1 Cor 13:3-8
13:3 A: If I used all my possessions to feed (the poor).
In principle, no
limits were imposed on benefaction. “The following things have no (legal)
measure: the edges of a field (which are meant for the poor), the first fruits,
festal pilgrimages (and the sacrifices to be brought for them), works of love
and study of the Torah” (m. Peʾah 1.1). Nevertheless, in order to avert the
impoverishment of the benefactor, certain norms had been established that
prevented giving all one’s possessions for beneficent purposes; see a little on
this at § Luke 18:12 B, #3, and in detail in the excursus “Ancient Jewish
Private Charity.”
13:3 B: And if I hand over my body to be
burned.
παραδιδόναι = מָסַר. See examples at § John 10:11
B and § Acts 15:26. — The purpose of this handing over is to sanctify the
divine name; see § Matt 6:9 C, notes n
and o; b. Ber. 20A at § John 9:16 B.
— On burning, see Num. Rab. 2 (137D) and b. Pesaḥ. 53B at § Matt 6:9 C, n. o; b. Sanh. 92B at § Matt 6:9 C, n. a.
13:3 C: But if I do not have love, I gain
nothing.
Babylonian Talmud
Sukkah 49B: R. Eleazar (ca. 270) said, “Alms צדקה will be repaid only according
to the measure of love חסד
that is contained in them; as it says, ‘Sow for alms and harvest according to
the measure of love’ (Hos 10:12).”
13:5 A: It does not seek its own.
See § 1 Cor
10:24. ‖ Deuteronomy Rabbah 11 (206D): R. Isaac (ca. 300) said, “If an ignorant
man הֶדְיוֹט
speaks to another, it will harm him. And Moses said, ‘Why, O Yahweh, should
your wrath burn against your people?’ (Exod 32:11). But his heart was pure
within him; for he did not seek what he himself did not need, but rather what
the Israelites needed.” ‖ Midrash Psalm 2 § 2 (13A): R. Isaac (ca. 300) said,
“If a person says to another, ‘Why are you doing such and such?,’ the other one
gets angry. But the righteous say to God, ‘Why?,’ and he does not get angry and
they will not be punished. And why will they not be punished? Because they seek
good not for themselves שלא
ביקשו טובה לעצמן, but rather for Israel’s
sake.”
13:5 B: It does not reckon evil.
Here belongs also
bearing a grudge for wrong experienced; see SLev 19:18 at § Matt 5:22, C.
13:7: It covers everything (see § 1 Pet 4:8 [see below]).
13:8 A: Love never falls away (never ceases).
Mishnah ʾAbot
5.16: Any love that depends on something, if the thing ceases בָּטֵל, so too the love ceases וּבְטֵלָה אַהֲבָה.
But a love that does not depend on something never ceases אֵינָה בְּטֵלָה לְעוֹלָם. What is a love that depends
on something? This is the love of Amnon and Tamar (cf. 2 Sam 13). And one that
does not depend on something? This is the love of David and Jonathan.
13:8 B: But whatever prophecies there may be, they will be done away
with.
See y. Meg.
1.70D.51; Pesiq. 79A; b. Nid. 61B at § Matt 5:18 B, #1, under discussion about
noneternal portions of the writings more broadly called the Torah. (Hermann L. Strack and Paul Billerbeck, A Commentary on
the New Testament from the Talmud & Midrash, 3 vols. [trans. Joseph
Longarino; Bellingham, Wash.: Lexham Press, 2021], 3:521-22)
1 Pet 4:8
4:8: Love covers a multitude of sins.
Proverbs 10:12:
“Love covers תְּכַסָּה אַהֲבָה all
misdeeds”; the targum replaces the Hebrew for “love covers” with מְכַסָּא רַהֲמוּתָא. —
Proverbs 10:12 is rarely cited in rabbinic literature. Midrash Psalm 1 § 18
(9A): R. Hiyya (ca. 280) said, “As the waters cover the nakedness of the sea,
as it says, ‘Like the waters that cover the sea’ (Isa 11:9), so the words of
the Torah cover the nakedness of Israel, for it says, ‘Love covers all
misdeeds’ (Prov 10:12)” (here, following Buber on the passage, “love” = “Torah”
on the basis of Prov 5:19). ‖ Leviticus Rabbah 7 (109D): “Hate arouses
disputes” (Prov 10:12). The hate that the Israelites brought forth between
themselves and their Father in heaven (by the golden calf) aroused many
judgments for them.… Yet “love covers all misdeeds” (Prov 10:12), for God loved
the Israelites; as it says, “I have loved you, says Yahweh” (Mal 1:2). A
different explanation. “Hate arouses disputes.” The hate that Aaron called
forth between the Israelites and their Father in heaven (by the golden calf)
aroused many judgments for them.… Yet “love covers all misdeeds,” that is, the
prayer that Moses prayed for him (Aaron).… ‖ Rashi explains Prov 10:12B as
follows: “If people adapt their works well, God covers their misdeeds.” (Ibid.,
3:892–893)
