1 Corinthians 13:5

Envieth. Gr. zeloo, “to be zealous,” either in a good or bad sense; here in a bad sense, “to be envious,” that is, to exhibit wrong or unpleasant feelings toward others on account of advantages possessed by them. Such feelings give rise to strife and division, entirely contrary to the teachings of Jesus, for He exhorted men to love one another and live together in unity (see John 15:12; 17:22; 1 John 3:23). Envy, or jealousy, is one of the most cruel and contemptible of all human failings (see Prov. 27:4; Song of Sol. 8:6). Lucifer, the exalted angel who was privileged to be one of the covering cherubs by the throne of God, was overcome by envy and lost his high position (see Isa. 14:12-15; Eze. 28:14, 15). Since his fall, Satan has sought to implant his own dreadful vice of envy in the heart of every human being, so that all may be ruined, as he was. Only love can drive out jealousy. However, contentedness with what the Lord has permitted us to have does not debar us from desiring earnestly the best gifts and longing ardently for the “more excellent way” of love, which is described in this chapter (see 1 Cor. 12:31).

Vaunteth ... itself. Gr. perpereuomai. “to be vainglorious,” “to boast oneself.” Love does not sound its own praises; it is humble and does not try to exalt self. One in whose heart true love is found remembers the life and death of Jesus and instantly repels every thought or suggestion that would lead to self-glorification (see EW 112, 113). The love that is a gift of the Spirit looks upon every good thing as coming from God and bestowed by Him, and hence there is no ground for vain boasting because of possessing a certain gift from God.

Is ... puffed up. Gr. phusiod, “to puff up,” “to blow up,” “to inflate,” metaphorically, “to make proud.” Phusiod comes from phusa, “bellows.” Love does not inflate a person with vanity; it does not produce a condition of conceit and self-exaltation. This expression points to the subjective state of pride and self-satisfaction that so often mark those possessed of superior knowledge and abilities (see ch. 8:1). Love does not indulge in mental self-esteem, laying claim to having the best gifts, and in that way ministering to vainglory. Love does not produce ideas of self-importance, nor seek the flattery of others for anything that has been accomplished (see 5T 124).