1 Corinthians 13:3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:3: "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
Paul intensifies the argument: even generosity and martyr-like self-sacrifice gain nothing without love. “Bestow all my goods to feed the poor” reflects ethical living and charitable acts. “Give my body to be burned” references extreme martyrdom or ultimate sacrifice—yet, without love, these acts are empty performance. In Corinth, acts of benevolence and bravado could be public displays designed to gain honor. Paul’s rebuke is sharp: acts without love fail to transform the giver or the recipient. The verse underscores that outward actions, no matter how noble, require an inner disposition of love to bear real spiritual fruit. It’s a corrective against moralism divorced from relational virtue.
Theologically, this verse again centers love as the essential motive and atmosphere of righteous acts. It asserts that God judges the heart behind each deed; external generosity or heroic sacrifice do not become meaningful apart from love that seeks others’ good. The passage ties ethical behavior to the gospel’s transformative power: love makes sacrifice meaningful, and without love, sacrifices become noise before God. It also foreshadows the comprehensive scope of love in 1 Corinthians 13, showing that love is the driving force behind genuine righteousness.
Practically, reflect on your charitable acts and sacrifices. Are you giving to feel good about yourself, or to genuinely bless others and honor God? Consider the motivation behind generosity: is it passive, public acclaim, or quiet, faithful service? If you volunteer or donate, ensure you do so with love—prioritizing the needs of others, dignity, and long-term impact rather than showy displays. In personal life, seek to align actions with love: feeding the hungry with humility, supporting someone in hardship without seeking recognition. Remember that love makes sacrifices meaningful and lasting.
Cross-References: Matthew 6:1-4; 1 John 3:17-18; Galatians 5:13; Romans 12:13; James 2:14-17