1Cor 13:4 | RWP | e4.org | Verses picture the character or conduct of love in marvellous rhapsody. Suffereth long ( μακροθυμε ). Late Koine word (Plutarch) from μακρος , long, θυμος , passion, ardour. Cf. . Is kind ( χρηστευετα ). From χρηστος (useful, gracious, kind) and that from χραομα , to use. Not found elsewhere save in Clement of Rome and Eusebius. "Perhaps of Paul's coining" (Findlay). Perhaps a vernacular word ready for Paul. Gentle in behaviour. Envieth not ( ου ζηλο ). Present active indicative of ζηλοω (contraction οει=ο , same as subjunctive and optative forms). Bad sense of ζηλος from ζεω , to boil, good sense in . Love is neither jealous nor envious (both ideas). Vaunteth not itself ( ου περπερευετα ). From περπερος , vainglorious, braggart (Polybius, Epictetus) like Latin perperus . Only here in N.T. and earliest known example. It means play the braggart. Marcus Anton. V. 5 uses it with αρεσκευομα , to play the toady. Is not puffed up ( ου φυσιουτα ). Present direct middle indicative of φυσιοω from φυσις (late form for φυσαω, φυσιαω from φυσα , bellows), to puff oneself out like a pair of bellows. This form in Herodas and Menander. Is not arrogant. See on .

‏ 1 Corinthians 13:4

Verses 4-7 picture the character or conduct of love in marvellous rhapsody.

Suffereth long ( μακροθυμε ). Late Koine word (Plutarch) from μακρος, long, θυμος, passion, ardour. Cf. Jas 5:7f.

Is kind ( χρηστευετα ). From χρηστος (useful, gracious, kind) and that from χραομα, to use. Not found elsewhere save in Clement of Rome and Eusebius. "Perhaps of Paul's coining" (Findlay). Perhaps a vernacular word ready for Paul. Gentle in behaviour.

Envieth not ( ου ζηλο ). Present active indicative of ζηλοω (contraction οει=ο, same as subjunctive and optative forms). Bad sense of ζηλος from ζεω, to boil, good sense in 12:31. Love is neither jealous nor envious (both ideas).

Vaunteth not itself ( ου περπερευετα ). From περπερος, vainglorious, braggart (Polybius, Epictetus) like Latin perperus. Only here in N.T. and earliest known example. It means play the braggart. Marcus Anton. V. 5 uses it with αρεσκευομα, to play the toady.

Is not puffed up ( ου φυσιουτα ). Present direct middle indicative of φυσιοω from φυσις (late form for φυσαω, φυσιαω from φυσα, bellows), to puff oneself out like a pair of bellows. This form in Herodas and Menander. Is not arrogant. See on 4:6.