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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (5c)
As we continue our Bible study in 1 Corinthians 13:5c (NKJV), we learn that love, “is not provoked,”. The (NIV) states it this way, [love], “it is not easily angered,”. To be provoked or easily angered is to have an aggressive attitude that lashes out at others; this is not reflective of love, especially the love that God has put in our hearts through our salvation in Christ Jesus.
We know that the Apostle Paul was concerned for, “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2b) in the church at Corinth as he wrote this letter with this introduction (1 Corinthians 1:1-3).
This is a command to not be provoked/easily angered in the new life of Christianity given by Christ Jesus who gave Himself freely without anger or being provoked to it when He was falsely accused, beaten, and crucified for the sins of the world.
As the Apostle Paul was concerned about teaching those called to be saints in the church at Corinth, God preserved these words so that we too could learn from them. The Apostle John states in John 20:30-31(NKJV), “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” All of the teachings, lessons, promises, examples, and commands that are written in the Bible were written for us to utilize in our lives to draw us near to God in new life that is only received through Jesus – our Lord and our God as is stated in John 20:28.
As Jesus was mocked, beaten, and falsely accused (John 19:1-4), He was not provoked to anger. Jesus is our example of what we should strive to be in attitude, action, and in life. He is our Lord and Savior who came to show us how we should live and act in respect to our Creator God and to our fellow human beings. It is love that guides all – in Christ. Let the love of God rule in your hearts, souls, and minds (Matthew 22:37).
Dear LORD,
The words of the Apostle Paul that we will soon study ring so true as we find in 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Please let it be so LORD. In Jesus name I pray, amen.