Qualities of a Godly Husband in 1 Corinthians 13
First Corinthians 13, often called the "love chapter," describes the qualities and preeminence of love (ἀγάπη, agapē) [4, 6]. While the chapter does not directly address husbands, its comprehensive description of love provides a foundational understanding of the qualities expected of any godly individual, including a husband. The apostle Paul emphasizes that love is superior to all spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, and even faith and benevolent deeds [5].
Paul begins by stating that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are meaningless. Speaking in tongues without love makes one a "noisy gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1, ESV). Prophecy, understanding mysteries, and possessing all knowledge are nothing without love (1 Corinthians 13:2, ESV). Even acts of extreme self-sacrifice, such as giving away all one's possessions or surrendering one's body to be burned, profit nothing if done without love (1 Corinthians 13:3, ESV).
The chapter then describes the characteristics of love: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, ESV). These attributes are essential for a godly husband. For instance, a husband is called to love his wife [3], and this love should manifest in patience, kindness, and a lack of envy or arrogance. The instruction for husbands to "render to his wife the affection owed her" (1 Corinthians 7:3, ESV) aligns with the self-giving nature of agapē [1].
Furthermore, Paul highlights the enduring nature of love, stating that prophecies will cease, tongues will be stilled, and knowledge will pass away, but love "never ends" (1 Corinthians 13:8, ESV). This permanence underscores love's ultimate value, making it a quality that a husband should cultivate steadfastly [2]. The chapter concludes by contrasting the partial knowledge of the present with the complete understanding that will come, affirming that "faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13, ESV). This implies that a godly husband's actions and character should be consistently rooted in this supreme virtue.
Sources
- 1 Corinthians “Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. -- 1 Corinthians 7:3”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Husbands — Should have but one wife -- Ge 2:24; Mr 10:6-8; 1Co 7:2-4. Have authority over their wives -- Ge 3:16; 1Co 11:3; Eph 5:23. Duty of, to wives To respect them. -- 1Pe 3:7. To love them. -- Eph 5:25-33; Col 3:19. To regard them as themselves. -- Ge 2:23; Mt 19:5. To be faithful to them. -- Pr 5:19; Mal 2:14,15. To dwell with them for life. -- Ge 2:24; Mt 19:3-9. To comfort them. -- 1Sa 1:8. To consult with them. -- Ge 31:4-7. Not to leave them, though unbelieving. -- 1Co 7:11,12,14,16. Duties of, not to interfere with their duties to Christ -- Lu 14:26; Mt 19”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 13 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 13 This chapter is taken up in the commendation of the grace of charity, or love, which is preferred to all gifts whatsoever; is described by its properties and effects, and particularly its duration; on which account it is represented as more excellent than other principal graces. The apostle prefers it to gifts, by which it appears to be the more excellent way, he speaks of in the latter part of the preceding chapter: he begins with the gift of tongues, which without charity makes a man noisy, but not spiritual, Co”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 13 (introduction): CHARITY OR LOVE SUPERIOR TO ALL GIFTS. (Co1 13:1-13) tongues--from these he ascends to "prophecy" (Co1 13:2); then, to "faith"; then to benevolent and self-sacrificing deeds: a climax. He does not except even himself, and so passes from addressing them ("unto you," Co1 12:31) to putting the case in his own person, "Though I," &c. speak with the tongues--with the eloquence which was so much admired at Corinth (for example, Apollos, Act 18:24; compare Co1 1:12; Co1 3:21-22), and with the command of various languages, which some at ”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 13 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle goes on to show more particularly what that more excellent way was of which he had just before been speaking. He recommends it, I. By showing the necessity and importance of it (Co1 13:1-3). II. By giving a description of its properties and fruits (Co1 13:4-7). III. By showing how much it excels the best of gifts and other graces, by its continuance, when they shall be no longer in being, or of any use (Co1 13:8 to the end).”