1 Corinthians 13 5

1 Corinthians 13:5 kjv

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

1 Corinthians 13:5 nkjv

does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

1 Corinthians 13:5 niv

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

1 Corinthians 13:5 esv

or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

1 Corinthians 13:5 nlt

or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

1 Corinthians 13 verses

1 Corinthians 13 5 meaning

First Corinthians 13:5 profoundly describes the nature of divine love (agape) through four negative characteristics, contrasting it with the prevailing human tendencies. This love does not behave indecently or improperly, always considering the well-being and respect of others. It is fundamentally altruistic, not driven by selfish desires or insistent on its own rights or preferences. True love remains patient and composed, not easily provoked to anger or irritability. Finally, it refuses to harbor resentment or keep an account of past wrongs committed by others, instead choosing to forgive and not dwell on offenses. This verse presents a high standard for Christian conduct, highlighting love as foundational to ethical behavior and relational harmony within the church and beyond.

1 Corinthians 13 5 Context

First Corinthians chapter 13, famously known as the "love chapter," is nestled between Paul's extended discussion of spiritual gifts (chapters 12 and 14) within the highly factious and boastful Corinthian church. In chapter 12, Paul emphasizes unity and diversity of gifts, highlighting that all gifts come from the same Spirit, but some gifts, like speaking in tongues or prophecy, were being unduly exalted. In chapter 14, he provides guidelines for the orderly exercise of spiritual gifts, again aiming to prevent chaos and self-aggrandizement. Chapter 13 serves as the vital interpretive lens: without the selfless, patient, and other-centered love described here, even the most spectacular spiritual gifts are meaningless, and their exercise becomes detrimental to the body of Christ. The Corinthian Christians struggled with divisions, pride, jealousy, and disorderly conduct, all of which stemmed from a lack of true agape love. Therefore, Paul's description of what love "is not" (like dishonoring, self-seeking, easily angered, or resentful) directly addresses their prevailing behavioral patterns and cultural norms that were at odds with Christ's teaching. The Greco-Roman city of Corinth itself was notorious for its hedonism, philosophical competitiveness, and emphasis on individual prowess, further highlighting the counter-cultural demands of Christian love.

1 Corinthians 13 5 Word analysis

Word-by-word analysis

• Love (Ἀγάπη - Agape): Refers to a self-sacrificial, benevolent, active, and unconditional love, distinct from eros (romantic love) or philia (friendship love). It is divine in origin and choice-based, not primarily an emotion.
• does not dishonor others (οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ - ouk aschēmonei): Literally, "does not act indecently" or "unseemly."
  • οὐκ (ouk): A strong negative particle, meaning "not."
  • ἀσχημονεῖ (aschēmonei): The verb means "to act indecently, inappropriately, disgracefully, or impolitely." It speaks to outward conduct, implying a lack of respect or decorum, potentially causing offense or shame to others. This likely contrasted with boastful or chaotic public displays within the Corinthian church.
• is not self-seeking (οὐ ζητεῖ τὰ ἑαυτῆς - ou zētei ta heautēs): Literally, "does not seek its own things."
  • οὐ (ou): "Not."
  • ζητεῖ (zētei): From zēteō, "to seek, search for, inquire for."
  • τὰ ἑαυτῆς (ta heautēs): Literally "its own (things)." This phrase underscores love's altruistic nature, not pursuing its own advantages, glory, or agenda above others.
• is not easily angered (οὐ παροξύνεται - ou paroxynetai): Literally, "is not provoked" or "stirred up to anger."
  • οὐ (ou): "Not."
  • παροξύνεται (paroxynetai): From paroxunō, meaning "to sharpen, to irritate, to provoke, to exasperate." It implies being quickly or easily stirred to strong displeasure or wrath, often over minor irritations.
• keeps no record of wrongs (οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν - ou logizetai to kakon): Literally, "does not take account of the evil."
  • οὐ (ou): "Not."
  • λογίζεται (logizetai): From logizomai, an accounting term meaning "to calculate, reckon, credit, charge, count." Here, it means not calculating or imputing evil, not holding a grudge or remembering past offenses.
  • τὸ κακόν (to kakon): "The evil" or "the wrong."

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Love... does not dishonor others: This phrase directly challenges any behavior that is rude, immodest, indecent, or lacking in respect for others, especially within a community context where people's dignity, boundaries, or comfort are overlooked. It directly contrasts with the potential for showy, attention-seeking use of spiritual gifts in Corinth that could embarrass or diminish others. It speaks to humility and consideration.
• Love... is not self-seeking: This describes an ego-less orientation. Agape prioritizes the good of the other over one's own desires, ambitions, or comforts. In Corinth, where individual Christians were potentially vying for prominence or personal benefit from spiritual gifts or social standing, this aspect of love calls them to radical selflessness, focusing on building up the community.
• Love... is not easily angered: This addresses emotional self-control. It suggests a patient and longsuffering spirit that does not react hastily or violently to provocations. Instead of quickly escalating into indignation or rage when faced with irritation, disagreement, or slight, agape maintains a calm and understanding posture. This was particularly relevant in a community prone to quarreling and factions.
• Love... keeps no record of wrongs: This speaks to the profound forgiving and non-resentful nature of love. Using an accounting metaphor, it means love does not tally up the offenses of others in order to recall them later or use them as leverage. Instead, it lets go of past grievances, extending grace rather than harboring bitterness or seeking vengeance. This promotes healing and reconciliation rather than division.

1 Corinthians 13 5 Bonus section

The Greek word for "dishonor" (aschēmonei) could carry a specific social implication in ancient Corinth. Given the emphasis on public reputation and honor in Greco-Roman society, coupled with the Corinthian church's issues of boasting and seeking prominence (1 Cor 1:29, 4:7), acting "improperly" or "indecently" might also refer to behavior that causes others to lose face or be publicly shamed. This could manifest in how those with "superior" gifts treated those with "lesser" ones, or in socio-economic disparities during practices like the Lord's Supper, where the rich shamed the poor (1 Cor 11:20-22). Therefore, love here directly counteracts public humiliation and social insensitivity.

Furthermore, the "keeps no record of wrongs" (οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν) aspect is profoundly theological. It echoes God's divine character in forgiving sins, where He "remembers them no more" (Heb 8:12; Isa 43:25). By exhorting believers to not keep track of wrongs, Paul is calling them to imitate God's boundless grace, a radical counter-cultural act in a society that often valued honor-retaliation and demanding one's due. This kind of love fosters a community of healing, rather than one entrenched in unforgiveness and conflict, which was a pervasive issue within the Corinthian community, even to the point of litigation among believers (1 Cor 6:1-8).

1 Corinthians 13 5 Commentary

First Corinthians 13:5 paints a vivid, albeit negatively framed, picture of agape love, highlighting four crucial qualities that challenge typical human failings. This verse is not merely describing ideal personal attributes but presenting foundational principles for healthy communal life, especially pertinent to the divisive and individualistic atmosphere in ancient Corinth.

"Love does not dishonor others" implies that genuine love respects the dignity and honor of every individual, avoiding any behavior that might cause shame, discomfort, or an undignified feeling. It's an active practice of decorum and consideration, which would have counteracted any spiritual snobbery or ostentatious display of gifts within the church that led to public embarrassment or belittling of others.

"Is not self-seeking" is arguably at the heart of Christian love. It means love's primary orientation is always outward, concerned with the welfare and benefit of others, rather than pursuing personal gain, status, or satisfaction. In a community where individual gifts or wisdom were being leveraged for personal prominence, this was a stark call to Christ-like self-sacrifice, echoing Philippians 2 where Christ emptied Himself for others.

"Is not easily angered" highlights love's patient endurance. True love doesn't possess a short fuse or become irritable at minor offenses. It demonstrates a calm spirit even under provocation, a vital trait in an era of passionate rhetoric and cultural clashes within the multi-ethnic Corinthian church. It encourages thoughtful response over knee-jerk reactions, seeking understanding rather than an immediate outburst.

Finally, "keeps no record of wrongs" means love does not act like a ledger, meticulously itemizing every slight, offense, or failure of others. Instead of remembering, revisiting, or holding onto grievances, it forgives, blots out, and refuses to impute evil. This quality prevents bitterness, resentment, and a desire for retaliation, paving the way for reconciliation and true peace. It embodies a proactive forgiveness that frees both the offender and the offended.

Together, these characteristics delineate a love that profoundly reshapes human interactions, moving them from self-centered, retaliatory, and prideful modes to ones defined by humility, respect, patience, and boundless grace—a reflection of God's own love for humanity.

Examples for practical usage:

• Not dishonoring: Waiting for others to speak rather than interrupting; dressing respectfully for sacred gatherings; choosing kind words even when disagreeing.
• Not self-seeking: Volunteering for a less desirable task; letting someone else take credit for a shared achievement; serving behind the scenes without seeking recognition.
• Not easily angered: Taking a moment to pray before responding to an upsetting comment; consciously giving someone the benefit of the doubt instead of assuming ill intent.
• Keeps no record of wrongs: Refusing to bring up past mistakes during an argument; choosing to move on after someone apologizes, genuinely releasing the grievance.