1  THOUGH I speak [ This is the continuation of what Paul promised to teach them in chapter 12. Paul promised the Corinthians a more excellent way than that in which they were now proceeding. They were so distracted with contentions, divided by parties, and envious of each other's gifts, that unity was nearly destroyed.] with the tongues of men [ To be able to speak all of the languages of man, but also to speak in the most eloquent manner. ] and of angels, [ to be able to truely converse with God. ] and have not charity, [ True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity what God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ] I am become as sounding brass, [ "calkov hcwn?" So what other things were trumpets or horns made out of? Horns... So the sound is much cleaner from one made of brass. That is, like a trumpet made of brass as opposed to a trumpet made of a horn or other object, the brass will sound much louder. ] or a tinkling cymbal. [ a concavo-convex plate of brass, the concave side of which being struck against another plate of the same kind produced a tinkling, inharmonious sound. ]

2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, [Which is the gift to see things that will happen in the future. What is the value of the gift of prophecy? well if you do not care or have a stake in the future then it may be of little value to you. Just knowling that something is going to happen does not really change anything. Let me illustrate: in a very simple form I have the gift of prophecy, in that I know if you jump off a bridge you will fall to whatever lies below. Now just because I know that is of no consequence unless I plan to jump from a bridge, or I am talking to someone that is planning to do the same. In otherwords the knowledge of what may happen in the future is only of value if I look at it and see how that knowledge effects me. ] and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, [ So what else is there here? Was not the creation and everything that is done not done by faith? ] and have not charity, I am nothing. [ Now wait a minute. Why is it so important to have charity even if you can do all of these other things? Without charity you will not know the proper way to use the gifts that you do have. See my notes on Moroni 7:44-47 for a better understanding of charity. True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity hat God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ] .

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, [ "ywmizw", which we translate to feed the poor, signifies to divide into morsels, and put into the mouth; which implies carefulness and tenderness in applying the bounty thus freely given. This is a proof that charity, in our sense of the word, is not what the apostle means; for surely almsgiving can go no farther than to give up all that a man possesses in order to relieve the wants of others. What is this not enought? 1: Maybe he could have done something else of greater worth with the food under the direction of the spirit; 2: What was his attitude in giving all his goods? ] and though I give my body to be burned, [ "Æina kauqhsomai" could be rendered as: And though I give up my body so as to have cause of boasting: this would again go to the intent. If we do not do something for the reason of love for that person then it does not profith us. ] and have not charity, [ In the Greek language there are three terms variously translated to the English term "love". The first is "eros", which never appears in Scriptures, and refers to romantic desire. The other two are "philo" and "agape", and both appear in the Scriptures. Philo refers to brotherly love or a love through association or commonality. Agape refers to transcendental self- sacrificing love, the kind of love that motivated Christ to perform the Atonement. Paul is referring to agape in this chapter, and the KJV renders the term "charity" apparently in an effort to differentiate it from other appearances of the word "love". ] , it profiteth me nothing.

4  Charity [ What is the definition of Charity. or what are the characteristics of charity? Moroni 7:47 "pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever". True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity hat God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ] suffereth long, [ What does it mean to suffer long? to perservere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and trouble, slow to anger. see Moroni 7:47 It "endureth forever" - it is like the kind of Love that God has for us. Or the pure love of christ as defined in Moroni 7:47 - Can you think there was any more sufferring than that which went on in Gethsemane or on the cross? How long did the savior have to endure? What does sufferring long or patience have to do with our display of charity? ] and is kind; [ HOw would you define true kindness? "crhsteuetai?" It is tender and compassionate in itself, and kind and obliging to others; it is mild, gentle, and benign; and, if called to suffer, inspires the sufferer with the most amiable sweetness, and the most tender affection. It is also submissive to all the dispensations of God; and creates trouble to no one. How does kindness demonstrate charity? ] charity envieth not; [ What does it mean to envy something? "ou zhloi" or is not grieved because another possesses a greater portion of earthly, intellectual, or spiritual blessings. How can charity interfere with our charity? ] charity vaunteth not itself, ["ou perpereuetai?" This word is variously translated; acteth not rashly, insolently; is not inconstant. To boast ones self, self display. So today we might say is not proud in his doings, does not do them for the display of others. What does vaunteth mean? To speak boastfully; brag. How does this apply to charity? When we live our lives with charity we will constantly act in the manner that God would have us act, that will be constant and consistent. True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity hat God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ] is not puffed up, [ ou fusioutai? to puff oneself out like a pair of bellows. Is not inflated with a sense of its own importance; for it knows it has nothing but what it has received; and that it deserves nothing that it has got. How can on being puffed up displace their charity? We begin to be prideful, thinking we are better than another so we do not serve those lower than ourselves and then we forget the source of those blessings, that they come from God thus limiting our power. ]

5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, [ "ouk aschmonei", acts with a negative character, figure, mein; love never acts out of its place or character; observes due decorum and good manners; is never rude, bearish, or brutish; and is ever willing to become all things to all men. How does one with true character act seemly? I suppose that is a way we could say that we have true respect for others. ] , seeketh not her own, ["ou zhtei ta eauthv?" Is not desirous of her own spiritual welfare only, but of her neighbour's also. or in other words is applied to everyone, without regard for status or position. What does this imply for us to seek not her own? ] , is not easily provoked, [ "ou paroxunetai?" Is not provoked, is not irritated, is not made sour or bitter. How might our charity change if we allow ourselves to become provoked? I am not going to help them because I see how they act and I am not going to get caught up in the middle of that. Politics, Utah/BYU fans... ] thinketh no evil; ["oulogizetai to kakon?" "Believes no evil where no evil seems." Never supposes that a good action may have a bad motive; gives every man credit for his profession of religion, uprightness, godly zeal. Acts in complete purity with no reward on its own. How might we apply this to charity? ]

6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, [ "ou cairei epi th adikia?" Rejoiceth not in falsehood, but on the contrary, rejoiceth in the truth. If we said rejoiceth in purity how would that apply to us building our individual charity? ] , but rejoiceth in the truth; [ "alhqeia?" Every thing that is opposite to falsehood and irreligion. Those who are filled with the love of God and man rejoice in the propagation and extension of Divine truth-in the spread of true religion, by which alone peace and good will can be diffused throughout the earth. What role does truth play in charity? Of what truth is pPaul speaking here? ]

7  Beareth all things, [ "panta stegei", This word is also variously interpreted: to endure, bear, sustain, cover, conceal, contain. it could be translated as To cover, to protect or keep by covering to preserve, to cover with silence, by covering to keep off something which threatens. So what burdens are placed on those who demonstrate charity? Wow is that fair? How hard is it to love your enemies and those who spitefully use you? How else might we say that? They are submissive to the will of the Father in all things. Do not murmer and complain at the burdens that are placed upon their backs. ] , believeth all things, ["panta pisteuei?" Is ever ready to believe the best of every person, place confidence in God. Why does one have to have and keep a firm belief at all times? ] hopeth all things, [ "panta elpizei?" in a religious sense to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence, hopefully to trust in. When there is no place left for believing good of a person, then love comes in with its hope, where it could not work by its faith; and begins immediately to make allowances and excuses, as far as a good conscience can permit; and farther, anticipates the repentance of the transgressor, and his restoration to the good opinion of society and his place in the Church. Why does Paul suggest that we must develope hope in all things? Without hope, belief and trust in the grace of God we cannot be saved. ] endureth all things. ["panta upomenei?" To remain, to not recede or flee, to hold fast to one faith, to endure, bear bravely and calmly ill treatments. Bears up under all persecutions and mal-treatment from open enemies and professed friends; bears adversities with an even mind, as it submits with perfect resignation to every dispensation of the providence of God; and never says of any trial, affliction, or insult, this cannot be endured. How does the phrase endureth all things differ from the phrase bearth all things? Why is that important then? ]

8  Charity never faileth: ["Æh agaph oudepote ekpiptei?" This love never falleth off, because it bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things; and while it does so it cannot fail; it is the means of preserving all other graces; indeed, properly speaking, it includes them all; and all receive their perfection from it. What do you think Paul means that charity never fails? ] but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. [ What does Paul mean with this statement as a comparison to true charity never failing? There will come a time when the Saints will no longer need the gifts of the spirit because they will be swallowed up in greater things.The saints will know all tongues and as they become as God they will know all things past, present, and future, at such time there will be no need for prophesy. ]

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect [ "teleion". But, as is the case with the term's appearance in 2:6, it has the meaning of "maturity". When spiritual maturity comes, the immaturity, what Paul refers to as "the partial" will be done away. Hence, the symbolism of child and adult in v. 11 and that of seeing only dimly a reflection in a mirror at present in v. 12. Also cp.14:20.] is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 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.

12 For now we see through a glass, [ We look into a mirror or we see into the future, "esoptron" which is commonly translated as glass, literally signifies a mirror or reflector, from eiv, into, and optomai, I look; and among the ancients mirrors were certainly made of fine polished metal. The word here may signify any thing by which the image of a person is reflected, as in our looking, or look in glass. ] , darkly; [ "darkly" could be translated as a fixed position. So it is not about looking through dirty windows and judging inappropriately. Suggesting then thatmaybe we need to look at ourself (our reflection) not from the way that we see ourselves but maybe we need to see ourselves from God'd perspective. ] but then face to face: [ as we have the opportunity to learn from the spirit, truth, we learn we grow deeper in our knowledge ] now I know in part; [ We all have to learn line upon line. ] but then shall I know even as also I am known. [ Until we come to a perfect knowledge. ]

13 And now abideth faith, [ The power by which God formed the earth and keeps all things in progress. The tool that we each must use to progress toward God. Without faith in Christ he cannot save us. The faith that God does live, That God does love us and the faith that God is in control. ] , hope, [ the assurance of eternal life and everlasting progression. ] , charity, [ or the pure love of Christ. ] , these three; but the greatest of these is charity. [ So why then is charity the greatest? Because Charity encompasses the characteristics of God. If we incorporate them into our lives we will become as God, we will act like him , think like him, become as he is, it is the kind of love that God posesses. So if the purpose of this life is to become like God the best way to do that is to emulate the characteristics of charity. True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity hat God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ]