1 Corinthians 13 A Favorite At Weddings & Beyond

July 15, 2023  •  Leave a Comment

1 Corinthians 13 illustrated with flowering cherry blossom photo by Glenn Franco Simmons.1 Corinthians 13, 4-8This photo was taken in Saratoga, Calif., in the foothills of the Valley of Hearts' Delight. Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.

~ 1 Corinthians 4-8

1 Corinthians illustrated with a Secret rose by Glenn Franco Simmons.1 Corinthians 13, 4-8Secret Rose with a verse from 1 Corinthians 13. “1 Corinthians 13 is a chapter of the New Testament that covers the subject of love. It is written by Paul the Apostle and Sosthenes in Ephesus,” according to Bing AI Chat on July 15, 2023. “The chapter uses the Greek word {that means} agape, which means unconditional and selfless love. Paul explains that love is the most excellent way to serve God and others, and that without love, all other gifts and actions are meaningless. He also describes the characteristics and endurance of love¹.

“The meaning of 1 Corinthians 13 is that as followers, we are to imitate the love of Jesus by using our gifts while serving and loving others just as He did4. The chapter also contrasts love with some of the spiritual gifts that the Corinthians were proud of, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, knowledge and faith. Paul shows that these gifts are temporary and incomplete, while love is eternal and perfect² ³.”

Among the most-famous of 1 Corinthians’ verses are 4 to 8, which are used in many weddings. My lovely wife Kathleen and I used these verses in our wedding. They remain among my favorites of all the verses I’ve illustrated in The Holy Bible.

Glenn Franco Simmons illustrates 1 Corinthians with a beautiful rose photo.1 Corinthians 13, 4-8Tineke Rose with a verse from 1 Corinthians 13. Bing said that in these verses, “Paul gives a detailed definition of love. He says that love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not arrogant, not rude, not selfish, not easily angered, not resentful, not rejoicing in wrongdoing, but rejoicing in the truth. He says that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. He says that love never fails or ends² 5.

“This chapter is popular because it expresses the essence of the Christian faith and life. It shows us what God’s love is like and how we should love Him and one another. It also challenges us to examine our own hearts and motives and to grow in love every day4. It is often used at weddings or to explain the love that should exist between couples5, but it also applies to all kinds of relationships and situations.”

1 Corinthians 13 illustrated with flowering cherry blossom photo by Glenn Franco Simmons.1 Corinthians 13, 4-8This photo was taken in Saratoga, Calif., in the foothills of the Valley of Hearts' Delight. Source: Conversation with Bing, 7/15/2023

(1) 1 Corinthians 13 - Wikipedia.

(2) What Is the Meaning of 1 Corinthians 13 and Why Is it Popular?

(3) What does 1 Corinthians chapter 13 mean?

(4) Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Corinthians Chapter 13.

(5) What does 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 KJV & NIV [Really] Mean? (Deep Dive).

(Verse above: From the public-domain World English Bible®. Photo © Glenn Franco Simmons. First photo was taken in Saratoga, Calif., in the foothills of the Valley of Hearts' Delight. Two rose photos were taken at the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden. To see other photos with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, please click on the photo to navigate to the 1 Corinthians photo gallery.)


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