I've heard 1 Corinthians 13 quoted so often that it doesn't pack much punch anymore. Called "the love chapter," these words from the Apostle Paul describe love in a variety of ways.
At lunch today, we talked about all kinds of things, but we repeatedly returned to phrases that Paul uses to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13. It seemed that every topic of conversation came back around to our behaviors and attitudes and feelings for others.
As we talked, we settled on one phrase that isn't technically part of Paul's description: love is not easily offended. Though not an exact translation, those words are pretty close in meaning to "love is not easily angered" or "love is not easily provoked" that is found in many modern versions of Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:5).
After our lunch conversation, I spent most of the afternoon thinking about those words: love is not easily offended.
At lunch today, we talked about all kinds of things, but we repeatedly returned to phrases that Paul uses to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13. It seemed that every topic of conversation came back around to our behaviors and attitudes and feelings for others.
As we talked, we settled on one phrase that isn't technically part of Paul's description: love is not easily offended. Though not an exact translation, those words are pretty close in meaning to "love is not easily angered" or "love is not easily provoked" that is found in many modern versions of Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:5).
After our lunch conversation, I spent most of the afternoon thinking about those words: love is not easily offended.
I understand that love should not unnecessarily offend. That makes sense. And that's my first thought when I consider these words. But that's not really the point of the phrase. Paul's words suggest not that love should keep us from offending others (though clearly that would be a good practice!) - but that love should keep us from being offended!
It's an intriguing thought. As I look around my world, I see plenty of people who enjoy being offended. Even more, it seems that many people are actually looking to be offended - waiting for the next slight, listening for a comment that might possibly be misunderstood, almost daring other people to look at them in the wrong way. Our eagerness to be offended is embarrassing. It's also unnecessary. Even more, Paul would suggest that it's not loving.
I don't think Paul is telling us that we should simply give meanness free reign. Sometimes behaviors are so hurtful and destructive that they demand response. All the same, it seems to me that Paul is telling us that we shouldn't take ourselves quite so seriously - and that it's not wise to turn every slight into a battle. Maybe people who choose to be loving are more willing to let some things go.
It works best, of course, when everyone takes that same approach. Unfortunately, however, there seem to be plenty of people who choose to let nothing go. Suddenly, all that matters is who said what, who did what, and what happens next as a result.
Life would be so much better if we could simply choose not to be easily offended, not to be easily angered, not to be easily provoked. For Paul, living that way doesn't merely make good sense. More to the point, living that way is an expression of love.
It is so easy to be offended . . . when we are looking for that. But Paul would want us to understand that we don't need to look for that at all. Even more, choosing not to look for offense is a loving way to live.