1 Corinthians 13:3

If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church while contrasting empty spiritual achievements with the necessity of love. He speaks during a broader discussion on the supremacy of love over all other spiritual gifts.

The words — The conditional phrase κἂν (kan, "even if") paired with ἐὰν (ean, "if") frames a hypothetical scenario, while ψωμίσω (psōmisō, "I shall give away") and ὑπάρχοντά μου (huparchonta mou, "my possessions") describe total material surrender. These terms establish a grammatical condition for an absolute claim.

The thread — The verse's warning against valueless outward acts parallels James 2:14's question about faith without deeds and John 15:13's definition of love as laying down one's life. It also stands in tension with Matthew 23:5's critique of deeds performed merely for public display.

Why it lands — The text states that complete financial giving and self-sacrifice yield zero spiritual value without love. It demands that a reader examine whether their actions are motivated by genuine love rather than mere transactional duty.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Matthew 23:5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Luke 18:28 “Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.”
Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
Luke 18:22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”