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.
Some of the Corinthians were arrogant, full of themselves. Verse five begins with this fourth danger, directly tied into the third, and if only the Corinthians would learn to be charitable toward one another, they would be rid of their arrogance and its accompanying rudeness. Selfishness is the opposite of charitable love. The opposite of selfishness is not despising oneself, but love. One must love oneself before one can love one's neighbor.