What does it mean that love is not easily angered (1 Corinthians 13:5)?

Answer

Love is an attribute of God and one of His gifts to us. First Corinthians 13 offers tremendous perspective regarding the true nature of Christian love. A portion of the description says that love “is not easily angered” (verse 5). This helps us understand what true love looks like (and what it doesn’t).

If love is not easily angered, then a person with a “short fuse,” who becomes angry easily, is not showing love. Love is called “patient” in verse 4 (both love and patience are listed as fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23). Patience includes the ability to tolerate weaknesses in others without readily expressing anger. “Love covers over a multitude of sins” «And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. », (1 Peter 4:8); it doesn’t fly off the handle at every provocation.

Anger itself is not sinful but can quickly lead to sinful expressions. For this reason, Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” «Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: », (Ephesians 4:26). There are times when we become angry, yet we are called to express our anger in non-sinful, constructive ways. Love will guide us in the proper handling of anger. Jesus Himself was angry on at least one occasion: “He looked around at them in anger . . . deeply distressed.

Jesus was angry at people’s stubborn hearts, «And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. », (Mark 3:5). He was upset by their refusal to acknowledge the truth, but He did not sin, «For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. », (Hebrews 4:15). Instead, He used the situation for good by healing a man’s hand.

Rather than pretending that we will never feel angry, Scripture advises us to be “slow to become angry,” «Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: », (James 1:19). God is “slow to anger, abounding in love,” «But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. », (Psalm 86:15), and this description is quite revealing. The fact that God is measured in His wrath is immediately followed by the truth that He overflows with love. The connection between the two is evident. Love restrains anger, slowing it down for the sake of the one loved.

Having a hot temper usually involves making hasty judgments, seeking instant vindication, and refusing to give second chances. However, true love avoids jumping to conclusions, seeking revenge, or hastily judging anyone.

The fact that love is “not easily angered” emphasizes God’s patient love for the world. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance,” «The Lord is nDo not be negligent regarding his promise, as some people consider negligence; but he is patient towards us, not desiring that anyone should perish, but that all should repent. », (2 Peter 3:9). May God grant us the kind of love that can control our anger.