If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.
3. And if I should expend all my possessions. "Et si ie distribue tous mes biens;” — “And if I should distribute all my goods.” This, it is true, is worthy of the highest praise, if considered in itself; but as liberality in many cases proceeds from ambition — not from true generosity, or even the man that is liberal is destitute of the other...
Here the apostle shows what more excellent way he meant, or had in view, in the close of the former chapter, namely, charity, or, as it is commonly elsewhere rendered, love - agapē: not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, which most men understand of alms - giving, but love in its fullest and most extensive meaning, true love...
Commenting on 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Verse 3. And though I bestow. The Greek word here used (ψωμιζω), from ψαω, to break off) meant, properly, to break off, and distribute in small portions; to feed by morsels; and may be applicable here to distributing one's property in small portions. Charity, or alms to the poor, was usually distributed at one's gate, (,) or in some public place.