The Corinthians had been brought together in new and strange ways. They represented differences in personality, in status, and in opinion. They were far from perfect, but possessed the ability to make the fellowship work. Paul expresses the nature of charity in a series of active verbs, pleading with the Corinthians to give Christian charity a chance to prove what it could do for them. To suffer long creates a passive image of self-control, of not retaliating when hurt, of not nursing a grudge, of not becoming bitter.
Charity is also active in well-doing.
It is interesting to note that, in English translations where adjectives are used, this verse, as well as the rest of passage, sounds like a description of what charity is. The next five negative statements point to the dangers a Christian encounters within him or herself, dangers which Christian charity can surmount. There were those set on pushing forward their own particular set of ideals. Paul is trying to teach the boasting members of the Corinthian fellowship that charity is always modest, as Christ was modest. True charity is happy to serve even without reward.