1 Corinthians 13:6
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 13:6
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 13 is a hymn to love chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of discipleship, sacrifice, faith. 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 provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. 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 13:6
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Analysis
Rejoiceth not in iniquity (οὐ χαίρει ἐπὶ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, ou chairei epi tē adikia)—Adikia is unrighteousness, injustice, wrongdoing. Love finds no joy when evil occurs, even when it might benefit oneself. This confronts the human tendency toward schadenfreude—pleasure at enemies' failures—and the Corinthian factions who likely celebrated rival groups' moral stumbles.
But rejoiceth in the truth (συγχαίρει δὲ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, synchairei de tē alētheia)—The compound verb synchairō intensifies the joy: "rejoices together with" the truth. Alētheia encompasses both propositional truth (doctrine) and reality as God defines it (righteousness, justice, gospel). Love aligns itself completely with truth's triumph, not personal vindication. This is profoundly countercultural: love celebrates righteousness even in opponents, mourns sin even in allies.
The contrast exposes the connection between love and truth—they are inseparable. John writes, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 1:4). Love doesn't sentimentally tolerate evil or relativize truth; it grieves over sin (even when convenient) and celebrates truth (even when costly).
Historical Context
In Corinth's factional culture, believers took sides over teachers (Apollos vs. Paul, 1:12), celebrated their group's superiority, and likely delighted in opponents' failures. The honor-shame society thrived on public vindication. Both Greco-Roman and Jewish culture knew the impulse to celebrate enemies' downfall (cf. Obadiah 12). Paul demands love that transcends tribal loyalty to align with God's truth.
Reflection
- When have you felt secret satisfaction at someone's moral failure, especially if they disagreed with you theologically or politically?
- How does 'rejoicing with the truth' require you to celebrate righteousness even when it appears in ideological opponents or theological rivals?
- In what ways might partisan political loyalty or denominational tribalism tempt you to 'rejoice in iniquity' when it damages your opponents?
Word Studies
- Truth: ἀλήθεια (Aletheia) G225 - Truth, reality
Cross-References
- Truth: Philippians 1:18, 2 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 John 1:4
- Sin: Proverbs 14:9, Hosea 4:8
- Parallel theme: Jeremiah 13:17, Micah 7:8, Romans 1:32, 12:9, Philippians 1:4