1 Corinthians 13:5

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 13:5

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

1 Corinthians 13:4-5. Love suffereth long Here the apostle attributes to love the qualities and actions of a person, in order to render his account of that divine grace the more lively and affecting. 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; and 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... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Love is greater than the gifts (13:1-13)The Corinthians were impressed with people who exercised the more spectacular gifts. Paul reminds them that no matter what gifts they have - tongues, prophecy, wisdom, knowledge, faith - if they lack love they are not merely unimportant, they are nothing (13:1-2). People may be so generous with their goods and money that in the end they themselves become poor. They may be so faithful to their duty that they sacrifice their lives. But without love they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 13:5

Doth . . . behave, &c . Greek. aschemoneo. Only here and 1 Corinthians 7:36 . is . . . easily provoked = is . . . roused to anger. Greek. paroxunomai Only here and Acts 17:16 . There is no word for "easily". The statement is absolute. thinketh no evil = reckons not (Greek. ou) the evil done to it). evil . App-128 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:5

Does not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.The true meaning of all of these qualities is seen in their opposites as cited by Hodge (under 1 Corinthians 13:4).Seeketh not its own ... Barclay rendered this "Love does not insist upon its rights."[14] He also stated that "It would be the key to almost... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:5

1 Corinthians 13:5. Doth not behave itself unseemly— This is the sixth character, and implies that love is not rude, or willingly offensive to any. It renders to all their due; fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour; courtesy, civility, humanity, to all the world, in their several degrees honouring all men. Good breeding, nay, the highest degree of it, politeness, is defined to be "a continual desire to please, appearing in all the behaviour;" If so, there is none so well-bred as the... read more

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