1 Corinthians 13:13
New International Version
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

New Living Translation
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

English Standard Version
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Berean Standard Bible
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

Berean Literal Bible
But now these three things abide: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love.

King James Bible
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

New King James Version
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

New American Standard Bible
But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

NASB 1995
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

NASB 1977
But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Legacy Standard Bible
But now abide faith, hope, love—these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Amplified Bible
And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.

Christian Standard Bible
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

American Standard Version
But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Contemporary English Version
For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.

English Revised Version
But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the best one of these is love.

Good News Translation
Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

International Standard Version
Right now three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Majority Standard Bible
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

NET Bible
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

New Heart English Bible
But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.

Webster's Bible Translation
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Weymouth New Testament
And so there remain Faith, Hope, Love--these three; and of these the greatest is Love.

World English Bible
But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and now there remains faith, hope, love—these three; and the greatest of these [is] love.

Berean Literal Bible
But now these three things abide: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love.

Young's Literal Translation
and now there doth remain faith, hope, love -- these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Smith's Literal Translation
And now remains faith, hope, love, these three; and the greater of these, love.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But for now, these three continue: faith, hope, and charity. And the greatest of these is charity.

New American Bible
So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

New Revised Standard Version
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For there are these three things that endure: Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Godbey New Testament
But now abide faith, hope, divine love, these three; but the greatest of these is divine love.

Haweis New Testament
But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greater of these is love.

Mace New Testament
and now faith, hope, social virtue, these three will all remain; but the most permanent of the three is social virtue.

Weymouth New Testament
And so there remain Faith, Hope, Love--these three; and of these the greatest is Love.

Worrell New Testament
But now abides faith, hope, love; these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Worsley New Testament
And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three graces; but the greatest of these is love.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Love
12Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

Cross References
1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

1 John 3:16-18
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. / If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Ephesians 3:17-19
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, / will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth / of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Romans 13:8-10
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 John 4:16
And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ...

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.

James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ...

1 Thessalonians 1:3
and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

And now stays faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

abideth.

1 Corinthians 3:14
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1 Peter 1:21
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1 John 2:14,24
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one…

faith.

Luke 8:13-15
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away…

Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

hope.

Psalm 42:11
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 43:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 146:5
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

charity.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8
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…

1 Corinthians 8:1,3
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth…

2 Corinthians 5:10,15
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad…

the greatest.

1 Corinthians 13:8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all your things be done with charity.

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1 Corinthians 13
1. All gifts,
3. however excellent, are of no worth without love.
4. The praises thereof,
13. as love is greatest before hope and faith.














And now
This phrase signifies a transition, drawing attention to the present moment. In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, which was struggling with issues of division and spiritual immaturity. The phrase "And now" serves as a pivot from discussing spiritual gifts to emphasizing enduring virtues. It suggests a sense of urgency and immediacy, calling believers to focus on what truly matters in their Christian walk.

these three remain
The word "remain" (Greek: μένει, "menei") implies permanence and continuity. In contrast to spiritual gifts, which are temporary and will cease, faith, hope, and love are enduring qualities that persist beyond this life. This highlights the eternal nature of these virtues, suggesting that they are foundational to the Christian life and will continue to be relevant in the age to come.

faith
In Greek, the word for faith is "πίστις" (pistis), which denotes trust, belief, and confidence in God. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is the foundation of the Christian life, as it is by faith that believers are justified and enter into a relationship with God. Faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves a deep, personal trust in God's promises and character.

hope
The Greek word for hope is "ἐλπίς" (elpis), which conveys a confident expectation and anticipation of future good. In the Christian context, hope is not wishful thinking but a firm assurance based on God's promises. It is the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19), providing stability and encouragement in the face of life's uncertainties. Hope looks forward to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate realization of His kingdom.

and love
The word for love here is "ἀγάπη" (agape), which is a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others. Agape love is the highest form of love, exemplified by God's love for humanity and the love that believers are called to exhibit towards one another. It is patient, kind, and enduring, as described earlier in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is the defining characteristic of a true disciple of Christ (John 13:35).

but the greatest of these is love
This concluding phrase elevates love above faith and hope. While all three virtues are essential, love is the greatest because it is the very nature of God (1 John 4:8) and the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). Love is the driving force behind faith and hope, as it motivates believers to trust in God and eagerly anticipate His promises. Love is eternal, as it will continue to exist in the presence of God, where faith and hope will find their fulfillment. In the Christian life, love is the ultimate goal and the most powerful testimony of God's work in the believer's heart.

(13) And now abideth . . .--Better, Thus there abide . . . The "now" is not here temporal, but logical. It is not "now" (i.e., this present life) contrasted with the future, but it is the conclusion of the whole argument. From all that has been urged in the previous verses it follows that these three graces--faith, hope, love--remain imperishable and immortal. Gifts such as the Corinthian Church rejoiced in shall pass away when the perfect succeeds the imperfect; the graces of faith, hope, love shall remain in the next life, exalted and purified. But even in this trinity of graces there is an order, and love stands first. The contrast is not between love which is imperishable and faith and hope which are perishable, but between ephemeral gifts and enduring graces. It is strange how completely in popular thinking this has been lost sight of, and hence we find such words as these--

"Faith will vanish into sight,

Hope be emptied in delight,

Love in heaven will shine more bright,

Therefore give us love;"

which express almost the opposite of what the Apostle really wrote.

There need be no difficulty in understanding that "faith," in the sense of trust in Christ as our Saviour, may continue in the heavenly state; indeed, when we see Him face to face, and see actually how great a salvation He hath obtained for us, that faith may' be expected to glow with a new and increasing fervour Hope, too, need never cease if that new life is to be progressive. If hope lives by feeding on the present as the promise of the future, surely it will have a more abundant sustenance in that life than in this. Yet love stands supreme; indeed, both faith and hope would perish without her. (See Matthew 26:35; Galatians 5:6.)

. . .

Verse 13. - And now. The "now" is not temporal (as opposed to the "then" of the previous verse), but logical. It sums up the paragraph. Abideth. These three graces are fundamental and permanent; not transient, like the charisms, on which the Corinthians were priding themselves, but which should all be "annulled." Faith, hope, charity. It might be difficult to see how "hope" should be permanent. But if the future state be progressive throughout eternity and infinitude, hope will never quite be lost in fruition. Even "within the veil," it will still remain as "an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19). The greatest of these is charity; more literally, greater than these is love. St. Paul does not explain why love is the greatest and best of the three. Various reasons may be given.

1. Love is the greatest, because it is the root of the other two; "we believe only in that which we love; we hope only for that which we love.

2. And love is the greatest because love is for our neighbours; faith and hope mainly for ourselves.

3. And love is the greatest because faith and hope are human, but God is love. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

now
Νυνὶ (Nyni)
Adverb
Strong's 3570: A prolonged form of nun for emphasis; just now.

these
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

three
τρία (tria)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5140: Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'.

remain:
μένει (menei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3306: To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.

faith,
πίστις (pistis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

hope,
ἐλπίς (elpis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1680: Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.

[and] love;
ἀγάπη (agapē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

[the] greatest
μείζων (meizōn)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

of these [is]
τούτων (toutōn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

love.
ἀγάπη (agapē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 13:13 But now faith hope and love remain--these (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
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