1 Corinthians 13:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Complete Jewish Bible:

When I was a child, I spoke like a child,
thought like a child, argued like a child;
now that I have become a man,
I have finished with childish ways.

Berean Standard Bible:

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways.

American Standard Version:

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

When^{G3753} I was^{G2252} a child^{G3516}, I spake^{G2980} as^{G5613} a child^{G3516}, I understood^{G5426} as^{G5613} a child^{G3516}, I thought^{G3049} as^{G5613} a child^{G3516}: but^{G1161} when^{G3753} I became^{G1096} a man^{G435}, I put away^{G2673} childish things^{G3516}.

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 13:11

1 Corinthians 13:11 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, written by the Apostle Paul to the early church in Corinth. This verse is part of a larger passage known as the "Love Chapter," which is often read at Christian weddings due to its poetic description of love. In the broader context, Paul is teaching the Corinthians about spiritual gifts and the preeminence of love as the greatest gift of all.

The specific themes of 1 Corinthians 13:11 include maturity, growth, and the progression from immaturity to adulthood. Paul uses the metaphor of childhood versus adulthood to illustrate a spiritual and moral transition. As a child, one's understanding, speech, and reasoning are appropriate to that stage of life—simple and self-centered. However, upon reaching adulthood, individuals are expected to mature, setting aside juvenile ways of thinking and acting.

In the historical context, Paul is addressing a community that is struggling with divisions and immaturity. The Corinthians are eager to display their spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues or prophesying, often without love or consideration for others. Paul emphasizes that without love, these gifts are meaningless and noisy (as described in the preceding verses). By using the personal example of moving from childish to mature behavior, Paul is urging the Corinthians to grow in their faith and to prioritize love in their interactions with one another.

The verse serves as a call to spiritual maturity, encouraging believers to embody love, which is patient, kind, and enduring, as described throughout 1 Corinthians 13. It is a timeless directive that resonates with Christians to evaluate their spiritual progress and to always strive for love as the ultimate marker of Christian conduct.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3753
   There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτε
   Transliteration: hóte
   Pronunciation: hot'-eh
   Description: from ὅς and τέ; at which (thing) too, i.e. when:--after (that), as soon as, that, when, while.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2252
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἤμην
   Transliteration: ḗmēn
   Pronunciation: ay'-mane
   Description: a prolonged form of ἦν; I was:--be, was. (Sometimes unexpressed).
   
3. Strong's Number: G3516
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νήπιος
   Transliteration: nḗpios
   Pronunciation: nay'-pee-os
   Description: from an obsolete particle (implying negation) and ἔπος; not speaking, i.e. an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian:--babe, child (+ -ish).
   
4. Strong's Number: G2980
   There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λαλέω
   Transliteration: laléō
   Pronunciation: lal-eh'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5613
   There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὡς
   Transliteration: hōs
   Pronunciation: hoce
   Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5426
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φρονέω
   Transliteration: phronéō
   Pronunciation: fron-eh'-o
   Description: from φρήν; to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience):--set the affection on, (be) care(-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind(-ed), regard, savour, think.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3049
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λογίζομαι
   Transliteration: logízomai
   Pronunciation: log-id'-zom-ahee
   Description: middle voice from λόγος; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).
   
8. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1096
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γίνομαι
   Transliteration: gínomai
   Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
   Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
   
10. Strong's Number: G435
    There are 279 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀνήρ
    Transliteration: anḗr
    Pronunciation: an'-ayr
    Description: a primary word (compare ἄνθρωπος); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2673
    There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καταργέω
    Transliteration: katargéō
    Pronunciation: kat-arg-eh'-o
    Description: from κατά and ἀργέω; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively:--abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.