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Epiphany Season · Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year C

1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13 or 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

The Excellent Way of Love

January 30, 2028

Charity, Andrea del Sarto
Charity, Andrea del Sarto, before 1530National Gallery of Art, Washington
A young mother in pink, the figure of Charity, nurses one child while two others lean against her.Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.Andrea del SartoA Florentine master of the High Renaissance, admired for soft colour and graceful, natural figures.National Gallery of Art, WashingtonThe National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the nation’s art museum, free to all.National Gallery of Art, Washington
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 4:21-30Lk 4:21-30
Second Reading1 Cor. 12:31–13:131 Cor 12:31–13:13 or1 Cor. 13:4-131 Cor 13:4-13
First ReadingJer. 1:4-5, 17-19Jer 1:4-5, 17-19
Responsorial PsalmPs. 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 (cf. 15ab)Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 (cf. 15ab)

Overview & Insights

"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Paul interrupts his teaching on spiritual gifts to point the divided Corinthian church toward a still more excellent way. Every gift and sacrifice is worthless without love, and love's patient, humble, and enduring character will outlast even prophecy, tongues, and knowledge.

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Take it further: 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13 or 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13Commentary on 1 Cor 13:1-13 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary situating the love chapter within Paul's response to the Corinthians' rivalry over spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Commentary1 Cor 13:1-13 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary noting that Paul's most excellent way is Epiphany language applied to congregational life.

1 Corinthians 13 Commentary1 Cor 13 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse study of what love does and does not do.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Commentaries1 Cor 13:4 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on love is patient and love is kind.

1 Corinthians 13 Commentary1 Cor 13 Commentary Precept Austin

Deep verse by verse study notes gathering many conservative scholars on love's character and permanence.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C) Agape Bible Study

Catholic study of the full Sunday readings, placing the love chapter alongside Jeremiah's call and Luke's rejection scene.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:131 Cor 12:31-13:13 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.

Background & Word Study

1 Corinthians 13:4 Interlinear1 Cor 13:4 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing for love, patient, and kind.

The Church Fathers

1 Corinthians 13 - Catena Bible & Commentaries1 Cor 13 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment chained verse by verse on love as the greatest of the abiding virtues.

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