1 Corinthians 13:4-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Love and our fellow men. In this panegyric of charity, we find, I. LOVE IS LONG SUFFERING AS OPPOSED TO IMPATIENCE . There is no possibility of mixing with human society without encountering many occasions of irritation. Human nature is such that conflicts of disposition and of habits will and must occur. It is so in the family, in civil life, and even in the Church. Hence impatience and irritability are among the most common of infirmities. And there is no more sure... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Love and self abnegation. Where there is sincere Christian love, that grace will not only affect for good the intercourse of human society, it will exercise a most powerful and beneficial influence over the nature of which it takes possession; changing pride into humility, and selfishness into self denial. And this is not to be wondered at by him who considers that for the Christian the spiritual centre of gravity is changed—is no longer self, but Christ. I. LOVE DESTROYS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The attributes of love. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The nature and operation of love. The negative view having been presented, the apostle considers the mature and operations of this love, And one characteristic of it, he puts in the foreground of its excellences. It can suffer. A virtue that cannot suffer is hardly a virtue at all. Certainly it is not a virtue that can lay the least claim to divineness. Wedded love, parental love, philanthropic and patriotic love, have to undergo a discipline of pain and sorrow even to symbolize the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Some characteristics of love. The apostle gives a very beautiful description of some of the qualities of love. True love is— I. PATIENT AND UNCOMPLAINING . It: 1. "Suffereth long," under provocation and injury. 2. "Is not easily provoked." Is not irritable—not allied to anger. 3. "Beareth all things." Is willing to bear burdens that others may be free. Rather hides than advertises injuries received. Does not revenge. 4. "Endureth all things." Neglect and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

The immortality of love. "Charity never faileth," etc. Amongst the many things which Paul predicates in this chapter concerning "charity," or love, is its permanence. I. It will "never fail" as an ELEMENT OF MORAL POWER . Love is the strongest force in the soul. 1. It is the strongest sustaining power. Our present state is one of trial and sorrow. Burdens press on all, in all grades of society. Godly love is the best sustaining power under all. All Divine promises are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

The grace of charity. When we speak of charity ( ἀγάπη ) it is in the sense attached to the word in the New Testament. We do not speak of promiscuous and impulsive almsgiving, in which there is often but the veriest morsel of charity, and which, in our condition of society, is almost an unmitigated evil, tending as it does to the maintenance of an indigent and pauperized class. We do not speak of that kind of natural affection ( ἔρος ) which binds men together with the ties of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:5

Doth not behave itself unseemly (see 1 Corinthians 12:23 ; 1 Corinthians 14:40 ). Vulgar indecorum is alien from love, as having its root in selfishness and want of sympathy. "Noble manners" are ever the fruit of "noble minds." "Be courteous" ( 1 Peter 3:8 ). Seeketh not her own. Self seeking is the root of All evil ( 1 Corinthians 10:24 , 1 Corinthians 10:33 ; Philippians 2:4 ; Romans 15:1 , Romans 15:2 ). Is not easily provoked. The word "easily" is here a gloss. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 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 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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:5

Doth not behave itself unseemly - (οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ ouk aschēmonei). This word occurs in 1 Corinthians 7:36. See the note on that verse. It means to conduct improperly, or disgracefully, or in a manner to deserve reproach. Love seeks that which is proper or becoming in the circumstances and relations of life in which we are placed. It prompts to the due respect for superiors, producing veneration and respect for their opinions; and it prompts to a proper regard for inferiors, not despising... read more

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