Category
124 Bible verses about Offense, offending
When you face hurts, you can find real comfort and guidance in Scripture. God's word reminds us that He is our refuge and strength, especially when things get tough.
Facing hurts with humility and forgiveness can truly heal your wounds and restore relationships. Loving your neighbor is a fundamental command, and that includes loving your enemies and blessing those who persecute you. I know it's a challenge, but it's part of what God calls us to as His followers.
The Bible teaches us that offenses are just a part of life. But it also encourages us to handle them in a way that honors God and leads to reconciliation. In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus gives us key instruction on forgiveness: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’"
This passage tells me that Jesus wants us to have hearts that don't hold onto bitterness and resentment. He wants us to forgive others, just as our Heavenly Father has forgiven us.
For even Christ did not please [just] Himself, but as it is written [Psa. 69:9], “The insults of those people who insulted you [i.e., God] fell on me [i.e., Christ].”
Therefore, if you are offering your [sacrificial] gift on the Altar and [just then] you remember that your brother has a grievance against you,[stop right there]; leave your gift at the Altar and [immediately] go to that brother and settle the matter first, before returning to offer your gift.
and be kind and compassionate toward one another, forgiving each other, just as God also forgave you [because of your fellowship] in Christ.
Tolerate one another’s [weaknesses] and forgive each other if anyone [of you] has a complaint against someone else. You should forgive people just as the Lord forgave you.
Do not take revenge on someone who has wronged you, but leave it up to God’s wrath [to take care of it], for it is written [Deut. 22:35], “The Lord says, I will pay people back [for doing wrong] because taking revenge belongs to me.”
“And if your brother sins against you go and show him where he wronged you, [but] keep it between just the two of you. If he listens to you [i.e., accepts your reasoning and repents], you have won your brother [back].
Do not repay a wrong action with [another] wrong action, nor abusive [language] with [additional] abuse, but rather be a blessing [to one another]. For the purpose of your being called [by God] was so that you could receive a blessing [from Him eventually].
For if you forgive the wrongs people have done [to you], your heavenly Father will also forgive the wrongs you have done [to Him].But if you do not forgive the wrongs people have done [to you], neither will your Father forgive the wrongs you have done [to Him].
So, we should stop judging one another any more. But instead, you people should determine not to put anything in your brother’s way [to cause him] to trip or fall [away from God].
Pay attention to yourselves! “If your brother sins, rebuke him [i.e., show him where he is wrong in hope of effecting a change]; and if he repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], forgive him.And if he sins against you seven times a day and [then] comes to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you should forgive him.”
You people [already] know this [or, “you should know this”], my dearly loved brothers. However, every person should be quick to listen, slow to talk and slow in becoming angry.For the anger of people does not produce what God considers to be right.
“Do not pass [condemning] judgment [on other people] so that you do not receive such judgment [on yourselves].For the way you judge [other people] is the way you [yourselves] will be judged. And the standard you use [for dealing] with others is the standard that they [and God] will use on you.
[Psa. 4:4 says], “Be angry [i.e., at wrongdoing. See Mark 3:5], but do not sin [i.e., by harboring bitterness or retaliation].” Do not allow the sun to go down while you are still provoked.
[So], it is better [for you] not to eat bread, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything [else] that could cause your brother to fall [away from God].
Do not [do what could] cause Jews, Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] or the church of God to fall [away from God].
“Those persons who attempt to make peace [between people] are blessed because they will be called God’s children.
Then the head priest tore at his clothing [i.e., as an expression of frustration], saying, “He has spoken against God [i.e., by claiming Deity for Himself]. What additional need do we have for witnesses? Look, you [yourselves] have now heard him speaking against God.
Do not do anything from rivalry or from empty conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves.Each of you should not look out for your own interests [only], but also for those of other people.
Above everything else, have a warm love for one another, for such a love keeps many sins from occurring [between you].
The Jews answered Him, “We are not stoning you for a good deed, but for your abusive speech [i.e., about God], and because you are claiming to be God, even though you are [only] a man.”
Then Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times?”Jesus replied, “I tell you, not [just] up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven [i.e., a large indefinite number of times].
So, put away from you all [kinds of] bitterness and anger and wrath and brawling and slander, along with all [kinds of] malice [i.e., bad attitudes],
So then, let us pursue such things that produce peace and things that build one another up [spiritually].
[Love] does not act improperly [toward people]; it does not insist on having its own way [at the expense of others]; it is not easily irritated [by others]; it does not keep track of the wrongs [done by others].
So, as God’s elect [i.e., His people], holy and dearly loved [by Him], clothe yourselves with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.Tolerate one another’s [weaknesses] and forgive each other if anyone [of you] has a complaint against someone else. You should forgive people just as the Lord forgave you.
Therefore, you should put out of your lives all malice [i.e., bad attitudes], and all deceit and hypocrisy, and all envy and unwholesome talk.
Therefore, everything that you would like people to do to you, do [these things] to them also. For this is [what is required by] the Law of Moses and the prophets.
But if you [unlovingly] bite and eat one another [i.e., figuratively], be careful that you do not totally consume one another.
Live in a loving way, just like Christ loved us and gave Himself up [to die] for us as an offering and fragrant smelling sacrifice to God.
Actively seek to live in peace with all people. And be dedicated to God, because no one will see God without this.
Make sure that no one does anything wrong [back] to someone who wrongs him, but always look for something good you can do for one another and for everyone.
For the Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but be kind toward everyone, capable of teaching, [and] patient [with difficult people and situations].
Loved ones, we should have love for one another, because love comes from [the very nature of] God, and every person who [continually] loves [others] has been [spiritually] conceived by God [See 2:29; 3:9], and knows [he is in fellowship with] God.The person who does not love [others] does not know God [as Savior], for [the very nature of] God is love.
Now those of us who are strong [spiritually] should put up with [or, help] the failings of [spiritually] weak people, and not [simply] do what pleases ourselves.[Instead], each of us should do what pleases his neighbor in order to accomplish something good and uplifting [in his life].
But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere.[People who are] peacemakers sow [seeds of] peace and it produces a crop of righteousness [in the lives of others].
If it is at all possible, as far as your part is concerned, live peacefully with all people.Do not take revenge on someone who has wronged you, but leave it up to God’s wrath [to take care of it], for it is written [Deut. 22:35], “The Lord says, I will pay people back [for doing wrong] because taking revenge belongs to me.”But [Prov. 25:21-25 says], “Feed your enemy if he is hungry; give him something to drink if he is thirsty. For when you do this, it will be [like] heaping burning coals on his head.” [i.e., it can cause him burning shame that can lead to his repentance and ultimate forgiveness].
“You have heard what was said [Exodus 21:24], ‘Take an eye [from someone] if he takes yours, and take a tooth [from someone] if he takes yours.’But I tell you, do not offer resistance to an evil person, but whoever hits you on the right side of the face, allow him [to hit you] on the other side also.
Do not allow unwholesome [Note: The Greek word for “unwholesome” is “rotten, diseased”] language to come from your mouth, but only what is helpful for building up those who need it, so that you can impart favor [i.e., benefit] to those who listen [to you].
But instead, set aside a place in your hearts where Christ is [in full control as] Lord, and be prepared always to give a suitable reply to every person who asks you for a reason why you have an inner hope. But [be sure you do it] in a meek and respectful way, however.May your conscience be able to so approve of your conduct that, even if you are ridiculed, those doing it will [eventually] have to be ashamed [of themselves] for criticizing your Christian behavior.
And forgive us of the wrongs we have done to others, since we have also forgiven the wrongs done to us.
Your speech should always be favorable, seasoned with salt [i.e., interesting and appropriate], so that you may know how to properly answer each person [you talk with].
Brothers, if any one of you is overwhelmed by a [particular] sin, those of you who are spiritually minded should [attempt to] restore such a person [to faithfulness]. But do it in a gentle way, being very careful that you yourself do not become tempted [to get involved in any sin].
Now whomever you forgive [for doing] anything [wrong], I will forgive also. For indeed, whatever I have forgiven, if I have [actually] forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the sight of Christ. [Note: Paul seems to be saying “Since my forgiveness depends on your forgiveness of the man, I am not sure of my forgiveness because I am not sure of yours”].[I do this] so that Satan cannot take advantage of us, for we are not unaware of his schemes.
If anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, this person is self-deceived and his religion is worthless.
You should let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near. [Note: This “nearness” could refer to Christ’s second coming or to His nearness to His people in a spiritual sense].
For [Psalm 39:12 says], “The person who loves [his] life and wants to have happy days, should avoid saying anything bad or deceptive.He should turn away from wrong living and do what is good. He should desire peace and do whatever it takes to maintain it.
“It will be too bad for the world because of occasions that cause people to fall away [from God]! For it is inevitable that such occasions come, but it is too bad for that person who is responsible for causing it to happen.
But you should welcome [into your fellowship] the person whose faith is weak, and not argue [with him] over questionable matters.
But pay attention[to this], so that somehow this liberty of yours [i.e., to eat whatever you want to] does not become an occasion over which weak people could fall [away from God].
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that occasions which cause people to be led astray [from God] will come, but it is too bad for that person who is responsible for it happening.
Therefore, if [eating certain] foods causes my brother to fall away [from God], I will never eat meat again, so I do not cause my brother to fall away.
But that person who causes one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of the Lord] who believes in me to be led astray [from God], he would have been better off to have had a huge millstone tied around his neck and been dumped into a deep ocean [Note: This “millstone” was a heavy circular stone rolled over grain to crush it and was moved by an animal walking in a circle].
And I say to you, a person will [have to] give an account [to God] on the Day of Judgment for every careless word he had spoken [while on earth].For you will be considered righteous by the words [you speak] and you will be condemned by the words [you speak].”
Indeed, the fact that you have lawsuits with one another is [evidence of] a complete failure among you. Why should you not rather take the wrong? Why should you not rather accept being cheated?But [instead], you yourselves do the wrong and cheat [others], and you do this to [Christian] brothers!
And you fathers [Note: This word probably includes both parents], do not stir up your children to become angry, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
You fathers [Note: By implication, this would include both parents] should not stir up your children [i.e., irritate or exasperate them], so that they do not become discouraged.
You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me.
Do not complain against one another, brothers, so that you will not [have to] be judged [and condemned for it]. Look, the Judge [i.e., Christ] is standing at the door! [See verse 8].
Live in a humble, gentle and patient way, showing tolerance [for the weaknesses] of one another out of love [for them].Eagerly try to maintain the unity produced by the Holy Spirit by being bound together in peace.
“Everything is permissible [to do];” but not everything is profitable [See note at 6:12]. “Everything is permissible [to do];” but not everything builds [people] up.No one should look out for his own interests [only], but for the interests of others [as well].
But why do you [who eat only certain foods] condemn your brother [who feels he can eat anything]? Or, indeed, why do you [i.e., who feels he can eat anything] look down on your brother [i.e., who eats only certain foods]? For all of us will have to stand before the judgment bar of God.
When He was spoken to with harsh insults, He did not reply in the same way. When He was made to suffer, He did not threaten [His tormentors], but instead entrusted Himself to God, [whom He knew] would make a righteous judgment [in the matter].
In your love for your brothers, show tender affection toward one another. Try to outdo one another in showing respect [for each other].
I am giving you a new commandment: love one another. Also you should love one another in the same way that I have loved you.If you love one another, then everyone will know by [observing] this that you are my disciples.”
[However], the person who loves his brother continues to live in [harmony with] the light [of God’s truth], and such a person is not the cause of others stumbling [over his example].