1 Corinthians 13:5

Authorized King James Version

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Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Original Language Analysis

οὐ no G3756
οὐ no
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 1 of 12
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἀσχημονεῖ Doth G807
ἀσχημονεῖ Doth
Strong's: G807
Word #: 2 of 12
to be (i.e., act) unbecoming
οὐ no G3756
οὐ no
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 3 of 12
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ζητεῖ seeketh G2212
ζητεῖ seeketh
Strong's: G2212
Word #: 4 of 12
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτῆς her own G1438
ἑαυτῆς her own
Strong's: G1438
Word #: 6 of 12
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
οὐ no G3756
οὐ no
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 7 of 12
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
παροξύνεται easily provoked G3947
παροξύνεται easily provoked
Strong's: G3947
Word #: 8 of 12
to sharpen alongside, i.e., (figuratively) to exasperate
οὐ no G3756
οὐ no
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 9 of 12
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
λογίζεται thinketh G3049
λογίζεται thinketh
Strong's: G3049
Word #: 10 of 12
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κακόν evil G2556
κακόν evil
Strong's: G2556
Word #: 12 of 12
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious

Analysis & Commentary

Doth not behave itself unseemly (οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ, ouk aschēmonei)—Aschēmoneō means to act dishonorably, rudely, or indecently (cf. 7:36). Love respects propriety and others' dignity, refusing to shame or disgrace. This contrasts with the Corinthians' shameful behavior at the Lord's Supper (11:20-22) and chaotic worship (14:23, 40).

Seeketh not her own (οὐ ζητεῖ τὰ ἑαυτῆς, ou zētei ta heautēs)—Love is fundamentally other-centered, the opposite of selfish ambition. Paul models this (10:24, 33) and commands it (Philippians 2:4). Christ supremely embodied it (Philippians 2:5-8). This demolishes Corinthian factionalism, litigation (6:1-8), and selfish use of Christian liberty (8:9-13).

Is not easily provoked (οὐ παροξύνεται, ou paroxunetai)—Literally "not sharpened" or irritated. The same verb describes Paul's spirit being "provoked" by Athenian idolatry (Acts 17:16) and the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:39). Love maintains composure under irritation, refusing to be baited into anger.

Thinketh no evil (οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν, ou logizetai to kakon)—Logizomai is an accounting term meaning "to reckon, calculate, keep records." Love doesn't keep a mental ledger of wrongs for future use in arguments or revenge. This is the opposite of nursing grievances. As God doesn't count our sins against us when we're in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19), so love forgives and forgets.

Historical Context

Ancient Mediterranean culture was built on honor-shame dynamics and reciprocity—keeping careful accounts of slights, favors, and debts. Legal disputes (6:1-8), factions (1:10-13), and competition over status (4:8-13) all reflect this cultural obsession with personal rights and vindication. Paul's call to not 'think evil' (keep accounts) is a radical departure from both Greco-Roman and Jewish honor culture.

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