Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church to correct their misuse of spiritual gifts by contrasting temporary manifestations with the permanent nature of love.
The words — ἀγάπη (agapē) denotes the self-giving love that serves as the verse’s subject, while καταργηθήσονται (katargēthēsontai) literally means they will be rendered inoperative or abated.
The thread — The permanence of love contrasts with the temporary nature of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13:13, while the partial nature of current prophecy and knowledge is clarified in 1 Corinthians 13:9.
Why it lands — The text declares that love outlasts all spiritual gifts, demanding that readers prioritize enduring character over temporary religious experiences.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
- 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
- Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.
- Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
- 1 Corinthians 13:10 but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.
- Hebrews 8:13 By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
- Acts 19:6 And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
- 1 Corinthians 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”