1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Verse 10 Read Chapter 13 Verse 12

Ambrosiaster

AD 400

In this life we are children, compared with what we shall become in the next life. For everything in this life is imperfect, including knowledge. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.

< 1 min1/10

Go to Commentary

Basil the Great

AD 379

“When I was a child”—that is, fresh from committing to memory the first elements of the divine Word—“I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But now that I have become a man”—that is, and am hastening to attain the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ—“I have put away the things of a child.” .

< 1 min2/10

Go to Commentary

Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

He is not referring to the growing stature that comes with age, nor to any definite period of time, nor even to any secret teaching reserved only for mature adults, when he claims that he left and put away all childishness. Rather he means to say that those who live by the law are childish in the sense that they are subject to fear, like children afraid of ghosts, while those who are obedient to the Word and are completely free are in his opinion mature. .

< 1 min3/10

Go to Commentary

Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

This is a figure of speech for the way Paul lived under the law, when he persecuted the Word and was still senseless and childish, blaspheming God. .

< 1 min4/10

Go to Commentary

Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

And the expression, "When I was a child, I thought as a child, I spoke as a child". "When I became a man "again Paul says, "I put away childish things."

< 1 min5/10

Go to Commentary

Cornelius a Lapide

AD 1637

When I was a child, that Isaiah , one who is now beginning to say, think, plan, attempt, study, play, and do anything, as our children are wont to do. I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. I understood as a child, or felt as a child; for children have not Wisdom of Solomon , but feeling. In other words, when a child I thought, and understood, and felt as a child, but when I became a man I thought and understood as a man does. Song of Solomon , when that which is perfect is come, i.e, perfect wisdom in heaven, partial and imperfect knowledge, as we have it in this life, shall fail; so that we who here are boys in knowledge are to be men in heaven. S. Paul leaves the remaining part of the likeness to be supplied from the verse before.

1 min6/10

Go to Commentary

George Leo Haydock

AD 1849

When I was a child. I, like you, formerly judged of the goodness and excellency of these spiritual gifts by the advantages the procured; but after the Almighty had bestowed upon me his particular light, my opinion was far otherwise. Prophecy, and the gifts of languages are certainly very estimable gifts, yet charity is much more excellent. (Calmet) It is by charity we approach near to God, that we become his true image. Can we, then, wonder at the magnificent praises, glorious prerogatives, and surprising effects St. Paul gives to this all necessary virtue?

< 1 min7/10

Go to Commentary

John Chrysostom

AD 407

Here Paul points out just how great the difference is between what we know now and what we shall know in the future.

< 1 min8/10

Go to Commentary

John Chrysostom

AD 407

And by another example too he manifests the same thing again.

< 1 min9/10

Go to Commentary

Tertullian of Carthage

AD 220

"When I was a child "he says, "as a child I spake, as a child I understood; but when I became a man, those (things) which had been the child's I abandoned: "

< 1 min10/10

Go to Commentary