"Charity suffereth long, and is kind..." It is interesting that the terms "suffereth long" and "kind" are connected in this verse. The terms here indicate that one is to be long tempered, that is patient. At first glance the word appears to be aimed at the individual in the overall aspect of the trials of life. In this verse, as in many of the verses in this chapter, Paul, writing by divine inspiration is referring to the quality of being long tempered with those about us. The Greek word (makrothumeo) from which this is rendered, speaks to our dealings with others and is found in other places in the New Testament as well.
This is the same word that appears in 1 Thessalonians 5.14. "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." In this passage we can see that Paul is exhorting us to be patient with the weaknesses and faults of others. This is not in an effort to condone such, but is an encouragement to find ways to strengthen, teach, admonish, exhort and rebuke in such a way that we do no damage. It also implies that we need to understand that there are others who may not have reached the same state of spiritual development that we have, and as such, we need to be patient with their lack of knowledge. One of the things that prevents us from building others up, is that we sometimes expect them to have the same degree of knowledge that we have, or to possess the same capabilities. When we find that others do not have the same knowledge or capacities we may look down on such a one or condemn them in our own frustration without trying to teach or do that which will edify.
The same word appears again in the episitle of James. " Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." (Jas 5.7). The context of the chapter here indicates those being addressed were to depart from the pursuits fueled by lust and greed which had caused them to take advantage of others. As Christians they are to be patient, or longsufferng, in the sense that they must learn to set themselves aside, and to respect others. There is the need to understand that the struggles and emotions that we deal with are those that afflict others as well. In this realization we find the need to be patient with ourselves, waiting for that reward that the Lord has promised, and with others who are struggling to attain the same thing. To those who are lost we need to be patient, knowing that the concept of being lost is one that is foreign to most, presenting an obstacle to the realization of what one needs to do to obey God.
In this patience there is kindness, as seen in the verse cited above. This kindness is exemplified in the attitude that holds others in true regard, not willing to destroy, or be frustrated with one, but to show a necessary degree of patience coupled with willingness to work with others.
"....charity envieth not..." The word here (zelo) conveys the desire to deprive another of something. It is closely related to the idea of jealousy but contains the idea of an active pursuit of taking what is not ours. Notice how all of these terms relate to interpersonal relationships and convey the idea of respecting others, of looking out for the best interests of those around us, setting aside our own wants and wishes. James describes attitudes similar to that which is condemned here. "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." (James 4.2-3). Ananias and Sapphira were so envious of the attention others were receiving that they were willing to lie to God and their brothers and sisters to grab a bit of the spotlight for themselves, so to speak (Acts 5.1-10). This is the same "envy" that killed Christ as the leaders of the day were so threatened that they would lose their power that they were willing to kill one they knew to be a prophet from God.
"...charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up..." All of the above in one way or another have to do with a personal sense of importance or pride. This is the practice of placing oneself before others regardless of what the other needs. In an extreme form we find it condemned by the apostle John. "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (3 John 9). James condemns similar attitudes as well (Jas 2.1-4). Many of the problems that come about in the church are due to the overstated sense of importance that some develop. This is a subtle thing and one that we must watch for. When we become blind to our own actions, and the reactions of others, we may lose sight of ourselves. We must continually watch out for the estate of others knowing that we are vulernable to our own shortcomings and weaknesses. Paul bears this out in his instructions to the Galatians in restoring one who has fallen. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." (Gal 6.1-2)
TLC