John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity , etc.] Neither in his own, nor in others; but on the contrary is grieved for it; he mourns over his own iniquities, the corruption of his heart, the infirmities of his life, his secret sins, which none know but God and his own soul; he is greatly troubled at the profaneness and immorality of the men of the world, and the sins of professors cut him to the heart: nor does he rejoice in injustice, as the word used here may be rendered, in any unjust action or injury, that may be done to any, yea, even to an enemy; even as Christ, when Peter, in great zeal for him, drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the high priests servants, who was more busy than the rest in apprehending Christ, and showed more malignancy than others, was so far from rejoicing at it, that he was displeased with Peter for doing it, and was moved with so much compassion to that man, though his enemy, as to heal him: but rejoiceth in the truth; in the truth of the Gospel, and the success of it; such an one can do nothing against it, but for it, will buy it at any rate, but sell it upon no account whatever; and he rejoices greatly when he sees any walking in it, and agreeably to it; for truth, as it stands opposed to iniquity or unrighteousness, may signify an upright, holy, and righteous conversation, a conversation becoming the Gospel of Christ, which that teaches, and by which it is adorned; now a gracious soul desires this in itself, and delights to see it in others.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-7 - Some of the effects of charity are stated, that we may know whether we have this grace; and that if we have not, we may not rest till we have it. This love is a clear proof of regeneration, and is a touchstone of our professed faith in Christ. In this beautiful description of the nature and effects of love, it is meant to show the Corinthians tha their conduct had, in many respects, been a contrast to it. Charity is an utter enemy to selfishness; it does not desire or seek its ow praise, or honour, or profit, or pleasure. Not that charity destroy all regard to ourselves, or that the charitable man should neglec himself and all his interests. But charity never seeks its own to the hurt of others, or to neglect others. It ever prefers the welfare of others to its private advantage. How good-natured and amiable in Christian charity! How excellent would Christianity appear to the world, if those who profess it were more under this Divine principle and paid due regard to the command on which its blessed Author laid the chief stress! Let us ask whether this Divine love dwells in our hearts Has this principle guided us into becoming behaviour to all men? Are we willing to lay aside selfish objects and aims? Here is a call to watchfulness, diligence, and prayer.
Greek Textus Receptus
ου 3756 PRT-N χαιρει 5463 5719 V-PAI-3S επι 1909 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF αδικια 93 N-DSF συγχαιρει 4796 5719 V-PAI-2S δε 1161 CONJ τη 3588 T-DSF αληθεια 225 N-DSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
6. Rejoiceth in the truth (sugcairei th alhqeia). Rev., correctly, rejoiceth with. Truth is personified as love is. Compare Psalm lxxxv. 10.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
13:6 {Rejoiceth not in unrighteousness} (ou cairei). See #Ro 1:32 for this depth of degradation. There are people as low as that whose real joy is in the triumph of evil. {But rejoiceth with the truth} (suncairei de tei aleqeiai). Associative instrumental case after sun- in composition. Truth personified as opposed to unrighteousness (#2Th 2:12; Ro 2:8). Love is on the side of the angels. Paul returns here to the positive side of the picture (verse #4) after the remarkable negatives.
