1 Corinthians 16:14

KJV

Let all your things be done with charity.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let {G1096} all {G3956} your {G5216} things {G3956} be done {G1096} with {G1722} charity {G26}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let everything you do be done in love.

Berean Standard Bible

Do everything in love.

American Standard Version

Let all that ye do be done in love.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The concluding exhortation in 1 Corinthians 16:14 serves as a powerful summary of Paul's entire letter to the Corinthian church, distilling his extensive teachings on divisions, immorality, spiritual gifts, and practical Christian living into a single, overarching principle: all actions, whether personal or corporate, must be motivated by and permeated with genuine, self-sacrificial love. This verse underscores that love is not merely one virtue among many, but the essential foundation and guiding force for every aspect of Christian conduct and fellowship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears as a pivotal concluding exhortation within Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church. It immediately follows a series of direct commands in [1 Corinthians 16:13](/1_corinthians/16-13 "1 Corinthians 16:13 - Paul's Exhortations to the Corinthians") to "watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." While these preceding verses emphasize vigilance, steadfastness, courage, and strength—qualities often associated with spiritual warfare or firm resolve—[1 Corinthians 16:14](/1_corinthians/16-14 "1 Corinthians 16:14 - The Guiding Principle of Love") provides the crucial qualifier: all such actions, indeed "all your things," must be performed within the sphere and under the influence of love. This final directive acts as a capstone, unifying the diverse topics addressed throughout the letter, from resolving internal disputes and ethical dilemmas to exercising spiritual gifts, by presenting love as the indispensable motive and method for true Christian living and community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, strategically located on a narrow isthmus connecting mainland Greece. Its wealth and diverse population led to a culture known for its moral laxity, philosophical pluralism, and competitive spirit, which unfortunately permeated the local Christian community. The Corinthian church was plagued by numerous internal issues, including severe divisions and factions ([1 Corinthians 1:10-17](/1_corinthians/1-10-17 "1 Corinthians 1:10-17 - Divisions in the Church")), sexual immorality ([1 Corinthians 5](/1_corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Dealing with Immorality")), lawsuits among believers ([1 Corinthians 6:1-11](/1_corinthians/6-1-11 "1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Lawsuits Among Believers")), misuse of spiritual gifts ([1 Corinthians 12-14](/1_corinthians/12-14 "1 Corinthians 12-14 - Spiritual Gifts and Orderly Worship")), and a general lack of unity and consideration for one another. Paul's letter systematically addresses these problems, and his ultimate call in [1 Corinthians 16:14](/1_corinthians/16-14 "1 Corinthians 16:14 - The Essential Role of Love") serves as the overarching solution, emphasizing that only a love-driven approach could heal their divisions and foster genuine Christian community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout 1 Corinthians. Foremost is the **supremacy of love (agape)**, which Paul elaborates on extensively in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Love Chapter"), famously stating that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts or acts of sacrifice are meaningless. The command in [1 Corinthians 16:14](/1_corinthians/16-14 "1 Corinthians 16:14 - Love as the Foundation of Action") ensures that love is not merely an abstract concept but the practical, guiding principle for all Christian conduct. It also addresses the theme of **unity and overcoming division**, as actions done with selfless love naturally promote harmony, understanding, and reconciliation within the fractured Corinthian church. Furthermore, it speaks to **practical Christian living and ethics**, emphasizing that every aspect of a believer's life—from personal interactions to corporate worship and ministry—must be characterized by a benevolent concern for others, aligning with Paul's broader call for believers to live lives worthy of their calling in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **done (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, G1096, signifies "to come into being," "to become," or "to happen." In this context, it emphasizes not merely the completion of an action, but the *manner* in which it occurs. It implies that love should be the pervasive quality or state *in which* all actions take place, shaping their very nature and outcome. It's not just about what you do, but how it "comes to be."
* **with (Greek, _en'_):** The preposition G1722, "in" or "by means of," denotes a fixed position, state, or instrumentality. Here, it indicates that "charity" (love) is the sphere, the atmosphere, or the means through which all things are done. It suggests that love is the essential condition or governing principle that defines and enables every action.
* **charity (Greek, _agápē'_):** G26, this is the profound, unconditional, benevolent, and self-sacrificial love that seeks the highest good of the other. As detailed in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Nature of Agape Love"), it is distinct from mere affection or romantic love. It is the divine love that God demonstrates towards humanity and the love that believers are called to embody, characterized by patience, kindness, humility, and a refusal to envy, boast, or seek its own.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let all your things":** This phrase encompasses every single aspect of the believers' lives—their words, deeds, decisions, relationships, ministries, and interactions within the church and with the world. The use of "all" (Greek, _pâs_) underscores the comprehensive and universal application of this command, leaving no area exempt.
* **"be done":** This refers to the execution or performance of these "things." It highlights that the command is not just about having good intentions, but about the active manifestation and practical outworking of those intentions. The passive voice ("be done") implies that this quality of love should characterize the actions as they are performed.
* **"with charity":** This is the crucial qualifier, indicating the essential nature and motivation for all actions. It means that every word spoken, every decision made, and every deed performed must be permeated, guided, and defined by _agápē_ love. It is the standard against which all Christian conduct is to be measured.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this concise yet powerful concluding statement. The verse functions as a **Climax** or **Summary Statement**, bringing together the diverse and often challenging topics addressed throughout the entire letter under one overarching principle. After detailing various problems and offering specific solutions, Paul distills the essence of Christian conduct into this single, universal command. The use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Let...be done") indicates a direct command, not a suggestion, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of this principle for Christian living. Furthermore, the phrase "all your things" employs **Hyperbole** or **Generalization**, emphasizing the comprehensive scope of the command, ensuring that no action or aspect of life is excluded from the domain of love.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This powerful exhortation encapsulates the very heart of Christian ethics and theology. It echoes the greatest commandments to love God and love neighbor, revealing that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent or adherence to rules, but a life characterized by selfless, benevolent action. Theologically, it connects to the nature of God Himself, who is love ([1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God Is Love")), and asserts that believers, as His children, are called to reflect His character in all they do. The command for all things to be done with charity is the practical outworking of the new covenant, where love becomes the fulfilling of the law, transcending mere legalism and fostering true spiritual maturity and communal harmony.

* [Colossians 3:14](/colossians/3-14 "Colossians 3:14 - Love Binds Everything Together")
* [Romans 13:10](/romans/13-10 "Romans 13:10 - Love Fulfills the Law")
* [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - The New Commandment to Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 16:14](/1_corinthians/16-14 "1 Corinthians 16:14 - A Call to Love-Driven Action") serves as a timeless and profound challenge for every believer. It compels us to move beyond superficial actions or mere adherence to rules, urging us to examine the deepest motivations of our hearts. In a world often driven by self-interest, competition, and division, this verse calls us to embody a radical, counter-cultural love that prioritizes the well-being of others and seeks to glorify God in every interaction. Whether in our families, workplaces, churches, or communities, it prompts us to ask if our words are spoken with kindness, our decisions made with compassion, and our service rendered with genuine benevolence. Living out this command means actively cultivating patience, humility, and forgiveness, transforming our daily lives into a powerful testimony of Christ's transforming power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to intentionally cultivate more _agápē_ love?**
* **How might my actions or words be perceived if they are not clearly motivated by charity?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to ensure "all my things are done with charity" in my relationships with family, friends, or fellow believers?**
* **How does a commitment to acting with charity impact my approach to conflict or disagreement?**

### FAQ

**What does "charity" mean in the King James Version of this verse?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "charity" translates the Greek word _agápē_ (ἀγάπη), which refers to a profound, unconditional, and benevolent love. It is not merely sentimental affection, romantic love, or a handout to the poor, but a self-sacrificial love that actively seeks the highest good of others. This is the same divine love that God demonstrates towards humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")), and it is extensively described by Paul in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Definition of Agape Love") as patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, and keeping no record of wrongs. It is the supreme Christian virtue.

**Why is this verse placed at the very end of Paul's letter to the Corinthians?**

Answer: Paul strategically places this verse as a climactic and summarizing exhortation at the conclusion of his letter. Throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses numerous complex issues within the Corinthian church, including divisions, immorality, lawsuits, disputes over food sacrificed to idols, proper conduct in worship, and the misuse of spiritual gifts. By concluding with "Let all your things be done with charity," Paul provides the overarching principle that unites and resolves all these problems. It implies that if the Corinthians had consistently acted out of _agápē_ love, many of their issues would have been avoided or easily resolved. It serves as a final, foundational command, emphasizing that love is the essential motive and method for all Christian conduct and the key to true unity and spiritual health within the community. It acts as a final, powerful reminder of the central theme of [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Supremacy of Love").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 16:14](/1_corinthians/16-14 "1 Corinthians 16:14 - Christ's Embodiment of Love") finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential example of one whose "all things were done with charity." From His incarnation, humbling Himself to take on human flesh ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")), to His life of selfless service, healing, and teaching, every action of Jesus was motivated by _agápē_ love for God and humanity. His ultimate act of charity was His sacrificial death on the cross, where He laid down His life for His friends ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One")) and even for His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). The New Testament consistently calls believers to imitate this divine love, urging us to "walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us" ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Walk in Love as Christ Loved Us")). Thus, the command to do all things with charity is not merely an ethical guideline but an invitation to participate in the very nature of God, revealed and perfected in Jesus Christ, enabling us to live lives that truly reflect His character and redemptive purpose.

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

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35

By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

1 Timothy 1:5

¶ Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned:

1 John 4:7

¶ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:8

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 Thessalonians 4:9

¶ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.