1 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 13:3 mean?

1 Corinthians 13:3 says that even if a person gives away everything they own to help the poor, or even sacrifices their own body, if they do not have "charity" (meaning love), these actions gain them nothing. The verse stresses that outward acts, no matter how impressive, are worthless without genuine love.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing Christians who were proud of their spiritual gifts and good deeds. Here, Paul explains that the true value of any sacrifice or generosity depends on whether it is motivated by real love. This verse is part of a larger section where Paul describes love as the most important quality for followers of Jesus.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 13:3

• ἀγάπη (agapē): Translated as "charity" in the KJV, this Greek word means a deep, selfless love that seeks the good of others. Paul uses this word to highlight that not just any feeling or action counts—only this kind of love gives value to our deeds.
• ψωμίζω (psōmizō): Translated as "bestow...to feed," this word means to dole out food in small pieces, suggesting careful, personal giving. Paul points out that even the most thoughtful generosity is empty without love.
• παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi): Translated as "give" (my body), this word often means to hand over or surrender, even to the point of martyrdom. Paul’s point is that even the ultimate sacrifice is meaningless without love.
• οὐδέν (ouden): Translated as "nothing," this word means absolutely nothing at all. Paul is emphatic—without love, even the greatest acts have zero value.

Why 1 Corinthians 13:3 matters

• 1 Corinthians 13:3 corrects the idea that good deeds or self-sacrifice are valuable on their own; Paul insists that motivation matters more than the action itself.
• This verse connects to the larger argument in 1 Corinthians 13, where Paul shows that love is greater than any spiritual gift or act of service.
• The verse challenges readers to examine not just what they do, but why they do it, making love the true measure of spiritual maturity.