Is not arrogant or rude translates a single Greek verb that in 7.36 was translated “not behaving properly.” The kind of action that is referred to here is not superficial matters of etiquette, but behavior in a wide sense, as Revised Standard Version shows.

Does not insist on its own way is literally “does not seek its own.” In many languages an equivalent of “unselfish” will give a clear meaning. The meaning, though not the words, of Phil 2.4 is quite similar: “let each of you look not only to his own interests.”

Irritable: a related noun is translated “a sharp contention” in Acts 15.39. Another possible translation, then, is “love is not … easily angered and argumentative” or “People who love are not….”

Resentful is literally “keep a record of wrongs” (see Good News Bible). In the New Testament context Good News Bible‘s translation is a good model for other languages to use, unless a particular language has a single verb that equals this meaning. One may expand this: “keep a record of wrongs done by other people.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .