Neville Goddard on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read 1 Corinthians 13 in context

Scripture Focus

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.

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.

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.

4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8Charity 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.

9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

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.

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.

13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Biblical Context

Without charity, even the most astonishing gifts profit nothing. Charity endures and reveals truth, guiding faith, hope, and action.

Neville's Inner Vision

Paul’s words invite you to inspect the inner state behind every gift. Tongues, prophecy, and mountain-moving faith are not separate powers to wield but outward signs of a single inner disposition: charity, the living I AM. If your consciousness remains self-centered, these outward gifts vanish into vanity. But when you consent to be charity—to align your imagination and feeling with the truth that God is within you as the I AM—each gift finds its rightful place. Charity is not mere kindness; it is the creative atmosphere in which truth and love can breathe. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things because the heart of God is never apart from your awareness. When the perfect comes, your complete alignment with love, partial knowledge and partial prophecy fade, yet charity remains. Through a glass darkly you now see distinctions; when you awaken to face-to-face consciousness, you know as you are known. So the ultimate miracle is not change in the world but change in the consciousness that witnesses it.

Practice This Now

Assume the feeling that you are charity now. Close your eyes, declare I am charity and I AM, and let the heart expand; let your daily acts reflect that inner state rather than self-interest.