1 Corinthians 13

puffed up
The phrase “puffed up” is a literal translation of the Greek term φυσιόω (phusioō). It is also the consistent gloss for the term throughout this translation (cf. 1 Cor 4:6; 18, 19; 8:1; 13:4; Col 2:18). The consistency in 1 Corinthians helps readers to discern both Paul’s development of this theme and the emptiness of this kind of arrogance, for it is not based on anything real. Paul’s opponents are not truly strong, only “puffed up” in their thinking. This is why Paul says that when he comes to visit them, he will find out not their words, but their true power, or lack thereof (4:19). In the immediate context, Paul is describing true and false fruits of love. He says that genuine, authentic love is not manifested when the one who should be doing the loving is puffed up and exalts him or herself. Rather, love does not seek its own (v. 5) but, as Christ models for the world, love seeks the good of others and humbly magnifies God.

perfect
Much debate exists over the meaning of “perfect” here and even whether this is the best translation of the Greek term τέλειος (teleios). The translation in this verse is particularly difficult because of the famous nature of this chapter of Scripture, as any translational changes could seem contentious. This is where footnotes become a very helpful translational tool. Arguably, a better translation for τέλειος (teleios) here is “mature,” since Paul seems always to intend the idea of maturity or completion rather than perfection in his uses of this term, both in this epistle and throughout the New Testament (cf. 1 Cor 2:6; Eph 4:13; Phil 3:15; Col 4:12). Thus, as the footnote on this term points out, a fully legitimate and perhaps better translation here is “mature,” which leads into Paul’s analogy of a child become a mature man in verse 11. This indicates that the miraculous gifts like prophecy, tongues, and knowledge were intended only for the fledgling church, but maturity would usher them away as no longer necessary. The footnote on the term in this verse thus helps to point this out to the reader, teacher, or pastor without changing the translational text of a very familiar and famous verse.

abide
The word “abide” is placed here near the beginning of the sentence to better reflect the word order in Greek (νυνὶ δὲ μένει πίστις, ἐλπίς, ἀγάπη; nyni de menei pistis, elpis, agapē). Placing the main verb toward the beginning of the sentence places greater emphasis on it, as Paul is rounding out his argument for preeminence of love here by concluding with the emphatic exhortation to abide in it.