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The Love Chapter: The Meaning of First Corinthians 13
I Corinthians 13 is one of the most frequently read chapters and remains one of the most important passages in all of Scripture. Unfortunately, it also remains one of the least followed teachings in Scripture as well. Fourth Century theologian John Chrysostom, known for his eloquence in preaching, reflects here upon the true implications of St. Paul's passage and reveals why there is great importance in understanding that "the greatest of these is love." With introduction by Frederica Mathewes-Green.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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About the author
John Chrysostom
1,288 books238 followersJohn Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος), Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities. After his death in 407 (or, according to some sources, during his life) he was given the Greek epithet chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", in English and Anglicized to Chrysostom.
The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and as a Doctor of the Church. Churches of the Western tradition, including the Roman Catholic Church, some Anglican provinces, and parts of the Lutheran Church, commemorate him on 13 September. Some Lutheran and many Anglican provinces commemorate him on the traditional Eastern feast day of 27 January. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also recognizes John Chrysostom as a saint (with feast days on 16 Thout and 17 Hathor).
John is known in Christianity chiefly as a preacher, theologian and liturgist. Among his homilies, eight directed against Judaizing Christians remain controversial for their impact on the development of Christian antisemitism.
The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and as a Doctor of the Church. Churches of the Western tradition, including the Roman Catholic Church, some Anglican provinces, and parts of the Lutheran Church, commemorate him on 13 September. Some Lutheran and many Anglican provinces commemorate him on the traditional Eastern feast day of 27 January. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also recognizes John Chrysostom as a saint (with feast days on 16 Thout and 17 Hathor).
John is known in Christianity chiefly as a preacher, theologian and liturgist. Among his homilies, eight directed against Judaizing Christians remain controversial for their impact on the development of Christian antisemitism.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 31, 2020
Read this in one setting. Beautiful.
November 16, 2024
When the world tries to define love, and the world collapses under that definition, it's time for the world to get back to the truth of love; this book does just that, the truth about love. Check this out.
June 22, 2020
Such a great and helpful commentary on the Love chapter found in the Bible (1 Cor. 13).
September 14, 2017
A description of what a true Christian love ought to be
Excellent book. A must read. It speaks of what true
christian love really is. This is pretty much st. John Chrysostom commentary on 1Cor 13, which can probably freely found on any patristics site or any site that has commentaries of St. John Chrysostom.
Excellent book. A must read. It speaks of what true
christian love really is. This is pretty much st. John Chrysostom commentary on 1Cor 13, which can probably freely found on any patristics site or any site that has commentaries of St. John Chrysostom.
March 19, 2011
The Love Chapter, by St. John Chrysostom *****
“The Love Chapter” is a collection of sermons written and delivered by St. John Chrysostom, the 4th century Archbishop of Constantinople. Together, these sermons constitute a profound verse-by-verse exegesis of one of the most famous chapters of Scripture written by St. Paul: I Corinthians 13.
In this short chapter St. Paul describes the nature of Agape, the selfless, other-centered love of the Christian for his neighbor. It is easy to read and gives every appearance of being self-explanatory. It is so well known in the Church that it is easy to take it for granted and gloss over it to look for more challenging bits of Scripture. It might even be tempting to think that we have mastered it and that St. Paul is describing our love for others. Through his patient exegesis, St. John carefully unpacks each phrase, forcing the reader to slow down and examine the meaning of the text more thoroughly. In so doing, I discovered how impossible is the task of loving as Paul describes it, and was reminded how desperately in need of God’s grace I am, even as I try to do something as simple as loving another human being. I highly recommend “The Love Chapter.”
“The Love Chapter” is a collection of sermons written and delivered by St. John Chrysostom, the 4th century Archbishop of Constantinople. Together, these sermons constitute a profound verse-by-verse exegesis of one of the most famous chapters of Scripture written by St. Paul: I Corinthians 13.
In this short chapter St. Paul describes the nature of Agape, the selfless, other-centered love of the Christian for his neighbor. It is easy to read and gives every appearance of being self-explanatory. It is so well known in the Church that it is easy to take it for granted and gloss over it to look for more challenging bits of Scripture. It might even be tempting to think that we have mastered it and that St. Paul is describing our love for others. Through his patient exegesis, St. John carefully unpacks each phrase, forcing the reader to slow down and examine the meaning of the text more thoroughly. In so doing, I discovered how impossible is the task of loving as Paul describes it, and was reminded how desperately in need of God’s grace I am, even as I try to do something as simple as loving another human being. I highly recommend “The Love Chapter.”
July 25, 2016
Chrysostom unpacks 1 Corinthians 13 verse by verse, in a deep discussion of a passage we often think we know better than we do. He loses me a little in his very last chapter (his theology on men and women, and family, seems a product of his time and place), but not enough to put me off the entire work.
February 2, 2021
Outstanding explanation of St Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13 by St John Chrysostom. Amazing that St John Chrysostom, born during the Byzantine Empire in 347 AD, could write with such straightforwardness about Christ and His teachings, and in a way that speaks to mind and heart even today in 2021! I am so glad I took the time to read this book and highly recommend it!
October 14, 2022
John "Golden Mouth" certainly earns his nickname. His reflections on Corinthians 13 are beautifully written. Reviewing this more than two years after reading makes it hard to recall my immediate takeaways, but I don't remember being wildly impressed. Maybe because Corinthians 13 already feels so widely read and referenced. I should give some of his other works a read.
Medium Recommend to the Christian interested in Patristics.
Medium Recommend to the Christian interested in Patristics.
April 3, 2025
Love to the point where you don't feel shame! That was the whole idea I got from the book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews