1 Corinthians 13:7
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 13:7
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 13 is a hymn to love chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of hope, obedience, righteousness. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-13: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 13:7
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Analysis
Beareth all things (πάντα στέγει, panta stegei)—Stegō has two possible meanings:
- "to cover" (as a roof covers), suggesting love protects others by covering their faults (cf. 1 Peter 4:8, "love covers a multitude of sins")
- "to bear up under," suggesting endurance.
Both nuances fit: love both shields and endures.
Believeth all things (πάντα πιστεύει, panta pisteuei)—Not gullible credulity, but trusting others in the best possible light. Love doesn't assume the worst, isn't cynical or suspicious, gives the benefit of the doubt. This doesn't mean naïveté—Jesus "knew what was in man" (John 2:24-25)—but rather refusing to prejudge or assume malice.
Hopeth all things (πάντα ἐλπίζει, panta elpizei)—Elpizō is confident expectation, not wishful thinking. Love maintains hope for others' redemption, growth, and change. It doesn't write people off as hopeless cases. This hope rests in God's transforming power, not human potential.
Endureth all things (πάντα ὑπομένει, panta hypomenei)—Hypomenō means steadfast perseverance under trial. Love doesn't quit when relationships become difficult. The four panta ("all things") emphasize love's comprehensive, unwavering character. Together they present love as protective, trusting, hopeful, and persistent—the very opposite of the Corinthians' quick divisions and broken relationships.
Historical Context
The Corinthian church exhibited the opposite of these qualities: divisions instead of covering faults (1:10-13), suspicion and judgment instead of believing the best (4:1-5), giving up on difficult brothers (5:1-5; 6:1-8), and abandoning relational endurance. Roman society quickly severed relationships when inconvenient. Paul presents Christ's love—which covered our sins, believed in our redemption, hoped for our transformation, and endured the cross—as the model.
Reflection
- Which of these four qualities—bearing, believing, hoping, enduring—is most difficult for you in a specific strained relationship?
- How does Christ's endurance of the cross ('endured all things') and hope for your sanctification ('hopes all things') model this love?
- In what ways might cynicism or suspicion ('not believing all things') be protecting you from vulnerability but also preventing genuine love?
Word Studies
- Believe: πιστεύω (Pisteuo) G4100 - To believe, trust, have faith
Cross-References
- Faith: Psalms 119:66
- Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 9:12, 13:4, Proverbs 10:12, Galatians 6:2, 2 Timothy 2:24, 4:5