1
Ἐὰν ταῖς γλώσσαις τῶν ἀνθρώπων λαλῶ καὶ τῶν ἀγγέλων, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, γέγονα χαλκὸς ἠχῶν ἢ κύμβαλον ἀλαλάζον.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
Condition (protasis–apodosis)ἘὰνThe first of three parallel conditional sentences. The hyperbolic protasis (even angelic eloquence) is offset by the stark apodosis: without love, the gifted speaker is reduced to mere percussive noise.
Ἐὰνifconjunction (introduces 3rd-class condition)ἐάν: 'if' (εἰ + ἄν); with the subjunctive, the third-class condition — a hypothetical case entertained for the sake of argument.
ταῖςtheDativearticle
γλώσσαιςtonguesDativedat. of means/instrument (with λαλῶ)γλῶσσα: 'tongue, language'; here the charismatic 'tongues' of ch. 12–14, stretched hyperbolically to angelic speech.
τῶνofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitivepossessive/subjective genitiveἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the genitive specifies whose languages — human ones, paired below with angelic.
λαλῶI speakPres Act Subj 1 Sg · λαλέωverb of the protasis (subjunctive)→ customary present (durative)λαλέω: 'speak, utter'; the verb characteristically used of speaking in tongues in these chapters.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀγγέλωνangelsGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive (parallel to ἀνθρώπων)ἄγγελος: 'messenger, angel'; the hyperbole — even heavenly eloquence — heightens the contrast with the verdict that follows.
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object of ἔχω (fronted, emphatic)ἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving, others-directed love — the keyword of the chapter, fronted here for emphasis.
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: 'but'; the pivot of each condition — the gift is granted, then countered by its loveless lack.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)μή: the negative proper to the subjunctive and to conditions.
ἔχωI havePres Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔχωverb of the protasis (subjunctive)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; here possession of love as an enduring inner reality, absent in the hypothesis.
γέγοναI have becomePerf Act Indic 1 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of the apodosis→ intensive perfect (resultant state)γίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the perfect underscores the settled condition that results — I stand reduced to mere noise.
χαλκὸςbronze/gongNominativepredicate nominativeχαλκός: 'bronze, copper'; an echoing brass — a resonating metal object, hence a 'sounding gong.'
ἠχῶνsounding/resoundingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἠχέωattributive participle (modifies χαλκός)→ present (durative)ἠχέω: 'to sound, resound, echo' (cf. 'echo'); the empty, reverberating din of metal.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
κύμβαλονcymbalNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate with χαλκός)κύμβαλον: 'cymbal'; a hollow percussion instrument, here associated with clamorous pagan cultic noise.
ἀλαλάζονclangingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · ἀλαλάζωattributive participle (modifies κύμβαλον)→ present (durative)ἀλαλάζω: 'raise a war-cry, clash, clang'; an onomatopoeic verb of loud, agitated sound.
2
καὶ ἐὰν ἔχω προφητείαν καὶ εἰδῶ τὰ μυστήρια πάντα καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γνῶσιν, καὶ ἐὰν ἔχω πᾶσαν τὴν πίστιν ὥστε ὄρη μεθιστάναι, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, οὐθέν εἰμι.
And if I have prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Condition (escalation)καὶ ἐὰνThe second condition piles up the highest cognitive and spiritual gifts — prophecy, total knowledge, mountain-moving faith — and renders the same verdict, now upon the person himself: I am nothing.
καὶandconnective conjunction
ἐὰνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; resumes the conditional pattern of v.1.
ἔχωI havePres Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔχωverb of the protasis→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, possess'; here of possessing a charism.
προφητείανprophecyAccusativedirect objectπροφητεία: 'prophecy'; the gift Paul ranks highest among the speaking gifts (ch. 14) — yet still nothing without love.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰδῶI know/understandPerf Act Subj 1 Sg · οἶδαverb of the protasis (coordinate)→ stative perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know, understand'; the perfect-with-present-meaning verb of settled knowledge.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
μυστήριαmysteriesAccusativedirect object of εἰδῶμυστήριον: 'mystery'; God's hidden purposes now disclosed (cf. 2:7) — comprehensive insight is imagined here.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (totality)πᾶς: 'all, every'; the sweeping totalizing that runs through the verse — all mysteries, all knowledge, all faith.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γνῶσινknowledgeAccusativedirect object of εἰδῶ (coordinate)γνῶσις: 'knowledge'; a prized Corinthian commodity (8:1) — yet, like the mysteries, partial and passing (v.8).
καὶandconnective conjunction
ἐὰνifconjunction (renewed protasis)
ἔχωI havePres Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔχωverb of the protasis→ stative present
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πίστινfaithAccusativedirect object of ἔχωπίστις: here 'faith' in the charismatic, miracle-working sense (cf. 12:9; Matt 17:20) rather than saving trust.
ὥστεso asconjunction (result, + infinitive)ὥστε: 'so that, so as to'; introduces actual or conceived result, here with the infinitive.
ὄρηmountainsAccusativeobject of the infinitive μεθιστάναιὄρος: 'mountain'; the proverbial measure of the impossible made possible by faith.
μεθιστάναιto removePres Act Inf · μεθίστημιinfinitive of result (with ὥστε)→ present (durative)μεθίστημι: 'transfer, remove, displace' (μετά + ἵστημι); to shift mountains from their place.
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object of ἔχω (fronted)ἀγάπη: 'love'; again fronted, the missing variable that voids all the gifts.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle
ἔχωI havePres Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔχωverb of the protasis (negated)→ stative present
οὐθένnothingNominativepredicate nominativeοὐθείς: 'nothing, no one'; a Hellenistic by-form of οὐδείς — the verdict on the gifted but loveless self.
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the apodosis (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'to be'; the equative verb — the loveless person is, in himself, nothing.
3
κἂν ψωμίσω πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντά μου, καὶ ἐὰν παραδῶ τὸ σῶμά μου ἵνα καυχήσωμαι, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, οὐδὲν ὠφελοῦμαι.
And if I give away all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I hand over my body that I may boast, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Condition (climax)κἂνThe third condition moves from speech (v.1) and knowledge (v.2) to the most heroic deeds — total almsgiving and bodily self-surrender. Even these, loveless, yield no profit: the climactic verdict shifts from 'noise' and 'nothing' to 'I gain nothing.'
κἂνand ifconjunction (crasis καί + ἐάν)κἄν: crasis of καί + ἐάν, 'and if, even if'; introduces the third protasis.
ψωμίσωI give to feedAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ψωμίζωverb of the protasis→ constative aoristψωμίζω: 'feed by morsels, dole out food'; from ψωμός ('morsel') — to give away piecemeal as alms.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the totality again — everything one owns.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ὑπάρχοντάpossessionsPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · ὑπάρχωsubstantival participle (direct object)→ present (durative)ὑπάρχω: 'be present, belong'; the neuter plural participle τὰ ὑπάρχοντα is the idiom for 'one's goods, property.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandconnective conjunction
ἐὰνifconjunction (renewed protasis)
παραδῶI hand overAor Act Subj 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιverb of the protasis→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver up' (παρά + δίδωμι); of surrendering one's body — to martyrdom or servitude.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
σῶμάbodyAccusativedirect object of παραδῶσῶμα: 'body'; the self in its physical entirety, given over in the supreme sacrifice.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose, + subjunctive)ἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces the purpose of the self-surrender.
καυχήσωμαιI may boastAor Mid Subj 1 Sg · καυχάομαιverb of the purpose clause→ constative aoristκαυχάομαι: 'boast, glory'; the better-attested reading (vs. καυθήσομαι 'be burned') — even sacrifice can be self-glorifying.
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object of ἔχω (fronted)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the indispensable element, absent once more.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle
ἔχωI havePres Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔχωverb of the protasis (negated)→ stative present
οὐδὲνnothingAccusativeaccusative of respect / direct objectοὐδείς: 'nothing'; the adverbial accusative 'in no respect, not at all' — no profit whatsoever accrues.
ὠφελοῦμαιI am profitedPres Pass Indic 1 Sg · ὠφελέωmain verb of the apodosis→ gnomic presentὠφελέω: 'benefit, profit'; passive 'I am benefited' — the loveless giver gains nothing, however lavish the gift.
4
Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται ἡ ἀγάπη, οὐ ζηλοῖ, ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται,
Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy, love does not boast, it is not puffed up,
Definition by predication (asyndeton)asyndetonThe hymn's central panel begins. Love is personified as the subject of a string of verbs — two positive (patient, kind), then a cascade of negations. The threefold repetition of ἡ ἀγάπη lends solemn, almost liturgical cadence.
ἩtheNominativearticle (with abstract noun)
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubject (of the whole series)ἀγάπη: 'love'; now the grammatical subject, personified as an agent whose conduct is catalogued.
μακροθυμεῖis patientPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μακροθυμέωmain verb→ gnomic present (timeless characterization)μακροθυμέω: 'be long-suffering' (μακρός + θυμός); slow to anger, patient with persons rather than circumstances.
χρηστεύεταιis kindPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · χρηστεύομαιmain verb (asyndeton)→ gnomic presentχρηστεύομαι: 'be kind, show oneself useful/gracious'; from χρηστός — a rare verb, perhaps Paul's own coinage, the active counterpart to patience.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubject (repeated for cadence)
οὐnotnegative particle (with indicative)οὐ: the negative of fact, fitting the indicative verbs that describe love's actual conduct.
ζηλοῖdoes not envyPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζηλόωmain verb (negated)→ gnomic presentζηλόω: 'be zealous; be jealous, envy'; the negative sense here — love does not covet another's good.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubject (third repetition)
οὐnotnegative particle
περπερεύεταιdoes not boastPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · περπερεύομαιmain verb (negated)→ gnomic presentπερπερεύομαι: 'brag, vaunt oneself'; from πέρπερος ('braggart') — a NT hapax denoting self-display.
οὐnotnegative particle
φυσιοῦταιis not puffed upPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · φυσιόωmain verb (negated)→ gnomic presentφυσιόω: 'inflate, puff up' (from φῦσα, 'bellows'); a favorite Corinthian-letter word for arrogance (4:6; 8:1).
5
οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ, οὐ ζητεῖ τὰ ἑαυτῆς, οὐ παροξύνεται, οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν,
it is not indecent, it does not seek its own, it is not provoked, it does not keep account of the wrong,
Definition by predication (negations continue)asyndetonThe catalogue of negations proceeds: love is neither unseemly, self-seeking, irritable, nor a keeper of accounts against the wrongdoer. Each strikes at attitudes Paul has had to confront in Corinth.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀσχημονεῖis not indecentPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀσχημονέωmain verb (negated)→ gnomic presentἀσχημονέω: 'behave indecently, act unbecomingly'; from ἀσχήμων ('shapeless, unseemly') — love does nothing dishonorable.
οὐnotnegative particle
ζητεῖdoes not seekPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζητέωmain verb (negated)→ gnomic presentζητέω: 'seek, strive for'; the heart of love's selflessness — it does not pursue its own interest (cf. 10:24, 33).
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival, neut. pl.)
ἑαυτῆςof itselfGenitivereflexive pronoun (possessive genitive)ἑαυτοῦ: 'oneself'; τὰ ἑαυτῆς = 'its own things, its own interests' — what love declines to chase.
οὐnotnegative particle
παροξύνεταιis not provokedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · παροξύνωmain verb (negated)→ gnomic presentπαροξύνω: 'sharpen, irritate, provoke' (cf. 'paroxysm'); passive — love is not roused to sharp resentment.
οὐnotnegative particle
λογίζεταιdoes not reckonPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb (negated)→ gnomic presentλογίζομαι: 'count, reckon, enter in a ledger'; a commercial metaphor — love keeps no record of the wrong done to it.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
κακόνevil/wrongAccusativedirect object of λογίζεταικακός: 'bad, evil'; substantival τὸ κακόν = 'the wrong, the injury' — the item love refuses to tally.
6
οὐ χαίρει ἐπὶ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, συγχαίρει δὲ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ·
it does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices together with the truth;
Antithesis of joysasyndetonA balanced contrast closes the negations: love takes no pleasure in wrongdoing but shares the joy of truth. The δέ pivots from what love shuns to what it celebrates, preparing the positive summary of v.7.
οὐnotnegative particle
χαίρειdoes not rejoicePres Act Indic 3 Sg · χαίρωmain verb (negated)→ gnomic presentχαίρω: 'rejoice, be glad'; love finds no delight where wrong prevails.
ἐπὶatpreposition + dative (ground/occasion)ἐπί: here 'over, at' — the occasion of the (refused) rejoicing.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀδικίᾳinjustice/wrongDativeobject of ἐπί (occasion)ἀδικία: 'unrighteousness, injustice'; the opposite of ἀλήθεια here — moral wrong, set against truth.
συγχαίρειrejoices withPres Act Indic 3 Sg · συγχαίρωmain verb→ gnomic presentσυγχαίρω: 'rejoice together, congratulate' (σύν + χαίρω); love makes common cause with the truth's gladness.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedat. of association (with συγχαίρει)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; nearly personified — truth as a companion in whose triumph love delights.
7
πάντα στέγει, πάντα πιστεύει, πάντα ἐλπίζει, πάντα ὑπομένει.
it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Fourfold positive summaryasyndetonThe central panel closes with a fourfold, rhythmic 'all things' (πάντα anaphora): love covers, trusts, hopes, perseveres without limit. The sweeping πάντα answers the earlier negations with positive, unconditioned generosity.
πάνταall thingsAccusativeaccusative of respect / direct objectπᾶς: 'all'; the anaphoric πάντα ('in all things, all things') opens each of the four clauses — sweeping, unqualified.
στέγειbears/coversPres Act Indic 3 Sg · στέγωmain verb→ gnomic presentστέγω: 'cover, hold off, bear up under' (from στέγη, 'roof'); either 'covers in silence' or 'endures' — love shelters rather than exposes.
πάνταall thingsAccusativeaccusative of respect
πιστεύειbelievesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb→ gnomic presentπιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; love is ready to trust, not cynically suspicious — though not naïvely credulous.
πάνταall thingsAccusativeaccusative of respect
ἐλπίζειhopesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐλπίζωmain verb→ gnomic presentἐλπίζω: 'hope, expect'; love keeps hoping for the best, undefeated by disappointment.
πάνταall thingsAccusativeaccusative of respect
ὑπομένειenduresPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπομένωmain verb→ gnomic presentὑπομένω: 'remain under, endure, persevere' (ὑπό + μένω); steadfast perseverance — the climactic note of the four.
8
Ἡ ἀγάπη οὐδέποτε πίπτει· εἴτε δὲ προφητεῖαι, καταργηθήσονται· εἴτε γλῶσσαι, παύσονται· εἴτε γνῶσις, καταργηθήσεται.
Love never fails; but whether there are prophecies, they will be abolished; whether tongues, they will cease; whether knowledge, it will be abolished.
Thesis: permanence vs. transienceasyndetonThe third movement opens with the thesis — love never falls — set against the gifts that will be rendered obsolete. The εἴτε…εἴτε construction sorts the charisms: prophecy and knowledge 'abolished,' tongues simply 'cease.'
ἩtheNominativearticle
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubjectἀγάπη: 'love'; the subject of the chapter's great affirmation of permanence.
οὐδέποτεneveradverb (time, emphatic negation)οὐδέποτε: 'never, at no time'; the absolute temporal negation — love at no point fails.
πίπτειfails/fallsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb→ gnomic presentπίπτω: 'fall'; here 'fall away, collapse, come to an end' — love never lapses or is rendered void.
εἴτεwhethercorrelative conjunction (εἴτε…εἴτε)εἴτε: 'whether, if'; distributes the cases — 'whether prophecies… whether tongues… whether knowledge.'
δὲbutadversative conjunction (contrast with love)
προφητεῖαιpropheciesNominativenominative absolute / topic (suspended)προφητεία: 'prophecy'; the highest gift (v.2; ch. 14) — yet itself destined to be set aside.
καταργηθήσονταιthey will be abolishedFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · καταργέωmain verb→ predictive futureκαταργέω: 'render idle, abolish, do away with' (κατά + ἀργός); the gift will be made inoperative when the complete comes.
εἴτεwhethercorrelative conjunction
γλῶσσαιtonguesNominativenominative absolute / topicγλῶσσα: 'tongue'; the tongues-gift — notably said to 'cease' (middle), of itself, rather than be abolished.
παύσονταιthey will ceaseFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · παύωmain verb→ predictive futureπαύω: 'stop, cause to cease'; middle 'cease' — the change of verb (vs. καταργέω) is much discussed but may be mere stylistic variation.
εἴτεwhethercorrelative conjunction
γνῶσιςknowledgeNominativenominative absolute / topicγνῶσις: 'knowledge'; the prized Corinthian gift (8:1) — also partial and passing.
καταργηθήσεταιit will be abolishedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταργέωmain verb→ predictive futureκαταργέω: 'abolish, do away with'; knowledge too is rendered obsolete by the coming fullness.
9
ἐκ μέρους γὰρ γινώσκομεν καὶ ἐκ μέρους προφητεύομεν·
For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
Ground (why the gifts pass)γὰρThe reason the gifts are transient: present knowledge and prophecy are partial. The repeated ἐκ μέρους ('in part') sets up the contrast with τὸ τέλειον ('the complete') in v.10.
ἐκinpreposition + genitive (manner)ἐκ: 'out of, from'; in the idiom ἐκ μέρους = 'in part, partially.'
μέρουςpartGenitiveobject of ἐκ (idiom: 'in part')μέρος: 'part, portion'; ἐκ μέρους denotes the fragmentary, incomplete character of present spiritual knowledge.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; grounds the claim that the gifts will be abolished — they are inherently partial.
γινώσκομενwe knowPres Act Indic 1 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ customary presentγινώσκω: 'know (by experience), come to know'; present knowledge is genuine but incomplete.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκinpreposition + genitive (manner)
μέρουςpartGenitiveobject of ἐκ (idiom: 'in part')
προφητεύομενwe prophesyPres Act Indic 1 Pl · προφητεύωmain verb→ customary presentπροφητεύω: 'prophesy, speak forth (for God)'; even prophetic revelation is, in this age, only partial.
10
ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ τὸ τέλειον, τὸ ἐκ μέρους καταργηθήσεται.
but when the complete comes, the partial will be abolished.
Temporal contrast (eschatological)ὅταν δὲThe decisive turn: when 'the complete' (τὸ τέλειον) arrives, the partial is done away. Whatever the referent — the eschaton, the face-to-face vision of v.12 — the principle is that the partial gives way to the whole.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)ὅταν: 'whenever, when' (ὅτε + ἄν); with the subjunctive, an indefinite future time — here the certain but undated arrival.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἔλθῃcomesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of the temporal clause (subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist (arrival)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the aorist marks the punctiliar event of the complete's arrival.
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
τέλειονcomplete/perfectNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)τέλειος: 'complete, mature, perfect' (from τέλος, 'end, goal'); the consummate state that supersedes the fragmentary.
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes phrase)
ἐκinpreposition + genitive (manner)
μέρουςpartGenitiveobject of ἐκ (the substantival 'the partial')μέρος: 'part'; τὸ ἐκ μέρους = 'that which is partial' — the present incomplete gifts as a class.
καταργηθήσεταιwill be abolishedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταργέωmain verb of the apodosis→ predictive futureκαταργέω: 'abolish, render obsolete'; the partial is set aside, not because it was false, but because it is surpassed.
11
ὅτε ἤμην νήπιος, ἐλάλουν ὡς νήπιος, ἐφρόνουν ὡς νήπιος, ἐλογιζόμην ὡς νήπιος· ὅτε γέγονα ἀνήρ, κατήργηκα τὰ τοῦ νηπίου.
When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I have set aside the things of the child.
Illustration (analogy of growth)asyndetonThe first of two analogies for present partial versus future full. Childhood and adulthood: the child's modes of speech, thought, and reasoning are naturally outgrown — so the gifts, fitting for now, are surpassed in the mature state.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunctionὅτε: 'when'; with the indicative, of definite past time.
ἤμηνI wasImpf Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίverb of the temporal clause→ imperfect (past state)εἰμί: 'to be'; the imperfect ἤμην describes the abiding past condition of childhood.
νήπιοςchild/infantNominativepredicate nominativeνήπιος: 'infant, child' (lit. 'non-speaking'); immaturity — Paul has used it of the Corinthians (3:1).
ἐλάλουνI used to speakImpf Act Indic 1 Sg · λαλέωmain verb→ customary imperfect (habitual past)λαλέω: 'speak'; the imperfect of habitual childhood behavior.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as, like'; introduces the manner appropriate to a child.
νήπιοςa childNominativepredicate of comparison (after ὡς)
ἐφρόνουνI used to thinkImpf Act Indic 1 Sg · φρονέωmain verb (asyndeton)→ customary imperfectφρονέω: 'think, set one's mind, have an attitude'; the child's mode of mind.
ὡςascomparative particle
νήπιοςa childNominativepredicate of comparison
ἐλογιζόμηνI used to reasonImpf Mid Indic 1 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb (asyndeton)→ customary imperfectλογίζομαι: 'reckon, reason, calculate'; the child's manner of reasoning, soon outgrown.
ὡςascomparative particle
νήπιοςa childNominativepredicate of comparison
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
γέγοναI have becomePerf Act Indic 1 Sg · γίνομαιverb of the temporal clause→ intensive perfect (resultant state)γίνομαι: 'become'; the perfect marks the abiding adult state now attained.
ἀνήρa man/adultNominativepredicate nominativeἀνήρ: 'man, adult male'; here the grown man as the figure of maturity over against the νήπιος.
κατήργηκαI have set asidePerf Act Indic 1 Sg · καταργέωmain verb of the apodosis→ intensive perfect (completed with abiding result)καταργέω: 'do away with, set aside'; the same verb used of the gifts (vv.8, 10) — childish things are permanently left behind.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival, neut. pl.)
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
νηπίουchildGenitivepossessive genitive (τὰ τοῦ νηπίου = 'the child's ways')νήπιος: 'child'; τὰ τοῦ νηπίου = 'childish things, the ways of childhood' — abandoned at maturity.
12
βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι' ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον· ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην.
For now we see through a mirror, in a riddle, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully, even as also I have been fully known.
Ground / second illustrationγὰρThe second analogy and the ground of vv.9–11: now we see indirectly, as in a bronze mirror's dim image; then, face to face. The 'now / then' (ἄρτι / τότε) antithesis crystallizes present partial knowledge against the future full knowing, matched to God's own knowledge of us.
βλέπομενwe seePres Act Indic 1 Pl · βλέπωmain verb→ customary presentβλέπω: 'see, look'; of present perception, here indirect and obscured.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; grounds the principle of partiality just illustrated.
ἄρτιnowadverb (present time)ἄρτι: 'now, just now'; the present age, paired antithetically with τότε ('then').
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (means/medium)διά: 'through'; the medium of vision — a (reflecting) mirror.
ἐσόπτρουa mirrorGenitiveobject of διά (means)ἔσοπτρον: 'mirror'; ancient mirrors were polished bronze, giving an imperfect, dim reflection — Corinth was famed for its bronze.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)ἐν: 'in'; the manner of the seeing — obscure, enigmatic.
αἰνίγματιa riddle/obscurelyDativeobject of ἐν (manner)αἴνιγμα: 'riddle, enigma' (cf. 'enigma'); echoes Num 12:8 LXX — present knowledge is indirect, like a riddle.
τότεthenadverb (future time)τότε: 'then, at that time'; the future consummation, answering ἄρτι.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative in idiom (πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον)πρόσωπον: 'face, countenance'; the Hebraic idiom 'face to face' (cf. Gen 32:30) — direct, unmediated sight.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (in the idiom)
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of πρός (idiom)
ἄρτιnowadverb (present time)
γινώσκωI knowPres Act Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb→ customary presentγινώσκω: 'know'; present knowledge — real, but ἐκ μέρους, in part.
ἐκinpreposition + genitive (manner)
μέρουςpartGenitiveobject of ἐκ (idiom: 'in part')μέρος: 'part'; the leitmotif of incompleteness from vv.9–10.
τότεthenadverb (future time)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἐπιγνώσομαιI shall know fullyFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb→ predictive futureἐπιγινώσκω: 'know fully, recognize' (ἐπί-intensive of γινώσκω); the future full knowledge that surpasses the present partial.
καθὼςeven ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as, even as'; sets my future knowing in correspondence to God's present knowing of me.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ἐπεγνώσθηνI have been fully knownAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb (passive: God the implied agent)→ constative aorist (divine knowing)ἐπιγινώσκω: 'know fully'; the divine passive — God already knows me wholly; my future knowledge will answer to his.
13
Νυνὶ δὲ μένει πίστις, ἐλπίς, ἀγάπη, τὰ τρία ταῦτα· μείζων δὲ τούτων ἡ ἀγάπη.
But now there abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Conclusion (the abiding triad)Νυνὶ δὲThe capstone. Against the transient gifts stands the enduring triad — faith, hope, love. The singular verb μένει binds the three as a unity; and among them love is crowned greatest, for it alone belongs fully to the consummated state.
Νυνὶnowadverb (logical 'now')νυνί: emphatic form of νῦν, 'now'; likely logical ('as it is, in sum') rather than merely temporal — drawing the conclusion.
δὲbuttransitional/contrastive conjunctionδέ: 'but, now'; marks the contrast with the vanishing gifts of vv.8–12.
μένειabides/remainsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ gnomic present (enduring reality)μένω: 'remain, abide, endure'; the singular verb unites the triad — they persist where the gifts fail (cf. v.8 πίπτει).
πίστιςfaithNominativesubject (first of the triad)πίστις: 'faith, trust'; here saving/abiding faith — first of the enduring three.
ἐλπίςhopeNominativesubject (coordinate)ἐλπίς: 'hope'; confident expectation of the promised good — the second of the triad.
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubject (coordinate, climactic)ἀγάπη: 'love'; named last and then exalted — the chapter's keyword reaches its crown.
τὰtheNominativearticle
τρίαthreeNominativeapposition to the triad (numeral)τρεῖς: 'three'; τὰ τρία ταῦτα gathers the three into a recognized, enduring set.
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative (in apposition)οὗτος: 'this'; 'these three' — pointing back emphatically to the named triad.
μείζωνgreater/greatestNominativepredicate adjective (comparative for superlative)μέγας (compar. μείζων): 'greater'; the comparative used as a superlative — 'the greatest' of the three.
δὲbutadversative/intensive conjunction
τούτωνof theseGenitivepartitive/comparative genitiveοὗτος: 'this'; the genitive of comparison — greatest 'among these.'
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubject (the predicate's referent)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the final word of the hymn — supreme because it abides even when faith becomes sight and hope possession.