Historical Context[edit 

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1 Corinthians 13, also referred to as "the hymn of love" is often noted for being the most loved
chapter in the entire New Testament (Barclay, 116).[1] 1 Corinthians 13, following 12, reflects and
adds to what Paul has just discussed in 1 Corinthians 12. Chapter 12 addresses individual's spiritual
gifts and in chapter 13 he hopes to drown out the Corinthians high level of competition they hold with
one another. The Corinthian are wondering whose spiritual gifts are greater and better than the
others in order to establish some sort of superiority, but Paul follows up their intentions and
questions with chapter 13, telling them that they need to love one another. Not only should they love
each other, but they should love everyone else as well because we are all children of God. The
Corinthians are wondering whose gifts are more important or considered more spiritual. Paul is
trying to tell them that all of their gifts are equally important, and in exercising their gifts they should
make sure that they are doing so with love seeping through their every action (Garland, 605) [2]
The setting of this letter takes place in Corinth. Note on the illustration below that the surrounding
cities were other areas that Paul wrote letters to such as his letter to the Philippians in Philippi.
[3]

Structure[edit | edit source]
1 Corinthians 13 is said to be the second part to a sequence of three chapters. Using the stylistic
structure of A-B-A, Chapter 13 is section B. The perspective in Chapter 13 is from an ecclesiological
perspective, and is both anthropological and theological. The Structure of Chapter 13 can be divided
into three different parts in a chiastic manner. First, there is the Prologue which contains verses 1–3,
and then it is sectioned off with verses 4–7, and lastly verses 8-13. Inside chapter 13, A-B-A style is
used again, sequencing A as the first section, B as the second, and A as the final. The order of this
chapter is organized in ascending intensity (Collins, 471–472).[4]
Style[edit | edit source]
Throughout 1 Corinthians 13, Paul uses first person in his writing. Some scholars suggest that when
Paul says "I," he is merely referring to any individual, yet many argue the contrary stating that Paul is
solely referring to himself. Evidence to support this statement is the consistency that seems to follow
throughout the rest of Paul's letter to Corinth. A possibility of irony is also introduced in this chapter
because of the challenge he is giving the Corinthians. These people "pursue spiritual gifts, but Paul
will show a more excellent way. His encomium on love is prompted by the fact that in their pursuit of
spiritual gifts the Corinthians follow a hierarchy he cannot accept" (Collins, 472- 473).[5] The style in
this passage changes between verses 4–7, and the style becomes "Jewish parenesis, or concrete
directions, and the form is didactic (instruction) rather than hymnic" (praise) (Soards, 273).[6] The
style then changes in verse 8 to a more elaborate argument, rather than wisdom sayings in the
previous verses (Soards, 274).[7] As far as the genre of this passage, many different opinions and
ideas have been suggested. It is considered to be a preciatory speech, a deliberative rhetoric, an
elegy, and lastly as an encomium with five divided parts for organization. These five sections consist
of the prologue, birth and upbringing, acts, comparison, and epilogue. This Chapter is considered to
be a unified entity rather than collection of different pieces of writing (Garland, 606–607).[8]
Purpose[edit | edit source]
1 Corinthians was a letter written by the Apostle Paul, addressing the Corinthians. The purpose of
this passage is heavily disputed, but with proper contextual analysis, the reader can find that this
passage is not one to be read at weddings in order to discuss how the new couple should treat one
another, but rather it is a continuation of the issues that Paul has been discussing with the
Corinthians on their gifts and how love should be at the centre of all of their actions, not self interest.
This chapter addresses the connection of our spiritual gifts with the love of God and our relationship
with him. These actions of love in Chapter 13 are a representation of the presence of God himself. In
this Chapter, Paul really is saying that love is showing empathy and sincere concern for one's
community, rather than being motivated by self interest and personal gratification. It is important to
recognize that this chapter does not mention God once, but Paul's purpose is to express the
connection between humans and God's love in Christ. The issues addressed in vss. 4-7 were all
contemporary issues that the Corinthians were facing predominantly during their lives. Paul is trying
to call out the Corinthians on their problems, and show them that the real issue at hand is not whose
spiritual gifts are greater than the others, but rather the issues is their lack of love for one another.
According to Paul, Christ-like love is not represented by the actions of the Corinthians and this lack
of love is the root of all of their problems. The purpose of this chapter is also to recognize the call of
lifestyle God asks of us, and draw out the true issues in the Church (Garland, 605–608).[9]

Themes[edit | edit source]
Immorality (including prevalent sexual immorality), Conduct of the Church, Character development,
and keeping a pure heart.