New King James Version
1 Corinthians 13:4
4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
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 Living Translation (NLT)Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
Context of 1 Corinthians 13:4
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in 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 10:12Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
- 2 Corinthians 6:6by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
- Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Ephesians 4:2with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
- Colossians 1:11strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
- Colossians 3:12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
- 2 Timothy 2:25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
- 2 Timothy 3:10But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
- 2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
- James 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
- 1 Peter 4:8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
- Nehemiah 9:17They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.
- Proverbs 19:22What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.
- Proverbs 31:20She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
- Luke 6:35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
- Ephesians 4:32And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries