1 Corinthians 13:4

Authorized King James Version

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Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Original Language Analysis

Ἡ G3588
Ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπη Charity G26
ἀγάπη Charity
Strong's: G26
Word #: 2 of 14
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
μακροθυμεῖ suffereth long G3114
μακροθυμεῖ suffereth long
Strong's: G3114
Word #: 3 of 14
to be long-spirited, i.e., (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient
χρηστεύεται and is kind G5541
χρηστεύεται and is kind
Strong's: G5541
Word #: 4 of 14
to show oneself useful, i.e., act benevolently
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπη Charity G26
ἀγάπη Charity
Strong's: G26
Word #: 6 of 14
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
οὐ not G3756
οὐ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 7 of 14
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ζηλοῖ envieth G2206
ζηλοῖ envieth
Strong's: G2206
Word #: 8 of 14
to have warmth of feeling for or against
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπη Charity G26
ἀγάπη Charity
Strong's: G26
Word #: 10 of 14
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
οὐ not G3756
οὐ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 11 of 14
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
περπερεύεται not itself G4068
περπερεύεται not itself
Strong's: G4068
Word #: 12 of 14
perhaps by reduplication of the base of g4008); to boast
οὐ not G3756
οὐ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 13 of 14
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
φυσιοῦται is G5448
φυσιοῦται is
Strong's: G5448
Word #: 14 of 14
to inflate, i.e., (figuratively) make proud (haughty)

Analysis & Commentary

Charity suffereth long (ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, hē agapē makrothymei)—Paul begins defining love's positive qualities. Makrothymeō means "long-tempered" (literally "long passion"), the opposite of quick-tempered. It's patience under provocation, enduring difficult people without retaliation. God's own makrothymia delays judgment to allow repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).

And is kind (χρηστεύεται, chrēsteuetai)—Chrēsteuomai appears only here in the NT, meaning actively benevolent, showing practical goodness. Love doesn't merely refrain from harm (patience) but actively does good (kindness). These two qualities form love's foundational posture: enduring and generous.

Charity envieth not (οὐ ζηλοῖ, ou zēloi)—Zēloō can mean healthy zeal or sinful jealousy; context determines meaning. Here, negative: love doesn't envy others' gifts, possessions, or status. This directly confronts Corinthian jealousy over spiritual gifts (3:3; 12:31).

Charity vaunteth not itself (οὐ περπερεύεται, ou perpereuetai)—This rare verb (appears only here in biblical Greek) means boastful self-display or bragging. Love doesn't parade achievements or seek recognition.

Is not puffed up (οὐ φυσιοῦται, ou physioutai)—Physioō is Paul's favorite term for arrogance in 1 Corinthians (4:6, 18, 19; 5:2; 8:1). Literally "inflated," it describes pride that puffs up with self-importance. Love deflates ego.

Historical Context

The Corinthian church was rife with competition: factions boasting of teachers (1:12; 3:21; 4:6), arrogance over knowledge (8:1), divisions at the Lord's Supper (11:17-22), and jealousy over gifts (12:14-26). Greco-Roman society rewarded self-promotion and honor-seeking. Against this, Paul presents love as patient, kind, humble, and non-competitive—radically countercultural in ancient Corinth and modern Western culture.

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