1.

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.

Verse 1
Charity; true Christian love.

2.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Verse 2
All knowledge; all religious knowledge.--So that I could remove mountains, referring, perhaps, to our Savior's declaration. Matthew 17:20.

3.

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.

Verse 3
And have not charity; honest kindness of feeling. The goods might be bestowed in ostentation and parade.

4.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Verse 4
Suffereth long; is patient and forbearing.--Vaunteth not itself; is not boastful.--Is not puffed up; with vanity and self-conceit.

5.

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Verse 5
Unseemly; in a manner deserving of reproach.--Thinketh no evil, is not jealous and suspicious.

6.

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Verse 6
Rejoiceth not in iniquity; does not take a malignant pleasure in the faults and sins of others.

7.

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Verse 7
Believeth all things; is trustful; putting always the best construction upon the motives and conduct of others.

8.

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.

Verse 8
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 1 Corinthians 13:9,1 Corinthians 13:10.

9.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Verse 9
In part; imperfectly.

10.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Verse 10
Shall be done away; that is, the uncertain and imperfect attainments made in this life will be superseded by clear and certain knowledge.

11.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Verse 11
Childish things; childish ideas. The knowledge which he prized in childhood, was found of little value when he reached mature years.

12.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Verse 12
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.

13.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Verse 13
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.