1 Corinthians 13:5 - Exposition

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 corresponding substantive ( paroxusmos, whence our "paroxysm") is used of the sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas ( Acts 15:39 ). Love, when it is perfected, rises superior to all temptations to growing exasperated, although it may often be justly indignant. But, as St. Chrysostom says, "As a spark which falls into the sea hurts not the sea, but is itself extinguished, so an evil thing befalling a loving soul will be extinguished without disquietude." Thinketh no evil; literally, doth not reckon (or, impute ) the evil. The phrase seems to be a very comprehensive one, implying that love is neither suspicious, nor implacable, nor retentive in her memory of evil done. Love writes our personal wrongs in ashes or in water.