1 Corinthians 13:4 - Exposition

Suffereth long, and is kind. Passively it endures; actively it does good. It endures evils; it confers blessings. Envieth not. Its negative characteristics are part of its positive perfection. Envy—"one shape of many names"—includes malice, grudge, jealousy, pique, an evil eye, etc., with all their base and numerous manifestations. Vaunteth not itself. The meaning would probably be most nearly expressed by the colloquialism, does not show off. It does not, for instance, "do its alms before men to be seen of them" ( Matthew 6:1 ). The Latin perperus , which is from the same root as this word, means "a braggart," or "swaggerer." Cicero, speaking of a grand oratorical display of his own before Pompey, says to Atticus, "Good heavens! how I showed myself off ( ἐνεπερπερευσάμην ) before my new hearer, Pompeius!" ('Ad. Art.,' 1 Corinthians 1:14 ). Is not puffed up. Has no purse proud or inflated arrogance." Love, therefore, is free from the characteristic vice of the Corinthian Church ( 1 Corinthians 4:6 , 1 Corinthians 4:18 , 1 Corinthians 4:19 ; 1 Corinthians 5:2 ; 1 Corinthians 8:1 ).