Love Cannot Be Provoked

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 1 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

Today, let’s look at the segment of the verse that is rendered “not easily provoked.” The translators must have been so incredulous at the thought of never being provoked (paroxuno) that they felt compelled to add the word “easily.” It does seem like an impossibly exacting rule of thought and emotion. We must remember that we are not here speaking of natural love, but are speaking of the very nature and character of God who is love and whose mercies are new every morning.

Nevertheless, the word used for not (ou) is an absolute negative that emphasizes that Love cannot be provoked (paroxuno). It is like saying, no, love cannot be stimulated, spurred on, nor urged enough to become irritated or be aroused to anger. You cannot exasperate love enough to provoke someone enveloped in it to burn with anger.

Is this really possible? Of course it is. We learn to deal with those things that might provoke us to anger in the same day.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Ephesians 4:26 (KJV)

Even more importantly, we learn to forgive them before they stir the need to be dealt with.

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Luke 17:3-4 (KJV)

The Lord is just (righteous altogether) and must punish sin. This is not a side of God that the believer will ever see.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV)

Unto us He is ready to forgive and He is filled with mercy.

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Psalm 86:5 (KJV)

He, Love, cannot be provoked where we are concerned.