1 Corinthians 13:4

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

[Note: The following traits should be understood in the context of love for people]. Love is patient [with people], and is kind [to them]; love does not envy [what people are or have]; love does not boast [of being superior to others], it is not arrogant [in dealing with people].

Cross References

Matthew 27:18

For he knew that the reason they had turned Jesus over to him was out of envy.

Acts 7:9

“[And when] these patriarchs, [still living in Canaan as young men], became jealous of [their brother] Joseph, they sold him [as a slave to traveling merchants who took him] to Egypt. But God was with him [during all that time],

Romans 1:29

They are full of all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and maliciousness. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,

Romans 13:13

We should be living properly, as in the daytime [i.e., when people normally behave themselves], not engaging in orgies and drunkenness; not practicing sexual immorality and indecent vices; not quarrelsome and jealous.

1 Corinthians 3:3

for you are still worldly [minded]. And since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, is that not evidence that you are [still] worldly and living like [unspiritual] people?

1 Corinthians 4:18

Now some of you have become arrogant, thinking that I would not [dare to] come to you.

1 Corinthians 4:6

Now I have applied these things, brothers, to myself and to Apollos as an illustration for your benefit, so that you might learn to “follow the written message.” [Note: This is thought to have been a common way of referring, in that day, to the importance of adhering to Old Testament Scripture]. So, none of you should be more proud of one [leader] than of another.

1 Corinthians 5:2

And you are arrogant [about it] instead [of being ashamed] Should you not be grieved to the point of removing from your fellowship the person who has done this [terrible] deed?

1 Corinthians 8:1

I now want to reply to the matter of idolatrous sacrifices [which you wrote to me about]. We know that we all possess knowledge. [Note: This may be a statement posed to Paul by the Corinthians, who seemed quite preoccupied with “knowledge”]. Knowledge [only] makes people arrogant, while love builds them up [spiritually].

2 Corinthians 12:20

For I am afraid that somehow, when I come [to you], I might not find you the way I want you to be, and you might not find me the way you want me to be. I am afraid there might be quarrelling, jealousy, angry outbursts, factious spirits, slander, gossip, arrogance and [other] disturbances [there].

2 Corinthians 6:6

[We have ministered] with purity, knowledge, patience and kindness. [We have done this] by [the power of] the Holy Spirit; out of genuine love;

Galatians 5:26

We should avoid foolish pride as well as provoking or envying one another.

Ephesians 4:2

Live in a humble, gentle and patient way, showing tolerance [for the weaknesses] of one another out of love [for them].

Ephesians 4:32

and be kind and compassionate toward one another, forgiving each other, just as God also forgave you [because of your fellowship] in Christ.

Philippians 1:15

Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill.

Colossians 1:11

[We also pray that you will be] strengthened with great power, according to God’s glorious might, so that you will have great endurance and patience [coupled] with joy.

Colossians 2:18

Do not allow anyone, who delights in acting humble [i.e., living an ascetic life] and who worships angels, to rob you of your reward [in heaven]. [Note: This “angel worship” could mean holding angels in high regard because of their role as God’s messengers, or the claim that God can be approached only through angelic intermediaries]. He places great importance on what he [claims to] see [i.e., visions], being inflated with pride by his fleshly mind for no [good] reason.

Colossians 3:12

So, as God’s elect [i.e., His people], holy and dearly loved [by Him], clothe yourselves with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

And we urge you, brothers, to warn those who are idle [Note: The word “idle” originally meant, “insubordinate, or unruly.” See II Thess. 3:6-7, 11], encourage those who are timid, help the [spiritually] weak and be patient with everyone.

1 Timothy 6:4

that person is conceited. He does not understand anything, but has an unhealthy concern for controversy and arguments over words, which produce envy, dissension, abusive language, evil suspicions,

2 Timothy 2:25

[He must] gently correct those people who oppose [him], in hope that God will give them [opportunity for] repentance, leading to a [full] knowledge of the truth,

2 Timothy 3:10

But you have followed [Note: These words mean “to observe closely, have a keen interest in”] my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the [Gospel] message; be prepared [to do it both] when it is convenient and when it is inconvenient; reprove [i.e., convince people of their wrongdoing], rebuke [i.e., convict people of their sin], and exhort [i.e., urge people to act], with great patience and teaching.

Titus 3:3

For we [Christians] were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various kinds of [evil] desires and [sinful] pleasures. [We used to] live in malice and envy, hating people and being hated by them.

James 4:5

Or, do you think that the Scripture says [this] for nothing? [Note: No specific passage is here cited, but the idea occurs in several Old Testament passages]. “The Holy Spirit, whom God has made to live in us, longs jealously [for us to be faithful to God].”

1 Peter 2:1

Therefore, you should put out of your lives all malice [i.e., bad attitudes], and all deceit and hypocrisy, and all envy and unwholesome talk.

1 Peter 3:8

Now to summarize: All of you should think alike. Be sympathetically understanding [toward one another]. Be loving toward [your] brothers [and sisters]. Be tender-hearted and humble-minded.

1 Peter 4:8

Above everything else, have a warm love for one another, for such a love keeps many sins from occurring [between you].

2 Peter 1:7

and brotherly kindness along with your godliness, and with your brotherly kindness, develop love.

1 John 4:11

Loved ones, if God loved us that much, we should also love one another.