1 Corinthians 13:3

The suppositions of these three vv. cover three principal forms of activity in the Church the spheres, viz., of supernatural manifestation, of spiritual influence, of material aid (1 Corinthians 13:3); loveless men who show conspicuous power in these several respects, in the first instance are sound signifying nothing; in the second, they are nothing; in the third, they gain nothing. Those who make sacrifices to benefit others without love, must have some hidden selfish recompense that they count upon; but they will cheat themselves. ἐὰν ψωμίσω κ. τ. λ., “If I should dole out all my property”. The vb [1972] (derived from ψωμός f1ψωμίον, John 13:26 ff. a bit or crumb) takes acc [1973] of person in Romans 12:20 (LXX), here of thing both regular: “Si distribuero in cibos pauperum” (Vg [1974]), “Si insumam alendis egenis” (Bz [1975]). The sacrifice of property rises to its climax in that of bodily life : cf. Job 2:4 f., Daniel 3:28; Galatians 2:20, etc.; John 10:2; John 15:13. But in either case, ex hypothesi, the devotion is vitiated by its motive ἵνα καυχήσωμαι, “that I may make a boast” (cf. Matthew 6:1 ff.); it is prompted by ambition, not love. So the self-immolator forfeits the end he seeks; his glorifying becomes κενοδοξία (Galatians 5:26; Philippians 2:3; cf. John 5:44). οὐδὲν ὠφελοῦμαι signifies loss of final benefit (cf. Galatians 5:2; Romans 2:25; Luke 9:25). This entire train of supposition P. puts in the 1st pers [1976], so avoiding the appearance of censure: cf., for the usus loquendi, 1Co 14:14-19, 1 Corinthians 8:13; 1 Corinthians 9:26 f. καυθήσωμαι is a grammatical monstrum, a reading that cannot well be explained except as a corruption of καυχήσωμαι; it was favoured by the thought of the Christian martyrdoms, and perhaps by the influence of Daniel 3:28. Hn [1977], Gd [1978], Ed [1979], El [1980], amongst critical comment., are in favour of the T.R., which is supported by the story, told in Josephus (B.J., vii. 8. 7), of a Buddhist fakir who about this time immolated himself by fire at Athens.

[1972] verb

[1973] accusative case.

[1974] Latin Vulgate Translation.

[1975] Beza's Nov. Testamentum: Interpretatio et Annotationes (Cantab., 1642).

[1976]ers. grammatical person, or personal.

[1977] C. F. G. Heinrici's Erklärung der Korintherbriefe (1880), or 1 Korinther in Meyer's krit.-exegetisches Kommentar (1896).

[1978] F. Godet's Commentaire sur la prem. Ép. aux Corinthiens (Eng. Trans.).

[1979] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians. 2

[1980] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.