1 Corinthians 13:3
Parallel Verses
New International Version
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.


English Standard Version
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.


New American Standard Bible
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.


King James Bible
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.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.


International Standard Version
Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but have no love, I gain nothing.


American Standard Version
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.


Douay-Rheims Bible
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.


Darby Bible Translation
And if I shall dole out all my goods in food, and if I deliver up my body that I may be burned, but have not love, I profit nothing.


Young's Literal Translation
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.


Commentaries
13:1-3 The excellent way had in view in the close of the former chapter, is not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, almsgiving, but love in its fullest meaning; true love to God and man. Without this, the most glorious gifts are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. A clear head and a deep understanding, are of no value without a benevolent and charitable heart. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is not a liberal and charitable heart. Doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not done from love to God, and good-will to men. If we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will not profit. Nor even the most painful sufferings. How are those deluded who look for acceptance and reward for their good works, which are as scanty and defective as they are corrupt and selfish!

3. bestow … goods … poor—literally, "dole out in food" all my goods; one of the highest functions of the "helps" (1Co 12:28).

give … body to be burned—literally, "to such a degree as that I should be burned." As the three youths did (Da 3:28), "yielded their bodies" (compare 2Co 12:15). These are most noble exemplifications of love in giving and in suffering. Yet they may be without love; in which case the "goods" and "body" are given, but not the soul, which is the sphere of love. Without the soul God rejects all else, and so rejects the man, who is therefore "profited" nothing (Mt 16:26; Lu 9:23-25). Men will fight for Christianity, and die for Christianity, but not live in its spirit, which is love.

1 Corinthians 13:2
Top of Page
Top of Page




Bible Apps.com