What does 1 Corinthians 13:5 mean?
Paul continues his portrait of love with four more things it will not do. Love does not "behave itself unseemly," meaning it is not rude or disrespectful. It "seeketh not her own," putting others' interests ahead of its own way. It "is not easily provoked," so it does not fly into anger or take offense quickly. And it "thinketh no evil," which can mean it does not plot harm or keep a record of wrongs. The Corinthian church struggled with lawsuits, quarrels, and selfishness at the Lord's Supper. Paul shows them a better way. Christians see this love most clearly in Jesus, who lived every line of it perfectly.
1 Corinthians 13:5 in the World English Bible
doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;
Context
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
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Frequently asked questions
What does 1 Corinthians 13:5 mean?
Paul continues his portrait of love with four more things it will not do. Love does not "behave itself unseemly," meaning it is not rude or disrespectful. It "seeketh not her own," putting others' interests ahead of its own way. It "is not easily provoked," so it does not fly into anger or take offense quickly. And it "thinketh no evil," which can mean it does not plot harm or keep a record of wrongs. The Corinthian church struggled with lawsuits, quarrels, and selfishness at the Lord's Supper. Paul shows them a better way. Christians see this love most clearly in Jesus, who lived every line of it perfectly.
What does 1 Corinthians 13:5 say in the KJV?
1 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) reads: “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”