Comparative Greek Analysis: 1 Corinthians 13:4a in Koine vs. Classical Greek

Original Text (1 Corinthians 13:4a)

Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται, ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ, ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται,

Literal English Translation

Love is patient, it is kind; love does not envy; love does not boast, it is not puffed up.

Grammar and Syntax Analysis (Koine Greek)

1. Ἡ ἀγάπη – Nominative singular with the article, used anaphorically and for emphasis. Repeated three times in this verse for rhetorical force and poetic rhythm. This is a classic example of Semitic influence (parallelism) in Greek style.
2. μακροθυμεῖ – Present active indicative of μακροθυμέω (“to be patient,” “to endure long”). Common in Koine ethical texts, often associated with divine or virtuous patience. In Classical Greek (e.g., Xenophon or Plato), the verb exists but is used more for long-temperedness in battle or debate than interpersonal relationships.
3. χρηστεύεται – Present middle/passive indicative of χρηστεύομαι (“to show kindness, to act benevolently”). Very rare in Classical Greek. Paul seems to coin or repurpose it to express active goodness; possibly derived from χρηστός (useful, good, kind). This verb exemplifies Koine creativity and Christian ethical innovation.
4. οὐ ζηλοῖ – Present active indicative with negative particle οὐ. From ζηλόω (“to envy, be jealous”). In Classical usage, ζηλόω may have positive sense (“to emulate,” “to admire”), as in Plato or Demosthenes. In Koine, it becomes almost wholly negative—jealousy, rivalry.
5. οὐ περπερεύεται – Present middle indicative of περπερεύομαι (“to boast, to brag”), hapax legomenon in the New Testament. It is extremely rare and possibly coined or drawn from obscure dialectal usage. This verb likely derives from πέρπερος (braggart, swaggering). It is a moral term shaped more by meaning than etymology in Koine context.
6. οὐ φυσιοῦται – Present passive indicative of φυσιόω (“to puff up, inflate with pride”). This verb appears mostly in Paul’s letters, and hardly at all in Classical Greek except metaphorically in medical or natural contexts (e.g., “to swell with wind or gas”). In Koine, Paul uses it figuratively for arrogance and spiritual pride.

Classical Greek Comparisons

• ἀγάπη – In Classical Greek, this noun is extremely rare and when it appears (e.g., Plutarch), it means general affection. The more common terms are ἔρως (passionate love) or φιλία (friendship). Paul redefines ἀγάπη as the highest form of moral love—selfless, divine, and active.
• μακροθυμεῖ – Exists in Classical Greek but seldom with moral nuance. Koine usage intensifies its ethical and relational connotation.
• χρηστεύεται – Virtually unknown in Classical Greek; a Christian innovation or rare Koine usage with a moral tone of kindness. Strongly influenced by χρηστός.
• ζηλοῖ – Classical authors like Plato use it for noble emulation. Paul retools it negatively to mean corrosive envy, aligning with Hellenistic Jewish thought.
• περπερεύεται – Absent from Classical corpus; likely a Pauline neologism. It caricatures boastful speech in moralistic critique.
• φυσιοῦται – Classical usage is literal: “swells,” especially in medical contexts. Paul’s figurative use for arrogant self-inflation is uniquely Koine and theological.

Summary Comparison Table