What does it mean that love does not boast (1 Corinthians 13:4)?

Answer

In 1 Corinthians 13, the well-known Bible chapter about love, the apostle Paul elaborates on God’s greatest gift. Part of the depiction of love includes a series of negatives—what love is not. One of these negatives, mentioned in verse 4, is that love “does not boast.”

The Greek term translated as “boast” here means “to brag or draw attention to oneself.” In contrast to the qualities of kindness and patience highlighted earlier in the verse, boasting is not a characteristic of love. Paul’s reference to boasting is significant, especially considering his teachings against arrogance elsewhere in the epistle.

Previous sections of this letter indicate that the Corinthian Christians were boasting about various things. They were boasting about their loyalty to different apostles, causing division within the church (chapters 1–3). They were speaking ill of Paul (chapter 4). They were proud of their tolerance for immorality within the church (chapter 5). They were taking legal action against each other (chapter 6). These and other acts of arrogance are addressed in chapter 13, with love presented as the appropriate remedy. As stated in verse 4, genuine love does not boast. There is no place for arrogance in love.

Behaviors similar to those of the Corinthians can sometimes be observed among present-day believers. Instead of embodying kindness and patience (verse 4), many contribute to division within the church, criticize church leaders, boast about their progressive stance on sin, and engage in lawsuits against fellow Christians. The solution to these shortcomings is outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. A Christian who demonstrates divine love will not boast.

The reason love does not boast is simple: love is centered on the beloved, not on oneself. A braggart focuses on himself, exaggerating his own achievements and being overly preoccupied with self-promotion.

Embracing love enables one to notice others. Love shifts the perspective outward. A person demonstrating God’s love will uplift others, focus on their needs, and offer assistance without expecting anything in return or seeking recognition. When someone exclaims, “Look at how great I am!” it reflects arrogance, not love.

Paul had opportunities to boast, yet he chose not to. He had ministered to the Corinthians without receiving a salary, entirely voluntarily, but he did not boast about his selflessness. Instead, he wrote, “If I preach the gospel, that gives me no grounds for boasting” «For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! », (1 Corinthians 9:16). Elsewhere, Paul wrote that no Christian has the right to boast about salvation: we are saved by grace through faith, “so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:9;see also Romans 3:27-28).

Boasting is unloving and sinful. Those who are called to reflect Christ should aim to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus «Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: », (Philippians 2:5), demonstrating a love that attracts people to the Lord and brings glory to the heavenly Father «Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. », (Matthew 5:16).