1 Corinthians 12-14

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 12:28

Text: (NA27):

Καὶ οὓς μὲν ἔθετο ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ πρῶτον ἀποστόλους, δεύτερον προφήτας, τρίτον διδασκάλους, ἔπειτα δυνάμεις, ἔπειτα χαρίσματα ἰαμάτων, ἀντιλήμψεις, κυβερνήσεις, γένη γλωσσῶν.

Transliteration (Accordance):

Kai hous men etheto ho theos en tȩ̄ ekklēsia̧ prōton apostolous, deuteron prophētas, triton didaskalous, epeita dynameis, epeita charismata iamatōn, antilēmpseis, kybernēseis, genē glōssōn.

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

And God has placed in the church, first, some who are apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then effective deeds of power, then gifts of healing, various kinds of administrative support, ability to formulate strategies, various kinds of tongues.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

οὓς μέν : some.
ἔθετο : aorist middle of τίθημι put, place, middle connoting "for his own purposes".
δεύτερος : second, neuter as adverb.
τρίτος : third.
διδάσκαλος : teacher.
ἔπειτα : then.
δυνάμεις : nominative and accusative plural of δύναμις power, normally denotes the activity, in verse 29 seems to denote the persons endowed with the gift.
χάρισμα : gift from God for the service of the community, the variety of gifts not effacing their unity which is grounded in the one God.
ἴαμα : (< ἰάομαι heal, cure) cure, healing.
ἀντίλημψις : helping (others), denotes the corporal works of mercy.
κυβέρνησις : guidance, administration.
γένη γλωσσῶν : kinds of tongues.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 12:29

Text: (NA27):

μὴ πάντες ἀπόστολοι; μὴ πάντες προφῆται; μὴ πάντες διδάσκαλοι; μὴ πάντες δυνάμεις;

Transliteration (Accordance):

mē pantes apostoloi? mē pantes prophētai? mē pantes didaskaloi? mē pantes dynameis?

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

All are not apostles, are they? Surely all are not prophets? Could all be teachers? Do all perform effective deeds of power?

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

μή : interrogative expecting a negative answer, not all are apostles, are they?

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 12:30

Text: (NA27):

μὴ πάντες χαρίσματα ἔχουσιν ἰαμάτων; μὴ πάντες γλώσσαις λαλοῦσιν; μὴ πάντες διερμηνεύουσιν;

Transliteration (Accordance):

μὴ πάντες χαρίσματα ἔχουσιν ἰαμάτων; μὴ πάντες γλώσσαις λαλοῦσιν; μὴ πάντες διερμηνεύουσιν;

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

Does everyone have gifts to heal in various ways? Surely all do not speak in tongues, do they? Do all put the deepest spiritual things into articular speech?

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

μή : interrogative expecting a negative answer, not all are apostles, are they?
διερμηνεύω : interpret. See here.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 12:31

Text: (NA27):

ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ χαρίσματα τὰ μείζονα.
Καὶ ἔτι καθ᾿ ὑπερβολὴν ὁδὸν ὑμῖν δείκνυμι.

Transliteration (Accordance):
Translation (Thiselton 2006):

Continue to be zealously concerned about the "greatest" gifts.
Yet, an even greater way still I am going to show you.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

ζηλοῦτε : imperative of ζηλόω (τι) be zealous/eager for (something).
μείζων -ζονος : comparative of μέγας great.
ἔτι : yet, still.
ὑπερβολή : (< ὑπερβάλλω go beyond, surpass) preeminence, κα ὑπερβολήν French par excellence, and incomparable way, a way better than any.

Comment by Gordon D. Fee in the first edition of his NICNT commentary (I have the second edition; however it is not in Accordance as is the first edition, which is easier for me to quote here ― copy and paste rather than transcribe). The second edition is more fulsome and refined, but the first contains the basic exegesis. All his many footnotes are omitted from this post.

31

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:1

Text: (NA27):

Ἐὰν ταῖς γλώσσαις τῶν ἀνθρώπων λαλῶ καὶ τῶν ἀγγέλων, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, γέγονα χαλκὸς ἠχῶν ἢ κύμβαλον ἀλαλάζον.

Transliteration (Accordance):

Ean tais glōssais tōn anthrōpōn lalō kai tōn aggelōn, agapēn de mē echō, gegona chalkos ēchōn ē kymbalon alalazon.

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

If I were to speak with human or angelic tongues, but if I had not love, I would have become only a resonating jar or a reverberating cymbal.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

γλῶσσα : language, tongue, γλώσσαις τῶν ἀγγέλων the way in which angels are thought to express their adoration.
ἐάν ... λαλῶ : (present subjunctive) a possible condition.
ἔχω : present subjunctive.
γέγονα : perfect of γίνομαι, in perfect be.
χαλκός : brass, copper.
ἠχῶν : participle of ἠχέω make a sound or noise.
κύμβαλον : cymbal,
ἀλαλάζον : participle of ἀλαλάζω wail loudly (Mk 5:38) ; of a cymbal, clang.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:2

Text: (NA27):

καὶ ἐὰν ἔχω προφητείαν καὶ εἰδῶ τὰ μυστήρια πάντα καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γνῶσιν καὶ ἐὰν ἔχω πᾶσαν τὴν πίστιν ὥστε ὄρη μεθιστάναι, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, οὐθέν εἰμι.

Transliteration (Accordance):

kai ean echō prophēteian kai eidō ta mystēria panta kai pasan tēn gnōsin kai ean echō pasan tēn pistin hōste orē methistanai, agapēn de mē echō, outhen eimi.

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

And if I should have the gift of prophecy, and if I penetrate all the depths too profound for mere human discovery, and have all "knowledge," and if I possess the gifts of every kind of faith sufficient to remove mountains―but after all, may lack love, I am nothing.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

προφητεία : (gift of) prophecy.
εἰδῶ : subjunctive of οἶδα (perfect-present) know.
μυστήριον : (< μυέω initiate) secret rite ; in NT the secret mystery of the divine plan.
γνῶσις : knowledge.
μεθιστάναι : infinitive of μεθίστημί τι move, remove something elsewhere.
οὐθέν = οὐδέν : nothing.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:3

Text: (NA27):

κἂν ψωμίσω πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντά μου καὶ ἐὰν παραδῶ τὸ σῶμά μου ἵνα καυχήσωμαι, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, οὐδὲν ὠφελοῦμαι.

Transliteration (Accordance):

kan psōmisō panta ta hyparchonta mou kai ean paradō to sōma mou hina kauchēsōmai, agapēn de mē echō, ouden ōpheloumai.

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

Even if I should divide up all my possessions to feed the needy, and if I hand over my body that I may glory, but have not love, it counts for nothing.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

ψωμίσω : aorist subjunctive of ψωμίζω dole out so as to feed.
ὑπάρχοντα : participle of ὑπάρχω ; ὑπάρχω τινί belong to one, τὰ ὑπάρχοντα possessions.
παραδῶ : aorist subjunctive of παραδίδωμι hand over, give (over), deliver.
καυχήσωμαι : aorist subjunctive of καυχάομαι boast.
οὐδέν : in no way.
ὠφελοῦμαι : passive of ὠφελέω help, be profitable or good ; passive be helped/benefited.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:4

Text: (NA27):

Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται [ἡ ἀγάπη], οὐ ζηλοῖ, ἡ ἀγάπη] οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται

Transliteration (Accordance):

hĒ agapē makrothymei, chrēsteuetai [hē agapē], ou zēloi, hē agapē] ou perpereuetai, ou physioutai

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

Love waits patiently; love shows kindness, love does not burn with envy; love does not brag ― it is not inflated with its own importance.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

μακροθυμέω : (adjective μακρόθυμος long-tempored) be slow to anger, be patient.
χρηστεύομαι : be kind (χρηστός).
ζηλόω : be zealous, or envious.
περπερεύομαι : put oneself forward, colloquial "show off".
φυσιοῦμαι : passive of φυσιόω inflate ; passive be full of one's own importance.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:5

Text: (NA27):

οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ, οὐ ζητεῖ τὰ ἑαυτῆς, οὐ παροξύνεται, οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν

Transliteration (Accordance):

ouk aschēmonei, ou zētei ta heautēs, ou paroxynetai, ou logizetai to kakon

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

It does not behave with ill-mannered impropriety; it is not preoccupied with the interests of the self; does not become exasperated into pique; does not keep a reckoning up of evil.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

ἀσχημονέω : behave dishonorably or deceitfully.
τὰ ἑαυτῆς : "what are its own", i.e. its own interests.
παροξύνομαι : (< ὀξύς sharp) : be hot-tempered.
λογίζομαι : put down to one's account ; reason ; consider ; brood over.
κακόν : evil ; injury.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:6

Text: (NA27):

οὐ χαίρει ἐπὶ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, συγχαίρει δὲ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ

Transliteration (Accordance):

ou chairei epi tȩ̄ adikia̧, sygchairei de tȩ̄ alētheia̧

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

Love does not take pleasure in wrongdoing, but joyfully celebrates truth.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

ἀδικία : unrighteousness, wrongdoing.
συγχαίρω τινί : rejoice with.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:7

Text: (NA27):

πάντα στέγει, πάντα πιστεύει, πάντα ἐλπίζει, πάντα ὑπομένει.

Transliteration (Accordance):

panta stegei, panta pisteuei, panta elpizei, panta hypomenei.

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

It never tires of support, never loses faith, never exhausts hope, never gives up.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

στέγω : bear.
ἐλπίζω : hope.
ὑπομένω : endure.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:8

Text: (NA27):
Transliteration (Accordance):

hĒ agapē oudepote piptei; eite de prophēteiai, katargēthēsontai; eite glōssai, pausontai; eite gnōsis, katargēthēsetai.

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

Love never falls apart. Whether there are prophecies, these will be brought to an end; or if it be tongues, these will stop; if it be "knowledge," this will be rendered obsolete.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

οὐδέποτε : never.
πίπτω : metaphorical fail.
εἴτε ... εἴτε : whether (it be)...or...
προφητεία : prophecy.
καταργηθήσονται : (first time) future passive of καταργέω bring to nothing (ἄ-εργος, idle, inoperative).
γλῶσσα : language ; tongue.
παύσονται : future middle of παύω restrain ; middle cease.
γνῶσις : knowledge.
καταργηθήσεται : translate will be superseded

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:9

Text: (NA27):

ἐκ μέρους γὰρ γινώσκομεν καὶ ἐκ μέρους προφητεύομεν

Transliteration (Accordance):

ek merous gar ginōskomen kai ek merous prophēteuomen

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

For we know in fragmentary ways, and we prophesy part by part.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

μέρος : part, ἐκ μέρους partially, in part.
προφητεύω : prophesy.

[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:10

Text: (NA27):

ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ τὸ τέλειον, τὸ ἐκ μέρους καταργηθήσεται.

Transliteration (Accordance):

hotan de elthȩ̄ to teleion, to ek merous katargēthēsetai.

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

When the completed whole comes, what is piece by piece shall be done away.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

ἔλθῃ : aorist subjunctive of ἔρχομαι come.
τέλειος : complete ; perfect.
τὸ ἐκ μέρους : what is partial/incomplete ; what is imperfect.

Comment from the first edition of The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NICNT: Eerdmans, 1987), by Gordon D. Fee (via Accordance):

*

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[John Reece]

1 Corinthians 13:11

Text: (NA27):
Transliteration (Accordance):

hote ēmēn nēpios, elaloun hōs nēpios, ephronoun hōs nēpios, elogizomēn hōs nēpios; hote gegona anēr, katērgēka ta tou nēpiou.

Translation (Thiselton 2006):

When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, form opinions like a child, count values like a child; when I reached adulthood, I turned my back on the things of childhood.

Grammatical Analysis (Zerwick/BDAG, meanings in this context):

ἤμην : imperfect of εἰμί be.
νήπιος : infant ; child.
ἐλάλουν : imperfect of λαλέω talk, speak.
ἐφρόνουν : imperfect of φρονέω think.
ἐλογιζόμην : λογίζομαι (verse 5) reckon, calculate, reason, consider, brood over.
γέγονα : (verse 1) perfect of γίνομαι become, be
ὅτε γέγονα : since I became or preferably now I am.
κατήργηκα : perfect of καταργέω here, have finished/done with.
τὰ τοῦ νηπίου : the things of childhood.

Comment from the first edition of The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NICNT: Eerdmans, 1987), by Gordon D. Fee (via Accordance):

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