1 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

Bible Commentary

1 Corinthians 13:5 is a famous Bible verse from the New Testament that describes what love is not. The greatest faith, deepest wisdom and most honorable spiritual gifts mean absolutely nothing if we don’t have love. (1 Corinthians 13:2) The Bible says that God is love, and we see proof of the depth of His love on the cross.

There is no emotion or gift on the earth that is more powerful than that. It is our responsibility to revere God by accepting the gift of His Son Jesus Christ.

If our earthly father were to give us a gift that cost him everything he had, we would be humbled to know he loved us that much and we would receive his gift with thanksgiving. God didn’t just give us one of his many treasures from Heaven. He gave us His best.

His Son.

Nothing and nobody else was worthy to be the perfect sacrifice, which paid for our sins. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to emulate His life. We are to submit ourselves to the hand of God, which molds and shapes us into the likeness of Christ.

This is how we live victoriously over the temptations of our flesh, over the schemes of the devil and the lure of the world. This is how we have abundant life. So let’s study the word love so we can ask God to purge from our conscience those things that don’t look like love.

Christ Beside Us

First of all, 1 Corinthians 13:5 says love does not behave itself unseemly. In the Greek “unseemly” means: unbecoming. Webster’s defines “unbecoming” as: not appropriate or suited to one’s appearance or character; unattractive.

Have you ever seen a beautiful woman, but her behavior was inappropriate or unattractive? Of course, we have seen that example and probably have been that example.

Let’s behave as if Jesus Christ was right beside us, listening and watching because He is! He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of our heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Put Others First

Next, 1 Corinthians 13:5 says love does not seek her own. What does this mean exactly? The word “seek” in the Greek means: to worship or to plot. In a nutshell—it is selfishness. We must put others ahead of ourselves. We get so wrapped up in trying to attain what we want for ourselves that we forget other people’s wants and needs.

Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;” We are to treat others the way we want to be treated. Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.

We mustn’t worry that we won’t be loved back. When we sincerely love others, it will come right back to us. We must get the focus off ourselves.

Submit to God

Next, 1 Corinthians 13:5 says love is not easily provoked. Wow, that’s a good one in these modern times. We must not let our flesh rule over our thoughts and actions.

The devil is a very powerful force in stirring up our emotions. He knows exactly what buttons to push—where we’ve been hurt in the past and what provokes us—and then he uses other people’s weaknesses against our own.

He stirs up a commotion and then revels in his victory as we devour one another. We must recognize his schemes and resist him. James 4:7 says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

We must reach past our emotions by focusing on Christ. If it helps, keep a cross close by to help you resist the temptation to lash out. Keep the big picture in mind and know God’s love is far more powerful than the devil’s tricks.

Think No Evil

Lastly, 1 Corinthians 13:5 says love thinks no evil. This is a very broad term and encompasses so much, but in the Greek it means: worthless, depraved, injurious, bad, wicked.

As a child of God, we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). What an amazing gift, but it takes discipline and practice to begin accessing and using it. The gifts we have in Christ are vast! Let’s not fall short of the potential He has given us.

Ask for God’s help to fulfill the potential He has given you. The power of the Holy Spirit lives within us. There is so much He desires to show us and give us. All we have to do is ask Him for help.

Lord, help us to fulfill the potential you have given us to live as sons and daughters of the Most High—victorious, prosperous, peaceful, joyful and happy—loving You and loving others as ourselves. Study the Bible verse of 1 Corinthians 13:5 to turn away from all that love is not.

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