1 Corinthians 13:8

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Charity {G26} never {G3763} faileth {G1601}: but {G1161} whether {G1535} there be prophecies {G4394}, they shall fail {G2673}; whether {G1535} there be tongues {G1100}, they shall cease {G3973}; whether {G1535} there be knowledge {G1108}, it shall vanish away {G2673}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Love never ends; but prophecies will pass,
tongues will cease, knowledge will pass.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 13:8 stands as a profound declaration of the eternal superiority of love (charity) over the temporary nature of spiritual gifts. Nestled within Paul's celebrated exposition on love, this verse asserts that while prophetic utterances, speaking in tongues, and even knowledge are destined to cease or pass away, the divine virtue of *agape* love is an enduring, unfailing characteristic that will persist into eternity, serving as the ultimate and most excellent way for believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within Paul's extensive discussion on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians. Chapters [1 Corinthians 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ") and [1 Corinthians 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Orderly Worship and Prophecy") detail the variety, purpose, and proper use of spiritual gifts within the Corinthian church. However, the Corinthians were struggling with disunity, pride, and an overemphasis on certain "showy" gifts, leading to disorder in their worship and a lack of mutual edification. Paul introduces [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Superiority of Love") as the "more excellent way" ([1 Corinthians 12:31](/1_corinthians/12-31 "1 Corinthians 12:31 - The More Excellent Way"))—a corrective to their misguided priorities. Verse 8 specifically functions as a pivotal statement, contrasting the temporal nature of the gifts discussed in the surrounding chapters with the eternal permanence of love, setting the stage for the eschatological perspective in [1 Corinthians 13:9-12](/1_corinthians/13-9-12 "1 Corinthians 13:9-12 - Imperfect Knowledge and Perfect Fullness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, known for its wealth, diverse population, and a blend of Greek, Roman, and Eastern cultures. Its religious landscape was eclectic, featuring numerous pagan cults and philosophical schools that often emphasized rhetoric, eloquence, and ecstatic experiences. Within this environment, the nascent Christian community in Corinth was influenced by the broader culture's valuing of impressive displays, leading some believers to prioritize spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy as signs of spiritual maturity or superiority. This fostered a competitive atmosphere and divisions within the church, as highlighted by Paul's earlier rebukes regarding factions ([1 Corinthians 1:10-17](/1_corinthians/1-10-17 "1 Corinthians 1:10-17 - Divisions in the Church")) and their conduct at the Lord's Supper ([1 Corinthians 11:17-34](/1_corinthians/11-17-34 "1 Corinthians 11:17-34 - Disorder at the Lord's Supper")). Paul's emphasis on *agape* love was a radical counter-cultural message, redirecting their focus from outward manifestations of power to an inward transformation of character, which was essential for genuine community and spiritual health.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Corinthians. The primary theme is **The Enduring Nature of Love**, which Paul presents as the supreme virtue that transcends all other spiritual expressions. Unlike the temporary gifts, *agape* love is eternal and never fails, serving as the foundation for true Christian living and the ultimate characteristic of God's kingdom. Closely related is **The Temporary Nature of Spiritual Gifts**. By explicitly stating that prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will "fail," "cease," and "vanish away," Paul underscores their instrumental and provisional purpose. These gifts are given for the edification of the church in this present age, but they are not ultimate. Finally, the verse implicitly points to the **Anticipation of the Perfect**, a theme more fully developed in [1 Corinthians 13:9-10](/1_corinthians/13-9-10 "1 Corinthians 13:9-10 - The Coming of the Perfect"). The transience of current spiritual manifestations implies a future, perfect state—often understood as the consummation of God's redemptive plan at Christ's return or in the eternal state—when the need for these partial gifts will be superseded by complete knowledge and perfect communion with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Charity (Greek, _agápē'_):** From G26. This term denotes a divine, unconditional, self-sacrificial love, distinct from familial affection (*philia*) or romantic passion (*eros*). It is a deliberate choice and an active benevolence, reflecting God's own nature. Paul uses it here to describe the highest form of love, which is not merely an emotion but a principle of action that seeks the good of others, even at personal cost. Its enduring quality is the central point of the verse.
* **faileth (Greek, _ekpíptō'_):** From G1601. Used in the context of "Charity never faileth." This word literally means "to fall out," "to drop away," or "to lose its effect." When applied to *agape*, especially with the strong negative "never" (G3763, *oudépote*), it emphasizes love's absolute permanence and unwavering efficacy. Unlike the gifts, love will never become obsolete, ineffective, or cease to exist.
* **fail/vanish away (Greek, _katargéō'_):** From G2673. This verb is used twice in the verse, describing the destiny of "prophecies" and "knowledge." It means "to render entirely idle or useless," "to abolish," "to bring to nothing," or "to make void." It implies that these gifts, while currently useful, will be made inoperative or superseded when their purpose has been fulfilled, particularly in the light of the "perfect" (as discussed in [1 Corinthians 13:10](/1_corinthians/13-10 "1 Corinthians 13:10 - When the Perfect Comes")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Charity never faileth:"** This opening clause presents the central thesis of the verse and indeed the chapter. "Charity," or *agape* love, is declared to be utterly permanent and unfailing. It is not subject to decay, obsolescence, or cessation. This establishes love as the ultimate and enduring virtue, contrasting sharply with what follows.
* **"but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail;"** Following the strong adversative "but" (G1161, *dé*), Paul begins to list spiritual gifts that are temporary. "Prophecies" (G4394, *prophēteía*), which involve inspired communication of divine truth, are stated to "fail" (G2673, *katargéō*). This signifies that their function, which is to reveal partial truth or provide guidance in the present age, will be rendered unnecessary when full truth is revealed.
* **"whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease;"** "Tongues" (G1100, *glōssa*), referring to the miraculous ability to speak in unlearned languages, are said to "cease" (G3973, *paúō*). This verb implies a natural coming to an end, a stopping of their activity. As a sign gift, their purpose will be fulfilled and they will no longer be needed.
* **"whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away."** Lastly, "knowledge" (G1108, *gnōsis*), here referring to inspired understanding or revealed truth, is also stated to "vanish away" (G2673, *katargéō*), using the same strong verb as for prophecies. This indicates that even the most profound spiritual insights gained in this life are partial and will be superseded by a complete and direct apprehension of truth in the eternal state.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in [1 Corinthians 13:8](/1_corinthians/13-8 "1 Corinthians 13:8 - Love Endures, Gifts Cease") to underscore his message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as he starkly juxtaposes the eternal nature of *agape* love with the temporary nature of spiritual gifts. This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, immediately highlighting love's supreme value. He also utilizes **Repetition** through the anaphoric "whether [there be]" (Greek, *eíte*, G1535) before each spiritual gift, emphasizing that regardless of the gift, its fate is the same: cessation. Furthermore, the use of distinct but related verbs for the cessation of gifts—"fail" (*katargéō*) for prophecies and knowledge, and "cease" (*paúō*) for tongues—adds a nuanced layer to the idea of transience, while still reinforcing the overarching message. Finally, there's a subtle **Personification** of "Charity" (love), which is depicted as an active entity that "never faileth," giving it an almost living quality that endures beyond the lifespan of other spiritual phenomena.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 13:8 is a cornerstone text for understanding the theological priority of love in Christian ethics and eschatology. It asserts that love is not merely one virtue among many, but the preeminent and enduring characteristic of God's nature and kingdom. While spiritual gifts serve a vital, albeit temporary, purpose in the current age—enabling the church to grow and function until the full revelation of Christ—they are means to an end. Love, however, is the end itself, the ultimate expression of Christian maturity and the bond that perfectly unites believers. This verse implicitly teaches that our pursuit should be for that which is eternal, guiding believers to invest their lives in cultivating *agape* love, which will remain when all else fades. It also points to the eschatological hope of a future state where partial knowledge and temporary gifts will be rendered obsolete by the direct and complete presence of God.

* [Colossians 3:14](/colossians/3-14 "Colossians 3:14 - Love, the Bond of Perfection")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God Is Love")
* [Romans 13:10](/romans/13-10 "Romans 13:10 - Love Fulfills the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 13:8 serves as a profound call to re-evaluate our priorities in life and faith. In a world that often values visible achievements, impressive talents, or intellectual prowess, this verse redirects our focus to the unseen, enduring quality of *agape* love. It challenges us to consider whether our spiritual pursuits, our knowledge, or our abilities are truly motivated and shaped by this self-giving, unconditional love. If not, Paul suggests they are ultimately fleeting and without eternal significance. This passage encourages humility regarding our gifts, reminding us that they are temporary instruments given for a specific purpose, not marks of ultimate spiritual status. Our true measure of spiritual maturity lies not in what we can do, but in how deeply we love—God and one another. Cultivating this love means actively seeking the good of others, forgiving, enduring, and sacrificing, knowing that these actions are building something that will last forever.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might prioritizing love over spiritual gifts or knowledge change the way I engage in my church community or serve others?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I tend to value temporary achievements or abilities more than the cultivation of enduring love?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to intentionally demonstrate *agape* love to those around me, even when it's difficult?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues have completely ceased in the church today?**

Answer: 1 Corinthians 13:8 states that prophecies, tongues, and knowledge "shall fail," "shall cease," and "shall vanish away." The interpretation of this verse, particularly in conjunction with [1 Corinthians 13:10](/1_corinthians/13-10 "1 Corinthians 13:10 - When the Perfect Comes") ("when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away"), is a subject of ongoing theological debate. Cessationists argue that "that which is perfect" refers to the completion of the New Testament canon or the apostolic age, implying that these "sign gifts" ceased after the first century. Continuists argue that "that which is perfect" refers to the return of Christ or the eternal state, meaning these gifts continue to operate in the church until then. This verse, on its own, primarily emphasizes the *temporary* nature of these gifts in contrast to the *eternal* nature of love, without definitively specifying the exact timing of their cessation, other than that it occurs before the ultimate "perfect" state. Regardless of one's stance on the continuation of gifts, the verse unequivocally elevates love as the supreme and enduring virtue.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 13:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the *agape* love that "never faileth." While prophecies pointed to Him ([Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")), tongues served as a sign of the new covenant inaugurated by Him ([Acts 2:4](/acts/2-4 "Acts 2:4 - Pentecost and Tongues")), and knowledge illuminated His truth, Christ Himself is the perfect, eternal reality toward which all these temporary manifestations pointed. He is the "perfect" to whom [1 Corinthians 13:10](/1_corinthians/13-10 "1 Corinthians 13:10 - When the Perfect Comes") alludes, the one in whom all partial knowledge and revelation find their complete and final expression. His love, demonstrated supremely on the cross ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")), is an unfailing, eternal love that transcends all time and circumstance. In Christ, we see the enduring nature of God's character, for "God is love" ([1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God Is Love")). Therefore, as believers, our pursuit of *agape* love is not merely an ethical imperative but a profound participation in the very nature of Christ, who is "the same yesterday and today and forever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the Same Forever")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.

1 Corinthians 13:1

¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Galatians 5:6

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Acts 2:4

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Corinthians 13:10

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Hebrews 8:13

In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.