1 Corinthians 13:4
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Word-by-Word Analysis
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Analysis
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Paul begins his poetic description of love with two positive qualities followed by four negative ones. The Greek word agape (ἀγάπη), translated "charity" in the KJV, represents divine love characterized by self-sacrificial commitment rather than emotional feeling or romantic attraction.
"Suffereth long" (makrothymei, μακροθυμεῖ) literally means "long-tempered" or "slow to anger," describing patience with people rather than circumstances. This patience isn't passive endurance but active forbearance that continues loving despite provocation. "Is kind" (chresteuetai, χρηστεύεται) appears only here in the New Testament, emphasizing active benevolence that seeks others' welfare.
The four negatives reveal what love never does: it doesn't envy (ou zeloi), doesn't boast (ou perpereuetai), doesn't act arrogantly (ou physioutai), and doesn't behave inappropriately. These contrasts address specific problems Paul observed in Corinth: jealousy over spiritual gifts, boasting about wisdom or status, and prideful behavior that disrupted fellowship.
Historical Context
The Corinthian church was deeply divided by issues of status, spiritual gifts, and personal preferences. Wealthy members looked down on poorer believers, different factions claimed superiority based on their favorite teachers (Paul, Apollos, Cephas), and some boasted about having more impressive spiritual gifts like tongues or prophecy.
First-century Corinth was a cosmopolitan commercial center where social status, rhetorical skill, and impressive displays of wisdom or power determined social standing. The Roman patronage system created obvious hierarchies, and Greek philosophical schools competed for intellectual supremacy. Into this context, Paul introduces a radically different value system based on self-sacrificial love rather than self-promotion.
Paul's description of love directly challenges Corinthian culture: instead of self-assertion, love seeks others' good; instead of competing for honor, love rejoices in others' success; instead of demanding rights, love willingly suffers inconvenience for others' benefit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's definition of love challenge modern cultural understandings of love as primarily emotional or romantic?
- Which of these characteristics of love do you find most challenging to practice consistently, and why?
- How might the church today address conflicts and divisions by applying these principles of love?
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