“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up”
Love does not parade itself,
The Corinthians were boastful (1 Co 1:29, 31; 3:21; 4:7; 5:6; 9:15-16; 15:31; 2 Co 7:4, 14; 8:24; 9:2-3; 10:8, 13, 15-17; 11:10, 12, 16-18, 30; 12:1, 5-6, 9). This was especially true in the exercise of their gifts.
The word “parade” means to blow. It is to show oneself a windbag or braggart. The idea behind “parade” is a display. This person is a blowhard or windbag about their worth to the church. He demands praise. Arrogance disrespects others and carries a distain for others. This is the only location in the New Testament for the Greek word. Love does not parade imagined superiority over others. It does not overestimate its own importance or gifts. This person is not ostentatious or bombastic.
PRINCIPLE:
A blowhard has an overestimation of his importance.
APPLICATION:
Love does not parade its accomplishments, for that is an attempt to make others jealous of what we have. Envy resents the success of others; pride is a sinful reply to our own prosperity by taking credit for our success. Love does not parade imagined superiority. It does not wrap itself in self, nor is it out to impress. It does not put on airs. Love does not push itself into public notice and aspires to the limelight. By parading our success before others, we let others know about our success so as to compare ourselves favorably to them.
