1 Corinthians 13:5

“Doth not behave itself unseemly, etc.] By using either unbecoming words, or doing indecent actions; for a man unprincipled with this grace will be careful that no filthy and corrupt communication proceed out of his mouth, which may offend pious ears; and that he uses no ridiculous and ludicrous gestures, which may expose himself and grieve the saints; accordingly the Syriac version renders it, “neither does it commit that which is shameful”: such an one will not do a little mean despicable action, in reproaching one, or flattering another, in order to gain a point, to procure some worldly advantage, or an interest in the friendship and affection of another. Some understand it in this sense,…”

“not . . . unseemly--is not uncourteous, or inattentive to civility and propriety. thinketh no evil--imputeth not evil [ALFORD]; literally, "the evil" which actually is there (Pro 10:12; Pe1 4:8). Love makes allowances for the falls of others, and is ready to put on them a charitable construction. Love, so far from devising evil against another, excuses "the evil" which another inflicts on her [ESTIUS]; doth not meditate upon evil inflicted by another [BENGEL]; and in doubtful cases, takes the more charitable view [GROTIUS].”

“Doth not behave itself unseemly - (οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ ouk aschēmonei). This word occurs in 1 Corinthians 7:36. See the note on that verse. It means to conduct improperly, or disgracefully, or in a manner to deserve reproach. Love seeks that which is proper or becoming in the circumstances and relations of life in which we are placed. It prompts to the due respect for superiors, producing veneration and respect for their opinions; and it prompts to a proper regard for inferiors, not despising their rank, their poverty, their dress, their dwellings, their pleasures, their views of happiness; it prompts to the due observance of all the “relations” of life, as those of a husband, wife, parent,…”

“It doth not behave indecently - Is not rude, or willingly offensive, to any. It renders to all their due - Suitable to time, person, and all other circumstances. Seeketh not her own - Ease, pleasure, honour, or temporal advantage. Nay, sometimes the lover of mankind seeketh not, in some sense, even his own spiritual advantage; does not think of himself, so long as a zeal for the glory of God and the souls of men swallows him up. But, though he is all on fire for these ends, yet he is not provoked to sharpness or unkindness toward any one. Outward provocations indeed will frequently occur; but he triumphs over all. Love thinketh no evil - Indeed it cannot but see and hear evil things, and…”

“13:5 It does not demand its own way: Love is not self-centered, not concerned simply with its own interests (see Phil 2:4-8).”

“behave: Co1 7:36 \*Gr: Co1 11:13-16, Co1 11:18, Co1 11:21, Co1 11:22, Co1 14:33-40; Isa 3:5; Phi 4:8; Th2 3:7 seeketh: Co1 10:24, Co1 10:33, Co1 12:25; Rom 14:12-15, Rom 15:1, Rom 15:2; Gal 5:13, Gal 6:1, Gal 6:2; Phi 2:3-5, Phi 2:21; Ti2 2:10; Jo1 3:16, Jo1 3:17 is not: Num 12:3, Num 16:15, Num 20:10-12; Psa 106:32, Psa 106:33; Pro 14:17; Mat 5:22; Mar 3:5; Jam 1:19 thinketh: Sa2 10:3; Job 21:27; Jer 11:19, Jer 18:18-20, Jer 40:13-16; Mat 9:4; Luk 7:39 1 Corinthians 13:6”