Bible Glide

1 Corinthians 13:4

1 Corinthians 13:4 Bible Verse: Text, Meaning, and Context

1 Corinthians 13:4 gives a clear picture of love in everyday conduct. Paul describes love as patient and kind, then shows that real love does not envy, boast, or act from pride. This verse is often read on its own, but it belongs to a larger teaching about what makes life and service pleasing to God.

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What happens in 1 Corinthians 13:4?

In this part of 1 Corinthians, Paul contrasts impressive spiritual gifts and acts of sacrifice with the greater way of love. After saying that speech, faith, and generosity are empty without love, he begins to describe what love looks like in practice. Love is patient and kind. It does not compare itself with others, seek attention, or lift itself above them. The verse sets the tone for the rest of the passage, where Paul continues to show that love is humble, steady, and outward-facing.

1 Corinthians addresses a church with division, status concerns, and confusion about spiritual gifts. In chapter 13, Paul pauses his discussion of gifts to show the more excellent way: love. Verse 4 begins a short, famous description of the character of love, which continues through verse 7 and gives shape to the whole chapter.

Themes to notice

  • PatienceLove waits well and does not rush to frustration or control.
  • KindnessLove acts with warmth, care, and concern for others.
  • HumilityLove avoids envy, boasting, and pride, putting others before self.

Questions for 1 Corinthians 13:4

  • What does patience look like in your relationships today?
  • Where do envy, boasting, or pride most often show up in your life?
  • How would your actions change if kindness guided your next conversation?

Read the full text of 1 Corinthians 13:4 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

1 Corinthians 13

Love

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.3If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.6Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

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