1 Corinthians 13:4–8, 13 — The Greatest of These Is Charity

Why families choose it

At a funeral this passage stops being an ideal and becomes a portrait: the congregation hears ‘suffereth long, and is kind’, ‘seeketh not her own’, and silently sets each clause against the person — and finds it fits, or the family would not have chosen it. The King James ‘charity’ does a quiet service here, loosening the words from their wedding associations so they can be heard fresh. Chosen again and again for a mother or a wife, when the truest account of a life is how it loved.

Reading it aloud

Verses four to seven are a list, and lists tempt a reader to hurry; keep an even pace and let each clause stand on its own feet. There is a deliberate gap before the final verse — the reading skips ahead — so honour it with a full stop of silence and a fresh breath. The last line is the point of the whole chapter: say ‘charity’ plainly, without swelling, and stop.

In the programme, list it in the order of service as “Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, 13” with the reader’s name beside it. The full text is public domain and may be printed on the life-story or back page.