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1 Corinthians 13:5

1 Corinthians 13:5 Bible Verse: Text, Meaning, and Context

1 Corinthians 13:5 gives a clear picture of how love acts in daily life. Paul shows that real love is considerate, humble, patient, and ready to let go of offense instead of keeping score.

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What happens in 1 Corinthians 13:5?

This verse continues Pauls description of love by naming several ways it avoids harm in relationships. Love is not rude or self-focused, and it does not react quickly in anger. It also does not keep a record of wrongs, which points to a forgiving spirit rather than one that stores up offenses. In the flow of the chapter, these traits show that love is more than strong feelings or impressive gifts. It is the steady way believers are called to treat one another.

First Corinthians was written to a church marked by division, pride, and misuse of spiritual gifts. In chapter 13, Paul places love at the center of Christian life and worship. Verses 2 to 8 surround this verse with a fuller portrait of love, showing that gifts and sacrifice mean little without it.

Themes to notice

  • Considerate conductLove avoids rudeness and treats others with care.
  • HumilityLove does not put its own interests first.
  • ForgivenessLove does not keep a running record of offenses.

Questions for 1 Corinthians 13:5

  • Which part of this verse is hardest to practice in your relationships?
  • What does it look like for love to be less self-seeking in everyday life?
  • How can remembering this verse change the way you respond to offense?

Read the full text of 1 Corinthians 13:5 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

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.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.

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