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 13:8KJV
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1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 13:8 mean?

1 Corinthians 13:8 says that love ("charity" in the King James Version) never ends or fails, but spiritual gifts like prophecy, speaking in tongues, and special knowledge will eventually come to an end. The verse highlights that love is permanent, while other spiritual abilities are temporary.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing their focus on spiritual gifts and reminding them that love is the most important quality. In the surrounding verses, Paul is explaining that while gifts like prophecy, tongues, and knowledge are valuable, they are not lasting. Only love will remain forever, outlasting all other gifts and abilities.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 13:8

  • "Charity" (ἀγάπη, agapē, G26) refers to selfless, sacrificial love. Paul uses this word to describe the highest form of love, which is enduring and central to Christian life.
  • "Never" (οὐδέποτε, oudepote, G3763) means "not at any time" or "never," emphasizing the absolute, unending nature of love.
  • "Faileth" (πίπτει, piptei, G1601) literally means "falls" or "collapses." Here, it conveys the idea that love does not collapse or come to an end.
  • "Prophecies" (προφητεῖαι, prophēteiai, G4394), "tongues" (γλῶσσαι, glōssai, G1100), and "knowledge" (γνῶσις, gnōsis, G1108) are all spiritual gifts that were highly valued in the Corinthian church, but Paul says they will "fail" (καταργηθήσονται, katargēthēsontai, G2673), "cease" (παύσονται, pausontai, G3973), or "vanish away" (καταργηθήσεται, katargēthēsetai, G2673)—all words that point to their temporary nature.

Why 1 Corinthians 13:8 matters

  • This verse corrects the idea that spiritual gifts are the ultimate sign of maturity or closeness to God, showing that love is actually the highest and most lasting quality.
  • It helps clarify the context of 1 Corinthians 13, which is not just a poetic passage about love but a direct teaching about what truly lasts in the Christian life.
  • The verse sets up the contrast between what is temporary (spiritual gifts) and what is eternal (love), preparing the reader for Paul’s explanation in the following verses about the partial and the complete.

Where else these words appear

“faileth” Greek G1601 · used in 13 verses

  • Mark 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
  • Acts 27:29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
  • James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

“never” Greek G3763 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
  • Matthew 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
  • Acts 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

“cease” Greek G3973 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
  • Acts 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
  • Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

“prophecies” Greek G4394 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
  • Revelation 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.