Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
What does 1 Corinthians 13:4 mean?
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.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:4
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Charity suffereth long - Paul now proceeds to illustrate the "nature" of love, or to show how it is exemplified. His illustrations are all drawn from its effect in regulating our conduct toward others, or our contact with them. The "reason" why he made use of this illustration, rather than its nature as evinced toward "God," was, probably, because it was especially necessary for them to understand in what way it should be manifested toward each other.
Key words
- suffereth
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Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Charity suffereth long - Paul now proceeds to illustrate the "nature" of love, or to show how it is exemplified.
Context in 1 Corinthians 13
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1 Corinthians 13 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as the resurrection chapter and closing. First Corinthians is a pastoral and doctrinal letter correcting divisions while teaching about holiness, worship, gifts, and resurrection. Read this chapter with the wider themes of the cross, church order, and holiness in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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Who quoted 1 Corinthians 13:4?
Find out who used 1 Corinthians 13:4 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted 1 Corinthians 13:4?
Jimmy Carter used 1 Corinthians 13:4 in Remarks at Dedication Ceremonies for Dolvin Elementary School in Alpharetta, Georgia.
APP: Remarks at Dedication Ceremonies for Dolvin Elementary School in Alpharetta, Georgia »
Donald J. Trump (2nd Term) used 1 Corinthians 13:4 in Pool Reports of February 6, 2025.
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «1 Corinthians 13»):
Charlie Kirk · Children · Michelangelo · Paul of Tarsus · Perfection · Protestant Reformation · The Mission (1986 film) · William Tyndale