1 Corinthians 13:4

Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

'suffereth long' -'is patient' (NASV) Lit., 'long-tempered'.

Comments:

1. 'Chrysostom said that it is the word which is used of the man who is wronged and who has it easily in his power to avenge himself and yet will not do it. It describes the man who is slow to anger.' (Barclay p. 133)

Unfortunately, many people define patience as "I can't do anything about it, i.e.,. am powerless to change the situation,. guess. must endure it." That is not the patience of the Bible. God expects us to restrain ourselves, even when the "ideal" opportunity for revenge presents itself. (Romans 12:19)

2. 'Patient towards injurious or provoking persons' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 899)

3. 'It is that self-restraint which does not hastily retaliate. wrong; it endures injuries and evil deeds without being provoked to anger or revenge.' (Willis p. 454)

4. Those Corinthians engaged in lawsuits (1 Corinthians 6:1-8); and the tongue-speakers and prophets who couldn't seem to wait for their turn (1 Corinthians 14:27-30), needed to hear this.

5. Love is patient with people! (1 Thessalonians 5:14) Love is also patient with the scruples of new converts. Love has the time to allow another's conscience to become more correctly educated. (1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 1 Corinthians 10:1)

6. Love doesn't need "ideal" surroundings to flourish or exist in. To Paul love can grow, love must be exercised by members who find themselves in. church torn by strife, envy, worldliness, pride, etc...As faulty as the church in Corinth was, no member there was excused by God to act in an ungodly manner. Those that gave up, even in these undesirable circumstances, still ended up lost. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

'is kind' -'one who renders gracious, well-disposed service to others.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 899) 'Gentle in behavior' (Robertson p. 177) 'Useful, helpful, friendly' (Lenski p. 555)

Comments:

1. 'Love is not caustic or sharp-tongued.' (Willis p. 455)

2. Exercising patience makes some people resentful, bitter, cynical and angry. Despite all that will happen to you in life, all the let downs, disappointments, etc..If you have love, you can avoid the misery caused when one becomes "soured" with imperfect people.

'envieth not' -'is not jealous' (NASV) 'Love is neither jealous nor envious (both ideas)' (Robertson p. 178)

Comments:

1. They were envious of the spiritual gifts that others possessed. (1 Corinthians 12:15-19)

2. 'Love never detracts from the praise that is due another nor tries to make him seem less and self seem more by comparison..Instead of being envious love is satisfied with its own portion and glad of another's greater portion.' (Lenski p. 556)

3. Moses (Numbers 2:26) and John the Baptist (John 3:26), were both free from envy.

4. 'And if at any time it is being outstripped by competitors, it harbors no irritation, feels no distress. it recognizes no jealousy when. rival receives the prize and praise.' (Fee p. 134)

5. What misery we bring upon ourselves, due to the fact that we can neither enjoy or accept our station in life. Even Christians find themselves caught up in the "grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" syndrome. When we envy others, we can't enjoy our own lives, nor can we really appreciate what God has given to us. Love refuses to live someone else's life. Love is content with the life, talents, opportunities and abilities available to it. Love makes good use of what comes its way. Sound appealing? Sound liberating and refreshing?

'vaunteth not itself' -'love does not brag' (NASV) 'Used of one who sounds his own praises.' (Vincent p. 264) 'It means to play the braggart' (Robertson p. 178) 'Humble not boastful; unostentatious, not anxious to display superior gifts or to attract unmerited admiration.' (Erdman p. 134) 'the emphasis is on boasting which wounds others, causes unrest and discord..' (Willis p. 455) 'is neither anxious to impress.' (Phi); 'love makes no parade.' (Mof)

'Behind boastful bragging there lies conceit, an overestimation of one's own importance, abilities, or achievements' (Lenski p. 556)

'It suggests self-centered actions in which there is an inordinate desire to call attention to oneself.' (Fee p. 637)

Some of the Corinthians were desiring to "show off" their gifts, they wanted the spotlight, and to be the focal point of attention. Rather than using their gift for the good of the congregation.

'is not puffed up' -'is not arrogant' (NASV) We have encountered this word before in this letter. (1 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 5:2; 1 Corinthians 8:1) 'nor conceited' (NEB)

'Napoleon always advocated the sanctity of the home and the obligation of public worship--for others. Of himself he said, "I am not. man like other men. The laws of morality do not apply to me." (Barclay p. 134)

In this letter we have found that such pride can lead to moral blindness. The Corinthians, who considered themselves such "wise and gifted individuals", were tolerating and overlooking much that was unholy and ungodly. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; 1 Corinthians 5:1ff; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34)