Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church to define the nature of love that must govern all spiritual gifts and sacrifices. He positions this definition between a warning that deeds without love yield nothing and a list of love's negative boundaries.
The words — μακροθυμεῖ (makrothumei) literally means "is patient" or "long-tempered," and χρηστεύεται (chrēsteuetai) means "acts kindly." ζηλοῖ (zēloi) translates directly to "is envious."
The thread — The text's command to be kind parallels Ephesians 4:32, while its prohibition of envy matches Galatians 5:21, which lists envy among the works of the flesh. Peter similarly ties deep love to covering sins in 1 Peter 4:8.
Why it lands — The verse defines love through specific actions and restraints rather than abstract emotion. It requires the reader to practice forbearance, active kindness, and restraint from envy, boasting, and pride in daily conduct.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
- Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
- Galatians 5:21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
- Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
- Proverbs 17:9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
- James 3:14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
- 1 John 3:16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
- 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.