
Text -- 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Robertson: 1Co 13:4 - -- 1Co 13:4-7 picture the character or conduct of love in marvellous rhapsody.
@@Suffereth long ( makrothumei ).
Late Koiné[28928]š word (Plutarch)...
1Co 13:4-7 picture the character or conduct of love in marvellous rhapsody.
@@Suffereth long (
Late Koiné[28928]š word (Plutarch) from

Robertson: 1Co 13:4 - -- Is kind ( chrēsteuetai ).
From chrēstos (useful, gracious, kind) and that from chraomai , to use. Not found elsewhere save in Clement of Rome a...
Is kind (
From

Robertson: 1Co 13:4 - -- Envieth not ( ou zēloi ).
Present active indicative of zēloō (contraction oeîoi , same as subjunctive and optative forms). Bad sense of ze...
Envieth not (
Present active indicative of

Robertson: 1Co 13:4 - -- Vaunteth not itself ( ou perpereuetai ).
From perperos , vainglorious, braggart (Polybius, Epictetus) like Latin perperus . Only here in N.T. and ea...
Vaunteth not itself (
From

Robertson: 1Co 13:4 - -- Is not puffed up ( ou phusioutai ).
Present direct middle indicative of phusioō from phusis (late form for phusaō , phusiaō from phusa ,...
Is not puffed up (
Present direct middle indicative of
Suffereth long (
See on Jam 5:7.

Vincent: 1Co 13:4 - -- Is kind ( χρηστεύεται )
Only here in the New Testament. See on χρηστὸς , A.V., easy , Mat 11:30, and see on χρηστό...

Vincent: 1Co 13:4 - -- Vaunteth ( περπερεύεται )
From πέρπερος a braggart . Used of one who sounds his own praises. Cicero introduces a compo...
Vaunteth (
From

Vincent: 1Co 13:4 - -- Puffed up ( φυσιοῦται )
See on 1Co 4:6, and compare 1Co 8:1. Of inward disposition, as the previous word denotes outward display. The ...
Wesley: 1Co 13:4 - -- The love of God, and of our neighbour for God's sake, is patient toward, all men. It, suffers all the weakness, ignorance, errors, and infirmities of ...
The love of God, and of our neighbour for God's sake, is patient toward, all men. It, suffers all the weakness, ignorance, errors, and infirmities of the children of God; all the malice and wickedness of the children of the world: and all this, not only for a time, but to the end. And in every step toward overcoming evil with good, it is kind, soft, mild, benign. It inspires the sufferer at once with the most amiable sweetness, and the most fervent and tender affection.

Wesley: 1Co 13:4 - -- Does not hastily condemn any one; never passes a severe sentence on a slight or sudden view of things. Nor does it ever act or behave in a violent, he...
Does not hastily condemn any one; never passes a severe sentence on a slight or sudden view of things. Nor does it ever act or behave in a violent, headstrong, or precipitate manner.
Under provocations of evil from others. The negative side of love.

JFB: 1Co 13:4 - -- The positive side. Extending good to others. Compare with love's features here those of the "wisdom from above" (Jam 3:17).
The positive side. Extending good to others. Compare with love's features here those of the "wisdom from above" (Jam 3:17).

JFB: 1Co 13:4 - -- In words, even of gifts which it really possesses; an indirect rebuke of those at Corinth who used the gift of tongues for mere display.
In words, even of gifts which it really possesses; an indirect rebuke of those at Corinth who used the gift of tongues for mere display.
Clarke: 1Co 13:4 - -- Charity suffereth long - Μακροθυμει, Has a long mind; to the end of which neither trials, adversities, persecutions, nor provocations, can...
Charity suffereth long -
(2.
Is kind -
(3.

Clarke: 1Co 13:4 - -- Charity envieth not - Ου ζηλοι· Is not grieved because another possesses a greater portion of earthly, intellectual, or spiritual blessings...
Charity envieth not -
Those who have this pure love rejoice as much at the happiness, the honor, and comfort of others, as they can do in their own. They are ever willing that others should be preferred before them
(4.
Charity vaunteth not itself -
(5.

Clarke: 1Co 13:4 - -- Is not puffed up - Ου φυσιουται· Is not inflated with a sense of its own importance; for it knows it has nothing but what it has receiv...
Is not puffed up -
True humility arises from a sense of the fullness of God in the soul; abasement from a sense of corruption is a widely different thing; but this has been put in the place of humility, and even called grace; many, very many, verify the saying of the poet: -
"Proud I am my wants to see
Proud of my humility."
Calvin -> 1Co 13:4
Calvin: 1Co 13:4 - -- 4.Love is patient He now commends love from its effects or fruits, though at the same time these eulogiums are not intended merely for its commenda...
4.Love is patient He now commends love from its effects or fruits, though at the same time these eulogiums are not intended merely for its commendation, but to make the Corinthians understand what are its offices, and what is its nature. The object, however, mainly in view, is to show how necessary it is for preserving the unity of the Church. I have also no doubt that he designed indirectly to reprove the Corinthians, by setting before them a contrast, in which they might recognize, by way of contraries, their own vices.
The first commendation of love is this — that, by patient endurance of many things, it promotes peace and harmony in the Church. Near akin to this is the second excellence — gentleness and lenity, for such is the meaning of the verb
What I have rendered — does not act insolently — is in the Greek
Defender -> 1Co 13:4
Defender: 1Co 13:4 - -- Note that "charity" (or agape "love," if preferred) is defined by verbs rather than adjectives - by what it does, instead of what it is."
Note that "charity" (or
TSK -> 1Co 13:4
TSK: 1Co 13:4 - -- suffereth : Pro 10:12; 2Co 6:6; Gal 5:22; Eph 4:2; Col 1:11, Col 3:12; 2Ti 2:25, 2Ti 3:10; 2Ti 4:2; Jam 3:17; 1Pe 4:8
is kind : Neh 9:17; Pro 19:22, P...
suffereth : Pro 10:12; 2Co 6:6; Gal 5:22; Eph 4:2; Col 1:11, Col 3:12; 2Ti 2:25, 2Ti 3:10; 2Ti 4:2; Jam 3:17; 1Pe 4:8
is kind : Neh 9:17; Pro 19:22, Pro 31:20,Pro 31:26; Luk 6:35, Luk 6:36; Eph 4:32; Col 3:12; 1Pe 3:8; 2Pe 1:7; 1Jo 3:16-18, 1Jo 4:11
envieth : 1Co 3:3; Gen 30:1, Gen 37:11; Mat 27:18; Rom 1:29, Rom 13:13; 2Co 12:20; Gal 5:21, Gal 5:26; Phi 1:15; 1Ti 6:4; Tit 3:3; Jam 3:14-16, Jam 4:5; 1Pe 2:1
vaunteth not itself : or, is not rash, 1Sa 25:21, 1Sa 25:22, 1Sa 25:33, 1Sa 25:34; 1Ki 20:10,1Ki 20:11; Psa 10:5; Pro 13:10, Pro 17:14, Pro 25:8-10; Ecc 7:8, Ecc 7:9, Ecc 10:4; Dan 3:19-22
is not : 1Co 4:6, 1Co 4:18, 1Co 5:2, 1Co 8:1; Col 2:18; Phi 2:1-5

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> 1Co 13:4
Barnes: 1Co 13:4 - -- Charity suffereth long - Paul now proceeds to illustrate the "nature"of love, or to show how it is exemplified. His illustrations are all drawn...
Charity suffereth long - Paul now proceeds to illustrate the "nature"of love, or to show how it is exemplified. His illustrations are all drawn from its effect in regulating our conduct toward others, or our contact with them. The "reason"why he made use of this illustration, rather than its nature as evinced toward "God,"was, probably, because it was especially necessary for them to understand in what way it should be manifested toward each other. There were contentions and strifes among them; there were of course suspicions, and jealousies, and heart-burnings; there would be unkind judging, the imputation of improper motives, and selfishness; there were envy, and pride, and boasting, all of which were inconsistent with love; and Paul therefore evidently designed to correct these evils, and to produce a different state of things by showing them what would be produced by the exercise of love. The word used here
And is kind - The word used here denotes to be good-natured, gentle, tender, affectionate. Love is benignant. It wishes well. It is not harsh, sour, morose, ill-natured. Tyndale renders it, "is courteous."The idea is, that under all provocations and ill-usage it is gentle and mild. "Hatred"prompts to harshness, severity, unkindness of expression, anger, and a desire of revenge. But love is the reverse of all these. A man who truly loves another will be kind to him, desirous of doing him good; will be "gentle,"not severe and harsh; will be "courteous"because he desires his happiness, and would not pain his feelings. And as religion is love, and prompts to love, so it follows that it requires courtesy or true politeness, and will secure it; see 1Pe 3:8. If all people were under the influence of true religion, they would always be truly polite and courteous; for true politeness is nothing more than an expression of benignity, or a desire to promote the happiness of all around us.
Envieth not -
Of course, it may be excited by anything in which another excels, or in which he is more favored than we are. It may be excited by superior wealth, beauty, learning, accomplishment, reputation, success. It may extend to any employment, or any rank in life. A man may be envied because he is happy while we are miserable; well, while we are sick; caressed, while we are neglected or overlooked; successful, while we meet with disappointment; handsome, while we are ill-formed; honored with office, while we are overlooked. He may be envied because he has a better farm than we have, or is a more skillful mechanic, or a more successful physician, lawyer, or clergyman. "Envy commonly lies in the same line of business, occupation, or rank."We do not, usually envy a monarch, a conqueror, or a nobleman, unless we are "aspiring"to the same rank. The farmer does not usually envy the blacksmith, but another farmer; the blacksmith does not usually envy the schoolmaster, or the lawyer, but another man in the same line of business with himself.
The physician envies another physician more learned or more successful; the lawyer envies another lawyer; the clergyman is jealous of another clergyman. The fashionable female who seeks admiration or flattery on account of accomplishment or beauty envies another who is more distinguished and more successful in those things. And so the poet envies a rival poet and the orator, a rival orator; and the statesman, a rival statesman. The correction of all these things is "love."If we loved others; if we rejoiced in their happiness, we should not envy them. "They are not to blame"for these superior endowments; but if those endowments are the direct gift of God, we should he thankful that he has made others happy; if they are the fruit of their own industry, and virtue, and skill and application, we should esteem them the more, and value them the more highly. They have not injured us; and we should not be unhappy, or seek to injure them, because God has blessed them, or because they have been more industrious, virtuous, and successful than we have.
Every person should have his own level in society, and we should rejoice in the happiness of all - Love will produce another effect. We should not "envy"them, because he that is under the influence of Christian love is more happy than those in the world who are usually the objects of envy. There is often much wretchedness under a clothing "of purple and fine linen."There is not always happiness in a splendid mansion; in the caresses of the great; in a post of honor; in a palace, or on a throne. Alexander the Great wept on the throne of the world. Happiness is in the heart; and contentment, and the love of God, and the hope of heaven produce happiness which rank, and wealth, and fashion, and earthly honor cannot purchase. And could the sad and heavy hearts of those in elevated ranks of life be always seen; and especially could their end be seen, there would be no occasion or disposition to envy them.
Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I,
To mourn, and murmur, and repine,
To see the wicked placed on high,
In pride and robes of honour shine!
But oh! their end, their dreadful end!
Thy sanctuary taught me so;
On slipp’ ry rocks I see them stand,
And fiery billows roll below.
Now let them boast how tall they are,
I’ ll never envy them again;
There they may stand with haughty eyes,
Till they plunge deep in endless pain.
Their fancied joys how fast they flee,
Like dreams as fleeting and as vain;
Their songs of softest harmony.
Are but a prelude to their pain,
Now I esteem their mirth and wine.
Too dear to purchase with my blood;
Lord, ‘ tis enough that thou art mine,
My life, my portion, and my God.
Vaunteth not itself - (
Is not puffed up - (
Poole -> 1Co 13:4
Poole: 1Co 13:4 - -- Lest the Corinthians should say to the apostle: What is this love you discourse of? Or how shall we know if we have it? The apostle here gives thirt...
Lest the Corinthians should say to the apostle: What is this love you discourse of? Or how shall we know if we have it? The apostle here gives thirteen notes of a charitable person.
Charity suffereth long: by love or charity he either meaneth a charitable person, a soul possessed of that love, which he had been commending; or if we take the term plainly, to signify the habit itself, the meaning is, it is a habit or power in the soul, enabling and inclining it to do these things: to suffer long, not to be too quick and tetchy with brethren that may offend or displease us; the charitable man will withhold and restrain his wrath, not be rash in the expressions of it, and hasty to revenge.
And is kind it disposeth a man to desire to deserve well of all, and to do good to all, as he hath occasion and opportunity; so as it is impossible there should be in a man any thing more opposite to this grace, than a currish, churlish temper, with a study and desire to do others mischief.
Charity envieth not though a charitable person seeth others in a higher and more prosperous condition than himself, yet it doth not trouble him, but he is glad at the preferment, good, and prosperity of other men, however it fareth with himself. Every envious man, that is displeased and angry at another’ s faring well, is an uncharitable man, there is no true root of love to God or to his neighbour in his heart.
Vaunteth not itself he doth not prefer himself before others, ambitiously glorytug or boasting, and acting rashly to promote his own glory, and satisfy his own intemperate desires or lusts. He
is not puffed up proudly lifting up himself above others, and swelling with high conceits of himself.
Haydock -> 1Co 13:4
Haydock: 1Co 13:4 - -- Charity....dealeth not perversely. [1] The Greek word here seems taken from the Latin. St. John Chrysostom expounds it, is not rash, but acteth prud...
Charity....dealeth not perversely. [1] The Greek word here seems taken from the Latin. St. John Chrysostom expounds it, is not rash, but acteth prudently and considerately. Others, it is not light or inconstant. Others, it braggeth, or vaunteth not, as in the Protestant translation. (Witham)
===============================
[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
Non agit perperam, Greek: ou perpereuetai. St. John Chrysostom says, Greek: toutesti ou propeteuetai, non est præceps, aut temeraria.
Gill -> 1Co 13:4
Gill: 1Co 13:4 - -- Charity suffereth long,.... The apostle, in this and some following verses, enumerates the several properties and characters of the grace of love; and...
Charity suffereth long,.... The apostle, in this and some following verses, enumerates the several properties and characters of the grace of love; and all along represents it as if it was a person, and no doubt designs one who is possessed of it, and in whose heart it is implanted and reigns; such an one is said to "suffer long", or be "patient", as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read; not only under afflictions by the hand of God, which such an one considers as arising from love; but under the reproaches and persecutions of men, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel, and in imitation of him; such a person is slow to anger when abused, not quick of resentment, nor hasty to revenge when affronted; but exercises forbearance, suffers long, and bears much, and is ready to forgive:
and is kind; liberal, and bountiful, does good to all men, even to enemies, and especially to the household of faith; he is gentle to all men, affable and courteous to his brethren, and not morose, churlish, and ill natured; he is easy and yielding to the tempers and humours of men; accommodates himself to their infirmities, capacities, manners, and circumstances, in everything he can, that is not contrary to the glory of God, the interest of Christ, the honour of religion, his own con science, and the good of men;
charity envieth not; or he that has the grace of love to God, Christ, and the saints, does not envy the temporal happiness of others, though it is what he has not, or is greater than he enjoys; as Rachel envied her sister, because she had children when she herself had none; as Joseph's brethren envied him because he had a greater share in his father's affections than they had; or as good men may be tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked, when they themselves are in adversity; but this grace, when in exercise, will not suffer a person to do: nor will such an one envy the superior measures of grace, the more excellent spiritual gifts, or the greater degree of usefulness, and of success in any spiritual undertaking, and so of greater honour and respect, in any of the saints and servants of Christ to themselves, of which Moses and John the Baptist are remarkable instances, Num 11:28,
charity vaunteth not itself, is not ostentatious, a proud boaster; either of what he has, the things of nature, as wisdom, riches, honour, strength, &c. or spiritual gifts; or of what he does, since what such an one does, he does from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God, and not to be seen of men, or to gain their esteem and applause: or is not rash, and precipitant; does not run headlong into measures, to promote his own honour and interest, without considering what will be the consequence of things; nor is he rash with his mouth, or hasty with his lips, to utter anything unbecoming before God or men. The Arabic version renders it, "does not speak deceitfully"; or hypocritically, for nothing is more contrary to true genuine love than this; the Syriac version renders it, "is not tumultuous"; noisy and seditious: such an one is not troublesome in a commonwealth, nor does he go into parties and factions in churches, but is all the reverse:
is not puffed up swelled with pride, and elated with a vain conceit of himself, of his parts and abilities, of his learning, eloquence, wisdom, and knowledge, as the false teachers in this church were; knowledge without grace, unsanctified knowledge, mere notional speculative knowledge, puffeth up; but charity, or the grace of love, does not; that edifies and preserves persons from being puffed up with themselves, or one against another.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 1Co 13:1-13
TSK Synopsis: 1Co 13:1-13 - --1 All gifts,3 how excellent soever, are nothing worth without charity.4 The praises thereof,13 and prelation before hope and faith.
MHCC -> 1Co 13:4-7
MHCC: 1Co 13:4-7 - --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...
Matthew Henry -> 1Co 13:4-7
Matthew Henry: 1Co 13:4-7 - -- The apostle gives us in these verses some of the properties and effects of charity, both to describe and commend it, that we may know whether we hav...
Barclay -> 1Co 13:4-7
Barclay: 1Co 13:4-7 - --In 1Co 13:4-7Paul lists fifteen characteristics of Christian love.
Love is patient. The Greek word (makrothumein, 3114) used in the New Testament al...
Constable: 1Co 7:1--16:13 - --III. Questions asked of Paul 7:1--16:12
The remainder of the body of this epistle deals with questions the Corin...

Constable: 1Co 12:1--14:40 - --E. Spiritual gifts and spiritual people chs. 12-14
Paul had been dealing with matters related to worship...

Constable: 1Co 13:1-13 - --3. The supremacy of love ch. 13
Paul now proceeded to elaborate on the fact that love surpasses ...
