God’s Word Translation
1 Corinthians 13:4
4Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant.
1 Corinthians 13:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
- New International Version (NIV)Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
- New King James Version (NKJV)Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
Context of 1 Corinthians 13:4
2I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don’t have love, I am nothing. 3I may even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don’t have love, none of these things will help me. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. 5It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. 6It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 131 Corinthians 13:4 word by word
Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται, ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ, ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 13:4
- Proverbs 10:12Hate starts quarrels, but love covers every wrong.
- 2 Corinthians 6:6⌞People can see⌟ our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit’s presence ⌞in our lives⌟, our sincere love,
- Galatians 5:22But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Ephesians 4:2Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other.
- Colossians 1:11We ask him to strengthen you by his glorious might with all the power you need to patiently endure everything with joy.
- Colossians 3:12As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.
- 2 Timothy 2:25He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth.
- 2 Timothy 3:10But you know all about my teachings, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.
- 2 Timothy 4:2Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach.
- James 3:17However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.
- 1 Peter 4:8Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins.
- Nehemiah 9:17They refused to listen. They forgot the miracles you performed for them. They became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to slavery ⌞in Egypt⌟. But you are a forgiving God, one who is compassionate, merciful, patient, and always ready to forgive. You never abandoned them,
- Proverbs 19:22Loyalty is desirable in a person, and it is better to be poor than a liar.
- Proverbs 31:20She opens her hands to oppressed people and stretches them out to needy people.
- Luke 6:35Rather, love your enemies, help them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward. You will be the children of the Most High God. After all, he is kind to unthankful and evil people.
- Ephesians 4:32Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 13:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4(1.) Charity suffereth long - , Has a long mind; to the end of which neither trials, adversities, persecutions, nor provocations, can reach. The love of God, and of our neighbor for God's sake, is patient towards all men: it suffers all the weakness, ignorance, errors, and infirmities of the children of God; and all the malice and wickedness of the children of this world; and all this, not merely for a time, but long, without end; for it is still a mind…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Charity suffereth long - Paul now proceeds to illustrate the “nature” of love, or to show how it is exemplified. His illustrations are all drawn from its effect in regulating our conduct toward others, or our contact with them. The “reason” why he made use of this illustration, rather than its nature as evinced toward “God,” was, probably, because it was especially necessary for them to understand in what way it should be manifested toward each other…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-7Verses 4-7 Some of the effects of charity are stated, that we may know whether we have this grace; and that if we have not, we may not rest till we have it. This love is a clear proof of regeneration, and is a touchstone of our professed faith in Christ. In this beautiful description of the nature and effects of love, it is meant to show the Corinthians that their conduct had, in many respects, been a contrast to it. Charity is an utter enemy to…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-7This description of Christian love highlights the readiness to sacrifice personal desires for the benefit of others (see also 8:1–10:33; Romans 5:6–8; 15:3; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:4–8).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. suffereth long--under provocations of evil from others. The negative side of love. is kind--the positive side. Extending good to others. Compare with love's features here those of the "wisdom from above" (Jas 3:17). envieth--The Greek includes also jealousy. vaunteth not--in words, even of gifts which it really possesses; an indirect rebuke of those at Corinth who used the gift of tongues for mere display. not puffed up--with party zeal, as some at…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 13:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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