1 Corinthians 13:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
Ἡ
G3588
Ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπη
Charity
G26
ἀγάπη
Charity
Strong's:
G26
Word #:
2 of 14
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
ἐκπίπτει
faileth
G1601
ἐκπίπτει
faileth
Strong's:
G1601
Word #:
4 of 14
to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient
καταργηθήσεται
it shall vanish away
G2673
καταργηθήσεται
it shall vanish away
Strong's:
G2673
Word #:
8 of 14
to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
γλῶσσαι
there be tongues
G1100
γλῶσσαι
there be tongues
Strong's:
G1100
Word #:
10 of 14
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
παύσονται·
they shall cease
G3973
παύσονται·
they shall cease
Strong's:
G3973
Word #:
11 of 14
to stop (transitively or intransitively), i.e., restrain, quit, desist, come to an end
Cross References
1 Corinthians 13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.Galatians 5:6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.Hebrews 8:13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.1 Corinthians 13:10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.1 Corinthians 12:10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:Acts 19:6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Historical Context
By AD 55, the Corinthian church had elevated spiritual gifts (especially tongues and knowledge) as markers of spiritual maturity. Chapter 13 interrupts Paul's extended discussion (12-14) to relativize these gifts. In eternity, when we're with Christ, there will be no need for prophecy (we'll see Him), tongues (we'll communicate perfectly), or partial knowledge (we'll know fully). But love will continue forever.
Questions for Reflection
- How might your pursuit of spiritual experiences, theological knowledge, or ministry effectiveness be eclipsing the primacy of Christlike love?
- What does love's eternality reveal about why Jesus commanded love (John 13:34-35) as the identifying mark of discipleship rather than gifts?
- How should the temporary nature of even valued gifts like prophecy and knowledge affect how you prioritize spiritual growth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Charity never faileth (ἡ ἀγάπη οὐδέποτε πίπτει, hē agapē oudepote piptei)—Piptō means "to fall" or "fail." Love never collapses, expires, or becomes obsolete. Unlike gifts that are temporary tools for this age, love is eternal. This introduces the contrast between transient gifts and permanent love (verses 8-13).
But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail (εἴτε προφητεῖαι, καταργηθήσονται, eite prophēteiai, katargēthēsontai)—Katargeō means "to render inoperative, abolish, nullify." Prophecy, so valued by Paul (14:1), will be abolished when we see Christ face to face and no longer need mediated revelation.
Whether there be tongues, they shall cease (εἴτε γλῶσσαι, παύσονται, eite glōssai, pausontai)—Pauō means "to stop, come to an end." Tongues, the Corinthians' prized gift, will simply stop when their purpose is fulfilled. The middle voice suggests they will cease on their own.
Whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away (εἴτε γνῶσις, καταργηθήσεται, eite gnōsis, katargēthēsetai)—Even gnōsis (theological knowledge, doctrinal understanding) will be abolished in glory. Not because truth changes, but because partial knowledge gives way to complete knowledge. The three most celebrated gifts in Corinth—prophecy, tongues, knowledge—are temporary. Only love endures into eternity.