1 Corinthians 13:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Complete Jewish Bible:

Love is patient and kind, not jealous, not boastful,

Berean Standard Bible:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

American Standard Version:

Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Charity^{G26} suffereth long^{G3114}, and is kind^{G5541}; charity^{G26} envieth^{G2206} not^{G3756}; charity^{G26} vaunteth^{G4068} not^{G3756} itself^{G4068}, is^{G5448} not^{G3756} puffed up^{G5448},

Cross-References (KJV):

1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Galatians 5:21

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Colossians 3:12

¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Proverbs 10:12

¶ Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

1 John 4:11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 13:4

1 Corinthians 13:4 is a verse from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece, around AD 53-54. This verse is part of a larger passage known as the "Love Chapter," which is often read at weddings to emphasize the importance of love in marriage. However, in its original context, Paul was addressing the whole church, not just married couples, and was emphasizing the preeminence of love (translated as "charity" in the King James Version) in the life of a Christian and the Christian community.

The themes of 1 Corinthians 13:4 revolve around the characteristics and actions of love. Paul describes love as patient and kind, suggesting that love is enduring and benevolent. He contrasts love with jealousy and boastfulness, indicating that love does not harbor resentment over others' successes or possessions and does not seek to elevate itself above others. The verse also touches on the humility inherent in love, as it is not "puffed up" or arrogant.

In the historical context, the Corinthian church was known for its factionalism and moral laxity. Paul's letter, and this verse in particular, serves as a corrective to these issues, highlighting that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts and achievements are empty. The verse emphasizes that love is the greatest virtue and the foundation of all Christian ethics and practice. It calls believers to embody these qualities of love in their interactions with one another, reflecting the selfless love demonstrated by Christ Himself.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G26
There are 727 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγάπη
Transliteration: agápē
Pronunciation: ag-ah'-pay
Description: from ἀγαπάω; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.
Strong's Number: G3114
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μακροθυμέω
Transliteration: makrothyméō
Pronunciation: mak-roth-oo-meh'-o
Description: from the same as μακροθυμώς; to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient:--bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure.
Strong's Number: G5541
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χρηστεύομαι
Transliteration: chrēsteúomai
Pronunciation: khraste-yoo'-om-ahee
Description: middle voice from χρηστός; to show oneself useful, i.e. act benevolently:--be kind.
Strong's Number: G2206
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ζηλόω
Transliteration: zēlóō
Pronunciation: dzay-lo'-o
Description: from ζῆλος; to have warmth of feeling for or against:--affect, covet (earnestly), (have) desire, (move with) envy, be jealous over, (be) zealous(-ly affect).
Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
Strong's Number: G4068
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: περπερεύομαι
Transliteration: perpereúomai
Pronunciation: per-per-yoo'-om-ahee
Description: middle voice from (braggart; perhaps by reduplication of the base of πέραν); to boast:--vaunt itself.
Strong's Number: G5448
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φυσιόω
Transliteration: physióō
Pronunciation: foo-see-o'-o
Description: from φύσις in the primary sense of blowing; to inflate, i.e. (figuratively) make proud (haughty):--puff up.

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