Feeling offended is something we all experience at one point or another. Whether from a hurtful word or an action that stings, the Bible offers wisdom on how to handle offense in ways that build peace and nurture forgiveness.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Putting Vaccines In Your Body
Bible Verses About Being Offended
Matthew 5:39 – Turn the other cheek when someone offends you
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” – Matthew 5:39
Proverbs 19:11 – A person’s wisdom makes them slow to anger and overlooks offenses
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” – Proverbs 19:11
Proverbs 12:16 – A wise person ignores insults and remains calm
“Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.” – Proverbs 12:16
Colossians 3:13 – Forgive others as the Lord forgave you
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
1 Corinthians 13:5 – Love does not keep a record of wrongs
“It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:5
Proverbs 17:9 – Love covers over all offenses
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
James 1:19 – Be slow to become angry
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19
Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Proverbs 20:22 – Do not seek revenge
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.” – Proverbs 20:22
Proverbs 14:29 – One who is patient has great understanding
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” – Proverbs 14:29
Matthew 18:21-22 – Forgive others seventy times seven
“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.’” – Matthew 18:21-22
Proverbs 29:11 – Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” – Proverbs 29:11
Romans 12:20 – Overcome evil with good
“On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’” – Romans 12:20
Proverbs 22:24 – Do not make friends with an angry person
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.” – Proverbs 22:24
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate, forgiving one another
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgive others so that God will forgive you
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Proverbs 16:32 – Patience is better than strength
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” – Proverbs 16:32
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 – Do not take to heart every word people say or you may hear your servant cursing you
“Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you— for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.” – Ecclesiastes 7:21-22
Proverbs 25:21-22 – Show kindness to your enemies and God will reward you
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” – Proverbs 25:21-22
1 Peter 3:9 – Do not repay evil with evil, but repay evil with blessing
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9
Proverbs 19:19 – A hot-tempered person must bear the consequences
“A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.” – Proverbs 19:19
Matthew 6:15 – If you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:15
Luke 6:28 – Bless those who curse you
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:28
Proverbs 12:18 – The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18
1 Peter 2:23 – Jesus did not retaliate when he was insulted
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” – 1 Peter 2:23
Proverbs 18:19 – A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city
“An offended sibling is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.” – Proverbs 18:19
Matthew 18:15 – If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault privately
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” – Matthew 18:15
Proverbs 10:12 – Love covers all offenses
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” – Proverbs 10:12
James 4:1 – Quarrels and fights come from the desires that battle within you
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” – James 4:1
Proverbs 15:18 – A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but a patient person calms a quarrel
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” – Proverbs 15:18
Matthew 18:15-17 – If a fellow believer sins against you, confront them privately
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” – Matthew 18:15-17
Proverbs 15:17 – Better a meal of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred
“Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.” – Proverbs 15:17
Luke 17:3-4 – If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him
“So watch yourselves. ‘If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying “I repent,” you must forgive them.’” – Luke 17:3-4
Proverbs 29:22 – An angry person stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered person abounds in transgression
“An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.” – Proverbs 29:22
Luke 11:4 – Forgive others as God has forgiven you
“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.”” – Luke 11:4
Proverbs 29:9 – A wise person keeps their anger under control
“If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.” – Proverbs 29:9
Psalm 37:8 – Refrain from anger and turn from wrath
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” – Psalm 37:8
Ephesians 4:26 – Be angry, but do not sin
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” – Ephesians 4:26
Proverbs 15:13 – A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:13
Matthew 18:6 – It is better to drown oneself than to cause offense to a little one
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” – Matthew 18:6
Proverbs 15:28 – The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer
“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” – Proverbs 15:28
1 Peter 5:6-7 – Cast your anxieties on God because he cares for you
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7