Love is not resentful (v.5)

“Love is not resentful.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

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The ability to recall quicklythe wrongs done to us is a sign of resentment. Though in fact it’s not even necessary to know someone personally for us to resent them – when the name of a gifted individual is mentioned appreciatively, a resentful spirit will be pleased to point out some fault or to mention some undermining gossip. “The resentful heart cannot bear not to be superior” (Sinclair Ferguson).

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In contrast, love delights to see other people being honoured. The word translated “resentful” literally means “to keep count of wrongs”. Resentment builds when we reckon up grudges and bank them in the memory store, waiting for an opportunity to retaliate.

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Jesus had grounds for resentment. He came to this world for our benefit, not his, but his own people did not receive him (John 1:11). Instead he was rejected and killed. Yet through that death comes the power to deliver us from resentment. When we know in the heart that the Father himself loves us (John 16:27) and that we have become children of God (John 1:12) then hurts don’t need to be counted because we count instead on our Father’s love.