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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

1 Corinthians 13:5

That is, charity, or true love to our neighbour, will restrain us from all uncomely deportment towards him; it will not suffer us to do an ill or indecent thing to any one; it breaks not forth into violent and ungovernable passions upon any provocations, how just soever, how great soever.

Seeketh not her own; that is, her own praise, profit, or pleasure; it seeketh it not inordinately, it seeketh it not injuriously, either in the neglect of others, or to the hurt of others. Charity is not selfish, but generous.

It is not easily provoked; that is, charity is not provoked readily to think, speak, or act, unduly, by small injuries or occasions; but beareth, forbeareth, and forgiveth.

Thinketh no evil; that is, of any person groundlessly, but construes and interprets every thing in the best sense; for lightly to take up an evil report of our neighbour, to think or suspect, much more to believe and report, any evil of him, without sufficient evidence against him, is. violation of the law of charity.

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See also 1 Corinthians 13:5 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    1 CORINTHIANS 13:5 avschmonei/ {A} Instead of avschmonei/, the scribe of î46 unaccountably wrote euvschmonei/ (“[does not] behave with decorum”!)....

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 1 Corinthians 13:5. (6.) _DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY_] ουκ ασχημονει, from α, _negative_, and σχημα, _figure, mein_; love never acts out of its place or character; observes due decorum and...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY - (οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ ouk aschēmonei). This word occurs in 1 Corinthians 7:36. See the note on that verse. It means to conduct improperly, or disgracefully, or in a mann...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    3. THE NEED AND SUPERIORITY OF LOVE. CHAPTER 13 __ 1. The Preeminence of Love. (1 Corinthians 13:1 .) 2. Love described in its characteristics. (1 Corinthians 13:4 .) 3. Love never faileth; its Pe...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    1 CORINTHIANS 13. ALL GIFTS AND SACRIFICES ARE WORTHLESS WITHOUT LOVE, WHICH IS SUPREME AND INCOMPARABLE. The chapter falls into three divisions: (_a)_ superlative gifts and costliest surrenders are v...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE HYMN OF LOVE (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) 13 I may speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but if I have not love, I am become no better than echoing brass or a clanging cymbal. I may have the gi...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    DOTH... BEHAVE, &C. Greek. _aschemoneo._ Only here and 1 Corinthians 7:36. IS... EASILY PROVOKED. is... roused to anger. Greek. _paroxunomai_ Only here and Acts 17:16. There is no word for "easily"....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    1 Corinthians 12:31 Ch. 1 Corinthians 13:13. The Excellencies of Love _and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way_ Literally, AND FURTHERMORE I SHEW YOU AN EMINENTLY EXCELLENT WAY, i.e. the way of l...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _doth not behave itself unseemly_ The Vulgate renders unseemly by _ambitiosa_; Erasmus by _fastidiosa_; Wiclif by _coveitous; doth not frawardly_, Tyndale. But see note on ch. 1 Corinthians 12:23, whe...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    1 Corinthians 12:31 to 1 Corinthians 13:13. THE EXCELLENCIES OF LOVE ΚΑῚ ἜΤΙ ΚΑΘ' ὙΠΕΡΒΟΛῊΝ ὉΔῸΝ ὙΜΙ͂Ν ΔΕΊΚΝΥΜΙ. AND MOREOVER I SHEW YOU A WAY OF SUPERLATIVE EXCELLENCE. This, St Paul would have us un...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THE DESCRIPTION OF LOVE 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8:_ These verses provide a brief description of love in action. God approaches love from both a negative and a positive point of view. "Love is kind and pat...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΆΣΧΗΜΟΝΕΊ _praes. ind. act. от_ ΆΣΧΗΜΟΝΈΩ (G57) вести себя неприлично или позорно. Любовь тактична и не делает ничего, что могло бы устыдить (RP). ΖΗΤΕΊ _praes. ind. act. от_ ΖΗΤΈΩ (G2212) искать. _P...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 1986 A DESCRIPTION OF CHARITY 1 Corinthians 13:4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, s...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY— This is the sixth character, and implies that love is not _rude,_ or willingly offensive to any. It renders _to all their due; fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 2 Giftlessness With Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 5it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own wa...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY - in not uncourteous. THINKETH NO EVIL - imputeth not (Romans 4:8; Hebre...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    13 The body of Jesus, or of the Lord, denotes His physical frame. The body of Christ, however, is quite a distinct thought. Christ, or the Anointed, is a title rather than a name. It suggests official...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    SEEKETH NOT HER OWN] i.e. her own advantage (1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Corinthians 10:33). THINKETH NO EVIL] RV 'taketh not account of evil'; does not reckon up her grievances....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    The character and actions of Love. 4. Vaunteth not itself] does not make a display. PUFFED UP] i.e. conceited....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    _(e) Spiritual Gifts (ii) The most excellent Gift of Charity_ In this chapter we enter into the purest atmosphere and breathe the most fragrant odours. Passing from the previous Chapter s with their t...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    SERVANTS OF CHRIST 1 CORINTHIANS _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 13 LOVE 13:1-13 1. THE ABSENCE OF LOVE 13:1-3 V1 Suppose that I speak in the languages of people and *angels. If I have no love, I am onl...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    THINKETH NO EVIL. — That is, does not dwell upon the evil done to her....

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 19 NO GIFT LIKE LOVE THIS is one of the passages of Scripture which an expositor scruples to touch. Some of the bloom and delicacy of surface passes from the flower in the very handling whic...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Paul's utterance began to rise with the elevation of his theme into the Hebraic rhythm (observe the recurrent ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, and the repeated οὐδέν) which marks his more imp...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    § 43. THE QUALITIES OF CHRISTIAN LOVE. The previous vv. have justified the καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν of 1 Corinthians 12:31. The loftiest human faculties of man are seen to be frustrate without love; by its aid...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE ONE ESSENTIAL FOR ALL 1 Corinthians 13:1 With what wonder his amanuensis must have looked up, as the Apostle broke into this exquisite sonnet on love! His radiant spirit had caught a glimpse of t...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The apostle dealt with love, its values (verses 1Co 13:1-3), its virtues (verses 1Co 13:4-7), and its victory (verses 1Co 13:8-13). The values of love are discovered in the fact that, apart from it, a...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    The Nature of Love Love will cause one to endure wrong for a long time as Christ did (1 Peter 2:23). Love is good to all. Love is not jealous over another's good fortune, nor does it seek to impress o...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Doth (e) not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (e) It is not insolent, or reproachful....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Is not ambitious; [2] which is also the sense of some Greek copies, but in others, and in St. John Chrysostom, it signifies, it is not ashamed of any one. (Witham)_ [BIBLIOGRAPHY] Non est ambitiosa...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    II. THE WAY PAR EXCELLENCE. CHAP. 13. This chapter has been called a hymn. In tone indeed it is truly lyrical, especially in the first verses. Charity is poetically personified. In this respect the pa...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    The following picture is not drawn at random, and, so to speak, at the good pleasure of the author. It is as closely connected with the state of his readers as the foregoing passage. It is a mirror in...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    As usual, the introductory words (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) of the epistle give us no little intimation of that which is to follow. The apostle speaks of himself as such "called [to be] an apostle of Jesus...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _CHRISTIAN LOVE_ ‘Charity suffereth long … endureth all things.’ 1 Corinthians 13:4 It is indeed the occasion of astonishment that in the face of this chapter theology should ever have imagined tha...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _GOOD MANNERS_ ‘Doth not behave itself unseemly.’ 1 Corinthians 13:5 William of Wykeham’s motto, ‘Manners makyth man,’ covered the sphere of man’s conduct in general, still manners, i.e. external b...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    5._Doth not behave itself unseemly _Erasmus renders it _“Is not disdainful;” _but as he quotes no author in support of this interpretation, I have preferred to retain its proper and usual significatio...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Nevertheless there was something more excellent than all gifts. They were the manifestations of the power of God and of the mysteries of His wisdom; love, that of His nature itself. They might speak w...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY,.... By using either unbecoming words, or doing indecent actions; for a man unprincipled with this grace will be careful that no filthy and corrupt communication procee...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Ver. 5. _Behave itself unseemly_] οισχημονει, or, doth not disgrace any one. _ Is not easily provoked_...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Love suffereth long_ Here the apostle attributes to love the qualities and actions of a person, in order to render his account of that divine grace the more lively and affecting. The love of God, and...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    SEEKETH NOT HER OWN; as the chief end; is not selfish, but benevolent. THINKETH NO EVIL; is not disposed to impute to others evil designs....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    A description of true love:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY, SEEKETH NOT HER OWN, IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED, THINKETH NO EVIL;...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Verses 1 Timothy 3 of this chapter show the necessity of love; verses 4 to 7 the characteristics of love; and verses 8 to 13 its permanence. And in the first section, verse I deals with what I speak;...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY, SEEKETH NOT ITS OWN, IS NOT PROVOKED, TAKETH NOT ACCOUNT OF EVIL; 'doth not behave itself unseemly' -'does not act unbecomingly' (NASV); 'is never rude' (Mof); 'It i...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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 i...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY; he doth not behave himself towards any in an uncomely or unbeseeming manner, and will do nothing towards his brother, which in the opinion of men shall be a filthy or...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    doth not behave itself unseemly [Self-love betrays its lack of sympathy by vulgar indecorum, and cares not how offensive its conduct is towards others. Manners often give the measure of the man (Luke...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Clement of Alexandria Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved? XXXVIII. But learn thou the more excellent way, which Paul shows for salvation. "Love seeketh not her own,"[68] Tertullian On the Appar...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Corinthians 13:5 does G807 not G3756 rudely G807 (G5719) not G3756 seek G2212 (G5719) own G1438 is...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    LOVE MUST LIE AT THE ROOT OF ALL WE DO ESPECIALLY OUR MINISTRY TO THE CHURCH (13:1-13). Paul now deals with what must lie behind the use of spiritual gifts, if they are to be truly spiritual. And in s...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    HOW TRUE LOVE IS REVEALED (13:4-8A). This definition of love covers all angles. Because it portrays the essentials of love looking from our point of view, it gives us a totally rounded view of what tr...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1 Corinthians 13:5. DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY [1] indecorously, unbefitting oneself and towards others unbecoming. There is in the Christian character a beautiful symmetry, instinctively suggest...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY (ουκ ασχημονε). Old verb from ασχημων (1 Corinthians 12:23). In N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 7:36. Not indecent.SEEKETH NOT ITS OWN (ου ζητε τα εαυτης). Its own...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 Corinthians 13:4 I. "Love envieth not." Envy is the shadow of jealousy, apes its form and mimics its movements, but is constructed out of more airy material and clothed in darker garb. The jealous m...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 Corinthians 13:4 "Love Suffereth Long, and is Kind.". I. We have here brought before us the two sides, the passive and the active sides, of a loving disposition. "Love suffereth long." It is perhap...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 Corinthians 13:5 Individual Faithfulness. I. No sincere worker for God is long left with nothing to do; for God's ways and works are very manifold. Martha is working one way while she is providing...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 Corinthians 13:5 I. Love is not easily provoked. This characteristic follows upon "seeketh not her own," and very naturally self-regard is the great secret of easy provocation. It may be hidden self...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1 Corinthians 13:1. _Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal._ If there be no love to God, and no love to man,...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Love, the supreme gift of the Spirit, and its governing power over other gifts. CHARACTERS: Paul. CONCLUSION: Love alone can give value to any service rendered in Christ's name, and it is...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    The apostle having spoken of the adornings of the church, which is the body of Christ, proceeds now to treat of her internal glory; and that glory is charity, for without this, all other endowments ar...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    LOVE IS NOT ILL-MANNERED. Does not behave in such a way as to shock good manners and morals. Love is polite. OR SELFISH. Selfishness causes irritability. One who centers all his thoughts on himself, w...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal._ CHARITY Each of the apostles had a predominant feature of character....

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Charity suffereth long, and is kind._ CHRISTIAN LOVE I. Suffers long. The Greek denotes having the power “to hold the mind long,” _i.e.,_ it is the opposite to rash anger. There are persons who, whe...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 13 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He points out that of all gifts and graces, charity is the first, and that without charity no gift or virtue is of any use. II. He enumerates (ver. 4) the sixt...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _Is not ambitious._ Ephrem translates it: " _Does not commit what is shameful_." Clement (_Pædag_. lib. iii.c. 1). " _Doth not behave itself unseemly._ " Our translator with Chrysostom, Theodoret, The...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ 1. THESE NEED BE VERY FEW; the language of the chapter is of the simplest, the thought inexhaustibly full. 2. Note, Paul, not John, writes this chapter on LOVE. 3. The “I” is not s...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1 _The supremely excellent way of Christian love. _This chapter has been in all ages the object of the special admiration of the Church. Would that it had received in all...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Let's turn to the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians. The thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians actually begins with chapter 12. Paul was talking in chapter 12 about the various gifts of the Holy Spiri...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Corinthians 10:33; 1 Corinthians 12:25; 1 Corinthians 14:33;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Easily provoked [π α ρ ο ξ υ ν ε τ α ι]. Easily is superfluous, and gives a wrong coloring to the statement, which is absolute : is not provoked or exasperated. The verb occurs only here and Acts 17:1...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY 1 Corinthians 13:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. The love of God. The great love of God verse is John 3:16. Another great love verse is Romans 5:8. The whole Bible is, however, one st...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    It doth not behave indecently — Is not rude, or willingly offensive, to any. It renders to all their due — Suitable to time, person, and all other circumstances. Seeketh not her own — Ease, pleasure,...

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Old Testament