is greatest before hope and faith.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And now these three remain: This phrase indicates a conclusion to the preceding discussion on spiritual gifts and their temporary nature. Paul emphasizes the enduring qualities that surpass the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. The context of <a href="/1_corinthians/13.htm">1 Corinthians 13</a> is a discourse on love, set within a broader discussion of spiritual gifts in chapters 12 and 14. The permanence of faith, hope, and love contrasts with the temporary nature of spiritual gifts, which will cease when perfection comes (<a href="/1_corinthians/13-8.htm">1 Corinthians 13:8-10</a>).faith, hope, and love; These three virtues are central to Christian life and are often mentioned together in the New Testament (e.g., <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5</a>:8; <a href="/colossians/1-4.htm">Colossians 1:4-5</a>). Faith refers to trust and belief in God and His promises, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised, and love is the selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love that God shows and commands His followers to exhibit. These virtues are foundational to the Christian experience and are seen as the fruit of the Spirit's work in a believer's life (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a>).but the greatest of these is love. Love is considered the greatest because it is the very nature of God (1 <a href="/john/4-8.htm">John 4:8</a>) and the fulfillment of the law (<a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Romans 13:10</a>). While faith and hope are essential, love is the greatest because it is eternal and will continue even when faith becomes sight and hope is realized. Love is the ultimate expression of God's character and the defining mark of a true disciple of Christ (<a href="/john/13-35.htm">John 13:35</a>). In the context of 1 Corinthians, love is the more excellent way that Paul urges the Corinthians to pursue, transcending the divisions and immaturity present in the church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and epistles that form a significant portion of the New Testament. 2. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> An ancient city in Greece where the church to whom Paul was writing was located. Corinth was known for its diverse population and moral challenges, which influenced the issues addressed in the letter. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a> The recipients of the letter, this early Christian community faced various challenges, including divisions, immorality, and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_primacy_of_love.htm">The Primacy of Love</a> Love is the greatest of the three virtues because it is eternal and reflects the very nature of God. While faith and hope are essential, love is the ultimate expression of Christian maturity and the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/topical/f/faith_as_the_foundation.htm">Faith as the Foundation</a> Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. It is through faith that we accept Christ and begin our journey as believers. It is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. <a href="/topical/h/hope_as_the_anchor.htm">Hope as the Anchor</a> Hope provides us with the assurance of God's promises and the expectation of eternal life. It anchors our soul, keeping us steadfast in trials and focused on the future glory. <a href="/topical/l/love_in_action.htm">Love in Action</a> Love is not merely an emotion but an action. It is demonstrated through selfless acts, patience, kindness, and truth. As believers, we are called to love others as Christ loved us. <a href="/topical/t/the_eternal_nature_of_love.htm">The Eternal Nature of Love</a> Unlike faith and hope, which will find their fulfillment in eternity, love will continue forever. It is the essence of God's kingdom and the greatest commandment given to us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 13</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_seven_cardinal_virtues.htm">What are the seven cardinal virtues?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_three_theological_virtues.htm">What are the three theological virtues?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'love_always_hopes'_mean.htm">What does 'Love Always Hopes' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_maltheism_mean.htm">What are the three theological virtues?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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 <a href="/matthew/26-35.htm" title="Peter said to him, Though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you. Likewise also said all the disciples.">Matthew 26:35</a>; <a href="/galatians/5-6.htm" title="For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.">Galatians 5:6</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - And now. The "now" is not temporal (as opposed to the "then" of the previous verse), but logical. It sums up the paragraph. Abideth. These three graces are fundamental and permanent; not transient, like the charisms, on which the Corinthians were priding themselves, but which should all be "annulled." Faith, hope, charity. It might be difficult to see how "hope" should be permanent. But if the future state be progressive throughout eternity and infinitude, hope will never quite be lost in fruition. Even "within the veil," it will still remain as "an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast" (<a href="/hebrews/6-19.htm">Hebrews 6:19</a>). The greatest of these is charity; more literally, greater than these is love. St. Paul does not explain why love is the greatest and best of the three. Various reasons may be given. 1. Love is the greatest, because it is the root of the other two; "we believe only in that which we love; we hope only for that which we love. 2. And love is the greatest because love is for our neighbours; faith and hope mainly for ourselves. 3. And love is the greatest because faith and hope are human, but God is love. . . . <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. now Νυνὶ (Nyni) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3570.htm">Strong's 3570: </a> A prolonged form of nun for emphasis; just now. these ταῦτα (tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. three τρία (tria) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5140.htm">Strong's 5140: </a> Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'. remain: μένει (menei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. faith, πίστις (pistis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. hope, ἐλπίς (elpis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1680.htm">Strong's 1680: </a> Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence. [and] love; ἀγάπη (agapē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_26.htm">Strong's 26: </a> From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. [the] greatest μείζων (meizōn) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular - Comparative <a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> Large, great, in the widest sense. of these [is] τούτων (toutōn) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. love. ἀγάπη (agapē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_26.htm">Strong's 26: </a> From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">1 Corinthians 13:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 13:13 But now faith hope and love remain--these (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 13:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 13:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 14:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 14:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>