1 Corinthians 13:7
What does 1 Corinthians 13:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 13:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 13:7 means
Love bears all things: it shoulders burdens and, when appropriate, covers faults rather than exposing them. It believes all things: not that it is gullible, but that it chooses a charitable reading of people whenever possible. It hopes all things: it expects God to work, looking for redemption rather than assuming failure. It endures all things: it remains steadfast under trial, refusing to give up on people or promises. This fourfold cadence shows love’s resilience. It does not quit when wounded, disappointed, or exhausted. It takes the long view, trusting God’s faithfulness and pressing on in patient, courageous commitment to others’ good.
1 Corinthians 13:7 in context
1 Corinthians 13 — The More Excellent Way
Set in the middle of Paul's discussion of spiritual gifts, this chapter is the great hymn of love. Eloquence without love is noisy brass. Knowledge, faith, and self-sacrifice without love profit nothing. Love is patient and kind, does not envy or boast, is not arrogant or rude, does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful, rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Tongues will cease and knowledge pass away, but love never fails.
- Christian love
- Gifts in proportion
- Permanence of love
- Maturity
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862all things it beareth, all it believeth, all it hopeth, all it endureth.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Context
This verse caps the portrait of love’s character begun in verse 4. It gathers love’s dispositions into a sweeping, all-weather endurance. The language prepares for the next section by hinting at permanence: love lasts. From verse 8 onward, Paul will contrast love’s unfailing nature with the temporary character of certain spiritual gifts, shifting from love’s quality to its durability.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
- Luke 7:44
And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.
- 2 Timothy 2:24
And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,
- 1 Corinthians 9:18
What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.
- Luke 7:37
And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
- Romans 8:24
For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?
Sermon ideas from 1 Corinthians 13:7
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What 1 Corinthians 13:7 teaches us about christian love
What 1 Corinthians 13:7 teaches us about gifts in proportion
What 1 Corinthians 13:7 teaches us about permanence of love
What 1 Corinthians 13:7 teaches us about maturity
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