Love is Not Easily Angered
13: 5c
If we bear in mind the trait of unselfishness (to see link click Db – Love is Not Selfish), it is easier to understand that love is not easily angered (Greek: from the root paroxuno), provoked, irritated, embittered or enraged, rather, they are patient (see Cv – Love is Patient). While love treats others with kindness (see Cw – Love is Kind), in turn, many times it receives just the opposite. Paul’s life was full of such experience, especially from his fellow Jews who ought to have especially loved him. He did not accuse them (Acts 28:19), he did the opposite, when he said: Bless those who persecute you (Romans 12:14).414
But the apostle does not rule out righteous indignation. Like his Lord, Paul was only angered by the things that anger God. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness (13:6a). To be angered by the distortion or contradiction of God’s Word is righteous indignation. But when it is truly righteous, indignation will never be provoked by something done against us personally. Paul responded strongly against such things as heresy, immorality, and misuse of spiritual gifts. He became angry (Greek: from the root paroxuno) when he saw that Athens was full of idols (Acts 17:16). When Yeshua cleared the Temple, He was angered at the violation of His Father’s house of prayer (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Iv – Jesus Entered the Temple Area and Drove Out All Who Were Buying and Selling). But on many occasions when He was personally abused, He did not become angry or defensive (John 18:19-24).
The becoming easily angered that Paul wrote to the Corinthians about has to do with things done against us or that are personally offensive. Love does not get angry with others when they say or do something that displeases us or when they prevent us from having our own way (First Peter 2:21-24). Love never reacts in self-defense or retaliation. Being easily angered is the other side of seeking one’s own way. The person who is intent on having his own way is easily angered or easily provoked.
Surely one influencing factor for mental and physical illness in our society today is the overwhelming preoccupation with our rights and the resulting anger. When everyone is fighting for his or her own rights, no one can really succeed or be content. Everyone grabs, no one gives, and everyone loses – even when one gets what he or she wants. Anger can never win in any meaningful or lasting way. It always costs more than it gains.
We sometimes get angry when another person gains a privilege or recognition we want for ourselves, because it is our “right.” But to put our rights before our duty and before the loving concern for others comes from self-centeredness and lovelessness. The loving person is more concerned about doing what he should and helping where he can than in having what he thinks are his rights and his due. Love considers nothing is a “right” and everything is an obligation.
The ultimate test for being easily angered is in the home, behind closed doors. Telling our family that we love them is merely empty words if we continually get upset and angry at what they say and do. Telling our wives or husbands that we love them is not convincing if we are snapping at them all the time. Telling our children that we love them is merely words if we often yell at them for doing things that irritate us and interfere with our plans. It does no good to protest, “I lose my temper a lot, but it’s all over in a few minutes.” So is a nuclear bomb. A great deal of damage can be done in a very short time. Temper is always destructive, and even small temper “bombs” can leave much hurt and damage, especially when they explode on a regular basis. Lovelessness is the cause of temper, and love is the only cure. Love that takes a person outside of himself and centers his attention on the well-being of others is the only cure for self-centeredness.415
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for Your wisdom that wisely gets angry at evil, but is patient with Your children. When we sin, You could reject us or hurt us; but instead, You gently draw us back to You so we can repent with genuine sorrow for our wrong, and then You graciously forgive us. For the grief that God wills brings a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret. But the world’s grief brings death. For see what this very thing – this grieving that God wills – has brought you! What diligence, what defense, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what rendering of justice! In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter (Second Corinthians 7:10-11). Thank You for sending the Ruach Ha’Kodesh to convict the world of sin (First John 16:8) so that we turn from sin to follow You as our Lord and Savior, embracing Your gracious offer of forgiveness. You are so loved! In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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