1 Corinthians 13:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Complete Jewish Bible:

Love does not gloat over other people’s sins
but takes its delight in the truth.

Berean Standard Bible:

Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.

American Standard Version:

rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Rejoiceth^{G5463} not^{G3756} in^{G1909} iniquity^{G93}, but^{G1161} rejoiceth^{G4796} in the truth^{G225};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 13:6

1 Corinthians 13:6 is a part of the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Christian community in Corinth, written around AD 53-54. This verse is situated within the most famous chapter of the letter, often referred to as the "Love Chapter," which poetically describes the characteristics of agape love—a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that is central to Christian ethics.

In the historical context, Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan city known for its commercial activity, cultural diversity, and moral laxity. The Corinthian church was grappling with various issues, including divisions, immorality, and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts. Paul's letter addresses these problems, and in chapter 13, he emphasizes the supremacy of love over all other spiritual gifts and achievements.

The specific verse, 1 Corinthians 13:6, encapsulates two key themes. Firstly, it asserts that love does not delight in wrongdoing. This contrasts with the human tendency to take pleasure in gossip, schadenfreude (pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others), or the transgressions of others that might make one feel superior. Instead, love is aligned with what is right and good. Secondly, the verse declares that love rejoices in the truth. In a city like Corinth, where deception and false teachings were prevalent, the call to rejoice in truth was a call to uphold integrity and to find joy in the authentic and the real, both in personal conduct and in the sharing of the Gospel message.

In summary, 1 Corinthians 13:6 highlights that true love is characterized by a disposition that eschews delight in evil and takes joy in what is true. This verse reflects the broader message of the chapter and the letter, encouraging the Corinthian believers, and by extension all Christians, to embody a love that is consistent with the character of God, who is the source of all truth and righteousness.

*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: G5463
   There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: χαίρω
   Transliteration: chaírō
   Pronunciation: khah'-ee-ro
   Description: a primary verb; to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well:--farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy(- fully), rejoice.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
4. Strong's Number: G93
   There are 309 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀδικία
   Transliteration: adikía
   Pronunciation: ad-ee-kee'-ah
   Description: from ἄδικος; (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act):--iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.
   
5. 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).
   
6. Strong's Number: G4796
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: συγχαίρω
   Transliteration: synchaírō
   Pronunciation: soong-khah'-ee-ro
   Description: from σύν and χαίρω; to sympathize in gladness, congratulate:--rejoice in (with).
   
7. Strong's Number: G225
   There are 1319 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀλήθεια
   Transliteration: alḗtheia
   Pronunciation: al-ay'-thi-a
   Description: from ἀληθής; truth:--true, X truly, truth, verity.