Illustrated New Testament1 Corinthians 13

Charity; true Christian love.

All knowledge; all religious knowledge.—So that I could remove mountains, referring, perhaps, to our Savior's declaration. Matt. 17:20.

And have not charity; honest kindness of feeling. The goods might be bestowed in ostentation and parade.

Suffereth long; is patient and forbearing.—Vaunteth not itself; is not boastful.—Is not puffed up; with vanity and self-conceit.

Unseemly; in a manner deserving of reproach.—Thinketh no evil, is not jealous and suspicious.

Rejoiceth not in iniquity; does not take a malignant pleasure in the faults and sins of others.

Believeth all things; is trustful; putting always the best construction upon the motives and conduct of others.

Charity never faileth; it is a steady and permanent principle which shall endure forever.—It shall vanish away; that is, its importance and value, and the prominence which its possessor now derives from it, shall disappear. This must necessarily be, as is shown in the two following verses.

In part; imperfectly.

Shall be done away; that is, the uncertain and imperfect attainments made in this life will be superseded by clear and certain knowledge.

Childish things; childish ideas. The knowledge which he prized in childhood, was found of little value when he reached mature years.

Even as also I am known; thoroughly, perfectly; and of course all present attainments in knowledge on which men now pride themselves so much, will be superseded and become worthless.

And now abideth, &c.; are permanent. The idea is, that the only spiritual gifts which are of permanent and lasting value, axe those moral graces which adorn the inward character.