1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (KJV): meaning and how to memorise it

What 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 says

Paul describes love. Love is patient and kind. It does not envy, boast or seek its own. It bears, believes, hopes and endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 in context

¹Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. ²And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. ³And 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. ⁴Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, ⁵Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; ⁶Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; ⁷Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. ⁸Charity 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. ⁹For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

1 Corinthians 13, verses 1–10. Read the whole chapter with John Brown’s notes in the Self-Interpreting Bible.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 in the catechisms

The Reformation catechisms and confessions cite 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 5 times as a proof text.

WLC 147
What are the duties required in the tenth commandment?
WLC 145
What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?
WLC 171
How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?
WLC 144
What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?
HC 112
What is required in the ninth commandment?

How to memorise 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

Hearers breaks the verse into clauses and teaches each clause in four steps. Then it brings each clause back just before you forget it.

01
Read
Read the verse with the clauses marked. Listen to it read aloud.
02
Trace
Type the first letter of each word, with the words shown faintly.
03
Fade
Half of the words go. Type the text again, and fill the gaps from memory.
04
Recall
All the words go. Type it or say it aloud. Each clause gets its own grade and its own review date.