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1 Corinthians 13:4
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2 And though I have the gift of aprophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, bso that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
3 And athough I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body1 to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  
4 aLove suffers long and is bkind; love cdoes not envy; love does not parade itself, is not1 puffed up;  
5 does not behave rudely, adoes not seek its own, is not provoked,1 thinks no evil;  
6 adoes not rejoice in iniquity, but brejoices in the truth;  
7 abears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
9 aFor we know in part and we prophesy in part.  
10 But when that which is1 perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.  
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For anow we see in a mirror, dimly, but then bface to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.  
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?
<< 1 Corinthians 13:3   1 Corinthians 13:5 >>

What Does 1 Corinthians 13:4 Mean?

Paul defines love positively with only two traits: longsuffering and kindness. Longsuffering (makrothumeo), the passive side, is self-restraint under provocation that does not retaliate—"long-tempered" rather than short-tempered. It describes God, who suffers long with us, granting time to repent. David exemplified it, enduring Saul's persecution graciously. Longsuffering is commanded, not optional, as a fruit of the Spirit, requiring us to bear with and forgive one another. Kindness, the active side, is goodness—a heart predisposed to help at the slightest hint of need. David showed kindness to Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake. Kindness characterizes God and should characterize us; failing to show it is disobedience. Love does not envy, jealously grieving over others' blessings, nor parade itself, boast, or become puffed up with pride.




1 Corinthians 13:4

Paul tells the saints in Colosse that he prays they will possess the trait that is the opposite of wrath or revenge. He speaks of having an even temper, an attitude that in spite of injury or insult does not retaliate. We can develop longsuffering only as a fruit of the Spirit, not as an independent character trait. It grows from the common root of love and bears fruit only along with other spiritual fruit.

Martin G. Collins
Longsuffering



1 Corinthians 13:4-7

In the New Testament, the most common Greek word for self-control (temperance, KJV) is enkrateia. Its root meaning is "power over oneself" or "self-mastery." Self-control, in its widest sense, is mastery over our passions. It is the virtue that holds our appetites in check, controlling our rational will or regulating our conduct without being duly swayed by sensuous desires. Moderation is a key element in self-control.

Martin G. Collins
Self-Control




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing 1 Corinthians 13:4:

Matthew 7:1-2
1 Corinthians 13:4
Galatians 5:22
Galatians 5:22
Galatians 5:22
Revelation 2:4-5


 
<< 1 Corinthians 13:3   1 Corinthians 13:5 >>

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