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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:2 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Co 13:2 |
Strong Concordance |
And [2532] though [1437] I have [2192] the gift of prophecy [4394], and [2532] understand [1492] all [3956] mysteries [3466], and [2532] all [3956] knowledge [1108]; and [2532] though [1437] I have [2192] all [3956] faith [4102], so [5620] that I could remove [3179] mountains [3735], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am [1510] nothing [3762]. |
| |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
mysteries-- (Rom 11:25; Rom 16:25). Mysteries refer to the deep counsels of God hitherto secret, but now revealed to His saints. Knowledge, to truths long known.
faith . . . remove mountains-- (Mat 17:20; Mat 21:21). The practical power of the will elevated by faith [NEANDER]; confidence in God that the miraculous result will surely follow the exercise of the will at the secret impulse of His Spirit. Without "love" prophecy, knowledge, and faith, are not what they seem (compare Co1 8:1-2; Mat 7:22; Jam 2:14; compare Co1 13:8), and so fail of the heavenly reward (Mat 6:2). Thus Paul, who teaches justification by faith only (Rom 3:4-5; Gal 2:16; Gal 3:7-14), is shown to agree with James, who teaches (Jam 2:24) "by works" (that is, by LOVE, which is the "spirit" of faith, Jam 2:26) a man is justified, "and not by faith only." |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And though I have the gift of prophecy - See the note at Co1 12:10; note at Co1 14:1.
And understand all mysteries - On the meaning of the word "mystery" see note, Co1 2:7. This passage proves that it was one part of the prophetic office, as referred to here, to be able to understand and explain the "mysteries" of religion; that is, the things that were before unknown, or unrevealed. It does not refer to the prediction of future events, but to the great and deep truths connected with religion; the things that were unexplained in the old economy, the meaning of types and emblems; and the obscure portions of the plan of redemption. All these might be plain enough if they were revealed; but there were many things connected with religion which God had not chosen to reveal to people.
And all knowledge - See the note at Co1 12:8. Though I knew every thing. Though I were acquainted fully with all the doctrines of religion; and were with all sciences and arts.
And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains - Thould I should have the highest kind of faith. This is referred to by the Saviour Mat 17:20, as the highest kind of faith; and Paul here had this fact doubtless in his eye.
I am nothing - All would be of no value. it would not save me. I should still be an unredeemed, unpardoned sinner. I should do good to no one; I should answer none of the great purposes which God has designed; I should not by all this secure my salvation. All would be in vain in regard to the great purpose of my existence. None of these things could be placed before God as a ground of acceptance in the Day of Judgment. Unless I should have love, I should still be lost. A somewhat similar idea is expressed by the Saviour, in regard to the Day of Judgment, in Mat 7:22-23, "Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you depart from me, ye that work iniquity." |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
All mysteries (τὰ μυστήρια πάντα)
The mysteries, all of them. See on Rom 11:25. The article indicates the well-known spiritual problems which exercise men's minds.
All faith (πᾶσαν τὴν πίστιν)
All the special faith which works miracles. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| And though I have the gift of prophecy - Of foretelling future events. And understand all the mysteries - Both of God's word and providence. And all knowledge - Of things divine and human, that ever any mortal attained to. And though I have the highest degree of miracle working faith, and have not this love, I am nothing. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
And though I have the gift of prophecy - Though I should have received from God the knowledge of future events, so that I could correctly foretell what is coming to pass in the world and in the Church: -
And understand all mysteries - The meaning of all the types and figures in the Old Testament, and all the unexplored secrets of nature; and all knowledge - every human art and science; and though I have all faith - such miraculous faith as would enable me even to remove mountains; or had such powerful discernment in sacred things that I could solve the greatest difficulties, see the note on Mat 21:21, and have not charity - this love to God and man, as the principle and motive of all my conduct, the characteristics of which are given in the following verses; I am nothing - nothing in myself, nothing in the sight of God, nothing in the Church, and good for nothing to mankind. Balaam, and several others not under the influence of this love of God, prophesied; and we daily see many men, who are profound scholars, and well skilled in arts and sciences, and yet not only careless about religion but downright infidels! It does not require the tongue of the inspired to say that these men, in the sight of God, are nothing; nor can their literary or scientific acquisitions give them a passport to glory. |
26 For [1063] as [5618] the body [4983] without [5565] the spirit [4151] is [2076] dead [3498], so [3779] faith [4102] without [5565] works [2041] is [2076] dead [3498] also [2532].
24 Ye see [3708] then [5106] how that [3754] by [1537] works [2041] a man [444] is justified [1344], and [2532] not [3756] by [1537] faith [4102] only [3440].
7 Know ye [1097] therefore [686] that [3754] they which are of [1537] faith [4102], the same [3778] are [1526] the children [5207] of Abraham [11].
8 And [1161] the scripture [1124], foreseeing [4275] that [3754] God [2316] would justify [1344] the heathen [1484] through [1537] faith [4102], preached before the gospel [4283] unto Abraham [11], saying, [3754] In [1722] thee [4671] shall [1757] all [3956] nations [1484] be blessed [1757].
9 So then [5620] they which be of [1537] faith [4102] are blessed [2127] with [4862] faithful [4103] Abraham [11].
10 For [1063] as many as [3745] are [1526] of [1537] the works [2041] of the law [3551] are [1526] under [5259] the curse [2671]: for [1063] it is written [1125], Cursed [1944] is every one [3956] that [3739] continueth [1696] not [3756] in [1722] all things [3956] which [3588] are written [1125] in [1722] the book [975] of the law [3551] to do [4160] them [846].
11 But [1161] that [3754] no man [3762] is justified [1344] by [1722] the law [3551] in the sight [3844] of God [2316], it is evident [1212]: for [3754], The just [1342] shall live [2198] by [1537] faith [4102].
12 And [1161] the law [3551] is [2076] not [3756] of [1537] faith [4102]: but [235], The man [444] that doeth [4160] them [846] shall live [2198] in [1722] them [846].
13 Christ [5547] hath redeemed [1805] us [2248] from [1537] the curse [2671] of the law [3551], being made [1096] a curse [2671] for [5228] us [2257]: for [1063] it is written [1125], Cursed [1944] is every one [3956] that hangeth [2910] on [1909] a tree [3586]:
14 That [2443] the blessing [2129] of Abraham [11] might come [1096] on [1519] the Gentiles [1484] through [1722] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]; that [2443] we might receive [2983] the promise [1860] of the Spirit [4151] through [1223] faith [4102].
16 Knowing [1492] that [3754] a man [444] is [1344] not [3756] justified [1344] by [1537] the works [2041] of the law [3551], but [3362] by [1223] the faith [4102] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], even [2532] we [2249] have believed [4100] in [1519] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], that [2443] we might be justified [1344] by [1537] the faith [4102] of Christ [5547], and [2532] not [3756] by [1537] the works [2041] of the law [3551]: for [1360] by [1537] the works [2041] of the law [3551] shall [1344] no [3756] [3956] flesh [4561] be justified [1344].
4 God forbid [3361] [1096]: yea [1161], let [1096] God [2316] be [1096] true [227], but [1161] every [3956] man [444] a liar [5583]; as [2531] it is written [1125], That [3704] thou mightest [302] be justified [1344] in [1722] thy [4675] sayings [3056], and [2532] mightest overcome [3528] when [1722] thou [4571] art judged [2919].
5 But [1161] if [1487] our [2257] unrighteousness [93] commend [4921] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316], what [5101] shall we say [2046]? [3361] Is God [2316] unrighteous [94] who taketh [2018] vengeance [3709]? (I speak [3004] as [2596] a man [444])
2 Therefore [3767] when [3752] thou doest [4160] thine alms [1654], do [4537] not [3361] sound a trumpet [4537] before [1715] thee [4675], as [5618] the hypocrites [5273] do [4160] in [1722] the synagogues [4864] and [2532] in [1722] the streets [4505], that [3704] they may have glory [1392] of [5259] men [444]. Verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], They have [568] their [846] reward [3408].
8 Charity [26] never [3763] faileth [1601]: but [1161] whether [1535] there be prophecies [4394], they shall fail [2673]; whether [1535] there be tongues [1100], they shall cease [3973]; whether [1535] there be knowledge [1108], it shall vanish away [2673].
14 What [5101] doth it profit [3786], my [3450] brethren [80], though [1437] a man [5100] say [3004] he hath [2192] faith [4102], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] works [2041]? can [1410] [3361] faith [4102] save [4982] him [846]?
22 Many [4183] will say [2046] to me [3427] in [1722] that [1565] day [2250], Lord [2962], Lord [2962], have we [4395] not [3756] prophesied [4395] in thy [4674] name [3686]? and [2532] in thy [4674] name [3686] have cast out [1544] devils [1140]? and [2532] in thy [4674] name [3686] done [4160] many [4183] wonderful works [1411]?
1 Now [1161] as touching [4012] things offered unto idols [1494], we know [1492] that [3754] we all [3956] have [2192] knowledge [1108]. Knowledge [1108] puffeth up [5448], but [1161] charity [26] edifieth [3618].
2 And [1161] if any man [1536] think [1380] that he knoweth [1492] any thing [5100], he knoweth [1097] nothing [3762] yet [3764] as [2531] he ought [1163] to know [1097].
21 Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [1161] said [2036] unto them [846], Verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], If [1437] ye have [2192] faith [4102], and [2532] doubt [1252] not [3361], ye shall [4160] not [3756] only [3440] do [4160] this [3440] which is done to the fig tree [4808], but [235] also if [2579] ye shall say [2036] unto this [5129] mountain [3735], Be thou removed [142], and [2532] be thou cast [906] into [1519] the sea [2281]; it shall be done [1096].
20 And [1161] Jesus [2424] said [2036] unto them [846], Because [1223] of your [5216] unbelief [570]: for [1063] verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], If [1437] ye have [2192] faith [4102] as [5613] a grain [2848] of mustard seed [4615], ye shall say [2046] unto this [5129] mountain [3735], Remove [3327] hence [1782] to yonder place [1563]; and [2532] it shall remove [3327]; and [2532] nothing [3762] shall be impossible [101] unto you [5213].
25 Now [1161] to him that is of power [1410] to stablish [4741] you [5209] according [2596] to my [3450] gospel [2098], and [2532] the preaching [2782] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], according [2596] to the revelation [602] of the mystery [3466], which was kept secret [4601] since the world began [5550] [166],
25 For [1063] I would [2309] not [3756], brethren [80], that ye [5209] should be ignorant [50] of this [5124] mystery [3466], lest [3363] ye should be [5600] wise [5429] in [3844] your own conceits [1438]; that [3754] blindness [4457] in [575] part [3313] is happened [1096] to Israel [2474], until [891] [3739] the fulness [4138] of the Gentiles [1484] be come in [1525].
22 Many [4183] will say [2046] to me [3427] in [1722] that [1565] day [2250], Lord [2962], Lord [2962], have we [4395] not [3756] prophesied [4395] in thy [4674] name [3686]? and [2532] in thy [4674] name [3686] have cast out [1544] devils [1140]? and [2532] in thy [4674] name [3686] done [4160] many [4183] wonderful works [1411]?
23 And [2532] then [5119] will I profess [3670] unto them [846], [3754] I never [3763] knew [1097] you [5209]: depart [672] from [575] me [1700], ye that work [2038] iniquity [458].
20 And [1161] Jesus [2424] said [2036] unto them [846], Because [1223] of your [5216] unbelief [570]: for [1063] verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], If [1437] ye have [2192] faith [4102] as [5613] a grain [2848] of mustard seed [4615], ye shall say [2046] unto this [5129] mountain [3735], Remove [3327] hence [1782] to yonder place [1563]; and [2532] it shall remove [3327]; and [2532] nothing [3762] shall be impossible [101] unto you [5213].
8 For [1063] to one [3739] [3303] is given [1325] by [1223] the Spirit [4151] the word [3056] of wisdom [4678]; [1161] to another [243] the word [3056] of knowledge [1108] by [2596] the same [846] Spirit [4151];
7 But [235] we speak [2980] the wisdom [4678] of God [2316] in [1722] a mystery [3466], even the hidden [613] wisdom, which [3739] God [2316] ordained [4309] before [4253] the world [165] unto [1519] our [2257] glory [1391]:
1 Follow [1377] after charity [26], and [1161] desire [2206] spiritual [4152] gifts, but [1161] rather [3123] that [2443] ye may prophesy [4395].
10 [1161] To another [243] the working [1755] of miracles [1411]; [1161] to another [243] prophecy [4394]; [1161] to another [243] discerning [1253] of spirits [4151]; [1161] to another [2087] divers kinds [1085] of tongues [1100]; [1161] to another [243] the interpretation [2058] of tongues [1100]:
25 For [1063] I would [2309] not [3756], brethren [80], that ye [5209] should be ignorant [50] of this [5124] mystery [3466], lest [3363] ye should be [5600] wise [5429] in [3844] your own conceits [1438]; that [3754] blindness [4457] in [575] part [3313] is happened [1096] to Israel [2474], until [891] [3739] the fulness [4138] of the Gentiles [1484] be come in [1525].
21 Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [1161] said [2036] unto them [846], Verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], If [1437] ye have [2192] faith [4102], and [2532] doubt [1252] not [3361], ye shall [4160] not [3756] only [3440] do [4160] this [3440] which is done to the fig tree [4808], but [235] also if [2579] ye shall say [2036] unto this [5129] mountain [3735], Be thou removed [142], and [2532] be thou cast [906] into [1519] the sea [2281]; it shall be done [1096].