Part 218

12:31. But be zealous for the better gifts. And I shew unto you yet a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians Chapter 13

Charity is to be preferred before all gifts.

13:1. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

13:2. And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

13:3. 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.

13:4. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up,

13:5. Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil:

13:6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth:

13:7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

13:8. Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void or tongues shall cease or knowledge shall be destroyed.

13:9. For we know in part: and we prophesy in part.

13:10. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

13:11. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child.

13:12. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known.

13:13. And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians Chapter 14

The gift of prophesying is to be preferred before that of speaking strange tongues.

14:1. Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.

Prophesy. . .That is, declare or expound the mysteries of faith.

14:2. For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Not unto men. . .Viz., so as to be heard, that is, so as to be understood by them.

14:3. But he that prophesieth speaketh to men unto edification and exhortation and comfort.

14:4. He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

14:5. And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

14:6. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or in doctrine?

14:7. Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

14:8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?