Meaning, commentary and cross references
1 Corinthians 13:7
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
NIV · New International Version
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
WEB · World English Bible
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
What does 1 Corinthians 13:7 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 1 Corinthians 13:7
Beareth all things,.... The burdens of fellow Christians, and so fulfils the law of Christ, which is the law of love; the infirmities of weak believers, and the reproaches and persecutions of the world: or "covers all things", as it may be rendered, even a multitude of sins, as charity is said to do, 1 Peter 4:8 not by conniving at them, or suffering them to be upon a brother; but having privately and faithfully reproved for them, and the offender being brought to a sense and acknowledgment of them, he freely forgives them as trespasses against him, covers them with the mantle of love, and industriously hides and conceals them from others; believeth all things; that are to be believed, all…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Charity believes and hopes well of others: Believeth all things; hopeth all things. Indeed charity does by no means destroy prudence, and, out of mere simplicity and silliness, believe every word, Pro 14:15. Wisdom may dwell with love, and charity be cautious. But it is apt to believe well of all, to entertain a good opinion of them when there is no appearance to the contrary; nay, to believe well when there may be some dark appearances, if the evidence of ill be not clear.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on 1 Corinthians 13:4–8
7. Beareth all things, etc. By all these statements he intimates, that love is neither impatient nor spiteful. For to bear and endure all things is the part of forbearance to believe and hope all things is the part of candor and kindness.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: 1 Corinthians 13:4–10 (WEB)
4Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, 5doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; 6doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with.
Cross references
- 1 Peter 4:8
And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
- 1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.
- 2 Timothy 2:24
The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,
- Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
- Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12
If others partake of this right over you, don’t we yet more? Nevertheless we didn’t use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ.
- Song of Solomon 8:6–7
Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of the LORD.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q86. What is required in the tenth commandment?
The tenth commandment requires full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit towards our neighbor, and all that is his.