1 CORINTHIANS 13:3

KING JAMES VERSION (KJV)

TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT

The “Love Chapter”, chapter 13 of First Corinthians describes the qualities of love. The King James Bible uses the word “charity” instead of “love” based on the Greek word ἀγάπη (agapē) which also signifies affection, good will and benevolence.

To get what 1 Corinthians 13:3 means in detail, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

High popularity: 390 searches a month
Popularity relative to other verses in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 using average monthly Google searches.

1 Corinthians 13:3 Translation & Meaning

What does this verse really mean? Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek Scripture. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. Follow the buttons in the right-hand column for detailed definitions and verses that use the same root words. Use this reference information to gain deeper insight into the Bible and enrich your understanding. Information based on Strong's Exhaustive Concordance[1].

KJV Verse Original Greek Meaning/ Definition
This is a simplified translation of the original Greek word. Follow the buttons on the right to get more detail.
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Use the buttons below to get details on the Greek word and view related Bible verses that use the same root word.
And καὶ And, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words And
though ἐὰν A conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty though
I bestow to feed ψωμίσω To supply with bits, i.e., (generally) to nourish bestow feed
all πάντα All, any, every, the whole all
my μου Of me my
goods ὑπάρχοντά Things extant or in hand, i.e., property or possessions goods
the poor, (No Greek definition. English implied.)
and καὶ And, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words and
though ἐὰν A conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty though
I give παραδῶ To surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit give
my μου Of me my
body σῶμά The body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively body
to ἵνα In order that (denoting the purpose or the result) to
be burned, καυθήσωμαι To set on fire, i.e., kindle or (by implication) consume burned
and δὲ But, and, etc and
have ἔχω To hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition) have
not μὴ (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether not
charity, ἀγάπην Love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast charity
it profiteth me ὠφελοῦμαι To be useful, i.e., to benefit profiteth
nothing. οὐδὲν Not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing nothing

Verse Context

See 1 Corinthians 13:3 with its adjacent verses in bold below. Follow either of the two large buttons below to see these verses in their broader context of the King James Bible or a Bible concordance.

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  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

  • 4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

  • 5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;




Sources:

The King James Bible (1611) and Strong's Concordance (1890) with Hebrew and Greek dictionaries are sourced from the BibleForgeDB database (https://github.com/bibleforge) within the BibleForge project (http://bibleforge.com). Popularity rankings are based on search volume data from the Google AdWords Keyword Planner tool.


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