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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 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/46_1Co_13_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 13:3 - Love" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing." /><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'; 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but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And if I may give away all my possessions, and I may deliver up my body that I may boast, but have not love, I am profited nothing. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/13.htm">King James Bible</a> And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/13.htm">New King James Version</a> And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And if I give away all my possessions to charity, and if I surrender my body so that I may glory, but do not have love, it does me no good. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I may even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don't have love, none of these things will help me. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned--but if I have no love, this does me no good. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but have no love, I gain nothing. <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/13.htm">NET Bible</a> If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if I distribute all my possessions to the poor, and give up my body to be burned, but am destitute of Love, it profits me nothing. <a href="/web/1_corinthians/13.htm">World English Bible</a> If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and if I give away all my goods to feed others, and if I give up my body that I may be burned, and do not have love, I am profited nothing. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And if I may give away all my possessions, and I may deliver up my body that I may boast, but have not love, I am profited nothing. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and if I give away to feed others all my goods, and if I give up my body that I may be burned, and have not love, I am profited nothing. <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And if I feed out all my goods, and if I deliver my body that I be burned, and have not love, I am profited nothing.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And if I distribute all my goods in order to feed the poor, and if I hand over my body to be burned, yet not have charity, it offers me nothing. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/13.htm">New American Bible</a> If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love in my heart, I gain nothing. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/13.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And if I should feed everything that I have to the poor, and if I hand over my body to be burned up and I have no love in me, I gain nothing.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/13.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and though I deliver up my body to be burned, and have not love, I am profited nothing.<CM> <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/13.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And if I give all my goods to feed the poor, and if I may give my body that I shall be burnt, and have not divine love, I am profited as to nothing. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/13.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And if I deal out all my goods in alms, and deliver up my body that I should be burned, but have not love, I am nothing advantaged by it. <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/13.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and tho' I distribute my whole substance to the poor, and give my body to be burned, and have not social affection, it profits me nothing. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if I distribute all my possessions to the poor, and give up my body to be burned, but am destitute of Love, it profits me nothing. <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/13.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, if I bestow in morsels all my goods; and, if I give my body to he burned, but have not love, I am profited nothing. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/13.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And though I give all my substance to feed the poor, and my body to be burnt, and have not charity, I am nothing profited. <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/13-3.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=2768" 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> …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. 3<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/5595.htm" title="5595: psōmisō (V-ASA-1S) -- To feed, dole out. From the base of psomion; to supply with bits, i.e. to nourish.">I give</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panta (Adj-ANP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5225.htm" title="5225: hyparchonta (V-PPA-ANP) -- To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).">possess to the poor</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that."></a> <a href="/greek/2744.htm" title="2744: kauchēsōmai (V-ASM-1S) -- To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.">exult</a> <a href="/greek/3860.htm" title="3860: paradō (V-ASA-1S) -- From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.">in the surrender</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">of my</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4983.htm" title="4983: sōma (N-ANS) -- Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.">body,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echō (V-PSA-1S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">have</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">not</a> <a href="/greek/26.htm" title="26: agapēn (N-AFS) -- From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.">love,</a> <a href="/greek/5623.htm" title="5623: ōpheloumai (V-PIM/P-1S) -- To help, benefit, do good, be useful (to), profit. From the same as opheleia; to be useful, i.e. To benefit.">I gain</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: ouden (Adj-ANS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">nothing.</a> 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.…<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="/matthew/6-1.htm">Matthew 6:1-4</a> “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. / So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ... <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a> Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ <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="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a> For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love. <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="/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9-10</a> Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. / Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. <a href="/philippians/1-15.htm">Philippians 1:15-17</a> It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. / The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. / The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains. <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="/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="/2_corinthians/9-7.htm">2 Corinthians 9:7</a> Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. <a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3-7</a> “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. / Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? ... <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a> “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ... <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a> To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.though I bestow.<a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Matthew 6:1-4</a> Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven… <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5</a> But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,<a href="/luke/18-22.htm">Luke 18:22,28</a> Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me… though I give.<a href="/daniel/3-16.htm">Daniel 3:16-28</a> Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter… <a href="/matthew/7-22.htm">Matthew 7:22,23</a> Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? … <a href="/john/13-37.htm">John 13:37</a> Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.profiteth.<a href="/isaiah/57-12.htm">Isaiah 57:12</a> I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.<a href="/jeremiah/7-8.htm">Jeremiah 7:8</a> Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.<a href="/john/6-63.htm">John 6:63</a> It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/12-23.htm">Bestow</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-27.htm">Body</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-15.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">Charity</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-23.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">Destitute</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm">Distribute</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Dole</a> <a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-15.htm">Flames</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-34.htm">Food</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-22.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-30.htm">Goods</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-31.htm">Others</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-22.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/acts/28-7.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-7.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Profited</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Profiteth</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Profits</a> <a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Surrender</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_corinthians/6-10.htm">Bestow</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-35.htm">Body</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-2.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">Charity</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-24.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-22.htm">Destitute</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Distribute</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Dole</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm">Flames</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-10.htm">Food</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-12.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">Goods</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">Others</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-12.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-10.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-14.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-6.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/galatians/1-14.htm">Profited</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm">Profiteth</a> <a href="/job/34-9.htm">Profits</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-24.htm">Surrender</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>If I give all I possess to the poor This phrase emphasizes the act of giving, which is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Jewish tradition, almsgiving was a significant aspect of religious life, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/15-11.htm">Deuteronomy 15:11</a>, which commands generosity towards the poor. Jesus also highlighted the importance of giving in passages like <a href="/matthew/6-2.htm">Matthew 6:2-4</a>, where He instructs on giving in secret. The act of giving all possessions echoes the story of the rich young ruler in <a href="/matthew/19-21.htm">Matthew 19:21</a>, where Jesus challenges him to sell all he has and give to the poor. This phrase underscores the idea that even the most sacrificial acts of charity are meaningless without love, aligning with the teachings of Jesus in <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a>, where love is the greatest commandment.and exult in the surrender of my body This phrase can be understood in the context of martyrdom or extreme self-sacrifice. In the early Christian church, martyrdom was seen as the ultimate testimony of faith, as evidenced by the accounts of Stephen in <a href="/acts/7.htm">Acts 7</a> and the Apostle Paul’s own sufferings described in <a href="/2_corinthians/11-23.htm">2 Corinthians 11:23-28</a>. The phrase suggests a willingness to endure physical suffering or even death for a cause. However, Paul emphasizes that even such extreme acts are devoid of value without love. This reflects Jesus' teaching in <a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13</a>, where the greatest love is to lay down one's life for friends, highlighting that the motivation behind the act is crucial.but have not love Love is the central theme of this passage and is described in detail in the verses that follow. The Greek word used here is "agape," which refers to selfless, unconditional love. This type of love is a reflection of God's nature, as seen in 1 <a href="/john/4-8.htm">John 4:8</a>, where God is described as love. The absence of love renders all actions, no matter how noble, ineffective and empty. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a>, where love is the defining mark of His disciples. The emphasis on love as essential for meaningful action is a recurring theme in Paul's letters, such as in <a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Romans 13:10</a>, where love is the fulfillment of the law.I gain nothing This conclusion underscores the futility of actions performed without love. The concept of gaining or losing is prevalent in Jesus' teachings, such as in <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26</a>, where He questions the profit of gaining the world but losing one's soul. Paul’s assertion that he gains nothing without love highlights the eternal perspective that values love above all else. This reflects the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, where treasures in heaven are prioritized over earthly gains (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>). The phrase serves as a sobering reminder that true spiritual gain is measured by love, not by outward acts or sacrifices.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/apostle_paul.htm">Apostle Paul</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul was addressing the church in Corinth, a city known for its diversity and moral challenges. He wrote to correct misunderstandings and to guide the church in living out the Christian faith. 2. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and immorality. The church in Corinth faced many challenges, including divisions and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts and love. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a> The recipients of Paul's letter, they were struggling with issues of division, immorality, and a misunderstanding of spiritual gifts and love.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_primacy_of_love.htm">The Primacy of Love</a> Love is the essential ingredient that gives value to all actions. Without love, even the most sacrificial acts are empty. <a href="/topical/s/sacrificial_acts_vs._love.htm">Sacrificial Acts vs. Love</a> Sacrifices and good deeds, while commendable, must be motivated by genuine love to be of spiritual benefit. <a href="/topical/l/love_as_a_reflection_of_god.htm">Love as a Reflection of God</a> Since God is love, our actions should reflect His nature. Love should be the driving force behind all we do. <a href="/topical/e/evaluating_motives.htm">Evaluating Motives</a> Regularly assess the motives behind your actions. Are they driven by love or by a desire for recognition or self-righteousness? <a href="/topical/p/practical_love_in_community.htm">Practical Love in Community</a> In church and community life, prioritize love in interactions and service, ensuring that all actions are rooted in genuine care for others.<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_does_'love_is_selfless'_mean.htm">What does 'love is not self-seeking' mean?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_christians_act_like_non-christians.htm">Why do Christians often act just like non-Christians?</a> <a href="/q/does_love_always_involve_trust.htm">Does love always involve trust?</a> <a href="/q/why_doesn't_the_church_aid_the_poor.htm">Why doesn’t the church do more to help the poor?</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>(3) Bestow all my goods.--The Greek word literally means to feed others by giving them morsels of food, and so we have the thought of a charity extensive in its diffusion, as well as complete in its self-sacrifice. The whole of the bestower's property given in charity, and so divided as to reach the largest number.I give my body to be burned.--A still greater proof of devotion to some person or cause, is the sacrifice of life; yet even that may be without love. A strange reading has crept into some MSS.--"that I may boast"--which would make the passage mean that a man gave his body to some torture from a wrong motive, viz., vain-glory. But this would weaken the force of the passage. What renders the self-sacrifice valueless is not a wrong cause, but the absence of love as the motive power. Although burning was not a form of martyrdom at this time, yet such histories as that of the three children in <a href="/daniel/3-19.htm" title="Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.">Daniel 3:19</a> would make the expression intelligible and forcible.These words are historically interesting to the English Church. They formed the text from which Dr. Smith preached at the martyrdom of Latimer and Ridley!<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor. The five words, "bestow to feed the poor," represent the one Greek word psomiso, and after all do not give its force. It is derived from psomion, a mouthful, and so means "give away by mouthfuls," i.e. "dole away." It occurs in <a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20</a> for "feed." Attention to this verse might have served as a warning against the often useless and sometimes even pernicious doles of mediaeval monasteries. Much of the "charity" of these days is even more uncharitable than this, and shows the most complete absence of true charity; as for instance the dropping of pennies to professional beggars, and so putting a premium on vice and imposture. To be burned. The reading is extremely uncertain. The change of a letter gives the reading, that I may glory (καυχήσωμαι for καυθήσωμαι). Perhaps the scribes thought that "death by burning" was as yet (A.D. 57) an unheard of form of martyrdom, though it became but too familiar ten or twelve years later in the Neronian persecution. St. Paul was, however, probably referring, not, as some have supposed, to branding, which would bare been expressed differently, but to the case of the "three children," in <a href="/daniel/3-23.htm">Daniel 3:23</a>, where the LXX. has, "They gave their bodies into the fire;" or to the various tortures and deaths by fire in 2 Macc. 7. At the burning of Ridley and Latimer, Dr. Smith chose this verse for his text. Its applicability is on a par with millions of other instances in which Scripture has been grossly abused by employing its letter to murder its spirit, and by taking it from the God of love to give it to the devil of religious hatred. The burning of a saint was a singular specimen of the Church's "love." It profiteth me nothing; literally, I am nothing benefited. A consideration of this verse might have shown the Christians of the early centuries that there was nothing intrinsically redemptive in the martyrdom into which they often thrust themselves. <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. I give ψωμίσω (psōmisō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5595.htm">Strong's 5595: </a> To feed, dole out. From the base of psomion; to supply with bits, i.e. to nourish. all πάντα (panta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. I μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. possess {to the poor} ὑπάρχοντά (hyparchonta) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5225.htm">Strong's 5225: </a> To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb). and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. exult καυχήσωμαι (kauchēsōmai) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2744.htm">Strong's 2744: </a> To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt. in the surrender παραδῶ (paradō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3860.htm">Strong's 3860: </a> From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit. of my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. body, σῶμά (sōma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4983.htm">Strong's 4983: </a> Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. have ἔχω (echō) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. not μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. love, ἀγάπην (agapēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_26.htm">Strong's 26: </a> From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast. I gain ὠφελοῦμαι (ōpheloumai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5623.htm">Strong's 5623: </a> To help, benefit, do good, be useful (to), profit. From the same as opheleia; to be useful, i.e. To benefit. nothing. οὐδὲν (ouden) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I dole out all my goods (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 13:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 13:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 13:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 13:4" /></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>