INTRODUCTION: This is the “Charity Chapter” in the Bible. The “Love Chapter” should correctly be 1 John 4. The word, charity, is used nine (9) times in 1 Corinthians 13. Charity is a kind of love (as is brotherly love), but all love is not charity.

Charity specifically refers to the love that we have toward other men. Paul stresses that we are to walk "charitably" toward our weaker brothers (Romans 14:13-15 [13] Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. [14] I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. [15] But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
See All...). He praised the Thessalonians because "the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (2 Thessalonians 1:3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
See All...). In 1 Peter 4:8-9 [8] And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. [9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
See All..., Peter told the believers, "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging."

John encouraged the saints, "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church..." (3 John 1:5-6 [5] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; [6] Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
See All...). In all of these passages, charity describes the love of the saints for others. Most of the time, it refers to other believers: toward each other, among yourselves, to the brethren. In one case (3 John 1:5-6 [5] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; [6] Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
See All...), it includes strangers. But in them all, God is referring to the special love that believers should have for others.

1. THE EXCELLENCY OF CHARITY (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 [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. [2] And 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. [3] And 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.
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1. Better Than Signs of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
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2. Better Than Scriptural Scholarship (1 Corinthians 13:2And 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.
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3. Better Than Spiritual Strength (1 Corinthians 13:2And 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.
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4. Better Than Supreme Sacrifice (1 Corinthians 13:3And 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.
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2. THE EXERCISE OF CHARITY (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 [4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; 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, but rejoiceth in the truth; [7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
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1. Concerning Others (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 [4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; 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;
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1. Suffers long
2. Is kind
3. Envies not
4. Vaunts not itself; to vaunt is to boast or brag
5. Is not puffed up
6. Does not behave unseemly
7. Seeks not her own
8. Is not easily provoked
9. Thinks no evil
2. Concerning God (1 Corinthians 13:6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
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1. Rejoices not in iniquity
2. Rejoices in the truth
3. Concerning Self (1 Corinthians 13:7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
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1. Bears all things
2. Believes all things
3. Hopes all things
4. Endures all things
3. THE ETERNITY OF CHARITY (1 Corinthians 13:8-13 [8] Charity 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. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. [10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. [11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. [12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. [13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
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1. The Imperfection of the Gifts (1 Corinthians 13:8-9 [8] Charity 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. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
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2. The Principle of Perfection (1 Corinthians 13:10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
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3. The Process of Perfection (1 Corinthians 13:11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
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4. The Epitome of Perfection (1 Corinthians 13:12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
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5. The Virtues Which Abide (1 Corinthians 13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
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CONCLUSION:

1 Corinthians 16:14Let all your things be done with charity.
See All... Let all your things be done with charity.

Colossians 3:14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
See All... And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

1 Timothy 1:5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
See All... Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

1 Peter 4:8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
See All... And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

2 Peter 1:7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
See All... And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.