I Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
The word “charity” (“agape”) has a very specific meaning, as it is used in the Bible. While “agape” is sometimes translated to the English word “love”; it appears that the translators used the English word “charity” when the text required it’s specific meaning. The Old English Dictionary summarily defines “charity” as, “Christian love in its highest manifestation”; that is, Christian love as it is wonderfully demonstrated by kind and gracious actions. We can feel love for the Lord, for our husbands or wives, for our children, for our Christian Brethren, etc.; but, if we don’t do anything to put that love into action, to demonstrate it, then we are “nothing” (I Corinthians 13:1). This blessed “charity” rises from our Spiritual Birth and we are told what it DOES NOT DO. It is made plain that “charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity”! “charity envieth not”; that is, true Christian Love does not envy what another person has that we don’t have; for example, material things, perceived positions of honor and authority, practical gifts such as singing or preaching. “charity vaunteth not itself”; that is, true Christian love does not boast about possessions, positions, talents, spiritual gifts, and does not promote one’s self for recognition and perceived positions of leadership or power. “charity … is not puffed up”; that is, true Christian love is not self-exalted with pride and a conceited view of self. “charity … Doth not behave itself unseemly”; that is, true Christian love does not use foul language and does not speak of immoral things. “charity … seeketh not her own”; that is, true Christian love does not seek advantage or position or power or honor for one’s self over others. “charity … is not easily provoked”; that is, true Christian love does not quickly become angry or speak angerly or harshly. “charity … thinketh no evil”; that is, true Christian love does not try to pick out a person’s flaws, mistakes, and sins so as to condemn them and make them appear less than one’s self. “charity … Rejoiceth not in iniquity”; that is, while it is certainly true that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23), true Christian love has no joy in personal “iniquity” or that of others; but, is greatly grieved by it. One more thing, “Charity never faileth” (I Corinthians 13:8); that is, when it is practiced, it always produces a loving and attractive environment that has a mighty drawing effect upon other “born again” Children of God.