1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Context
Paul writes this passage to the Corinthian church, which was torn apart by divisions, spiritual pride, and the competitive pursuit of spiritual gifts. In chapters 12-14, Paul addresses the proper use of spiritual gifts, and chapter 13 serves as the heart of his argument: without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are worthless. Love is the "more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31).
What Does 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Mean?
First Corinthians 13:4 begins the most detailed description of love in the entire Bible. Paul uses the word "charity" (agape in Greek), which in the King James Version translates the distinctly Christian concept of selfless, sacrificial love. This is not romantic love, friendship love, or familial love -- it is the love that originates in God's own character and is poured into the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit. Paul describes this love not with abstract theological terms but with concrete, practical behaviors.
The description begins with two positive qualities: "charity suffereth long, and is kind." Longsuffering (patience) is love's endurance -- its ability to bear with difficult people and frustrating circumstances without retaliating or giving up. Kindness is love's active expression -- it does not merely endure wrongs but actively seeks the good of others. Together, these two qualities describe a love that absorbs offense without bitterness and responds with generosity.
The list then turns to what love does not do: "envieth not; vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." Love does not resent the success of others (envy), does not parade its own accomplishments (boasting), and does not inflate its own importance (arrogance). Verses 5-7 continue: love "doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Each phrase strips away another layer of self-centeredness and reveals love as fundamentally other-oriented.
The most profound way to read this passage is to substitute the name "Jesus" for "charity." Jesus suffers long and is kind. Jesus envies not. Jesus is not puffed up. Jesus bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Every quality Paul describes was perfectly embodied in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. He is the living definition of love. When believers ask God to produce this love in their lives, they are asking to be conformed to the image of Jesus -- which is precisely God's purpose for every believer (Romans 8:29).
Original Language Insight
The Greek "agape" (charity/love) refers to selfless, unconditional love rooted in the will rather than emotion. "Makrothumeo" (suffereth long) literally means "long-tempered" -- the opposite of being short-tempered. "Chresteuomai" (is kind) means to show oneself useful, to act benevolently.
Cross References
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
— John 13:34
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
— 1 John 4:8
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”
— Galatians 5:22
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
— Colossians 3:14
Application
This passage serves as both a mirror and a goal for every believer. It exposes the gap between how we naturally love and how God calls us to love, and it drives us to rely on the Holy Spirit to produce in us what we cannot produce on our own. It is also a practical checklist for evaluating relationships, decisions, and responses.