100 Bible Verses about Offense

Proverbs 18:19 ESV / 1,915 helpful votes

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 19:11 ESV / 1,745 helpful votes

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 1,611 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 ESV / 1,319 helpful votes

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.

Matthew 18:7 ESV / 1,263 helpful votes

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

Luke 17:3-4 ESV / 1,181 helpful votes

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

1 Peter 2:23 ESV / 1,168 helpful votes

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 1,044 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

James 1:19 ESV / 957 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

James 3:16 ESV / 944 helpful votes

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 940 helpful votes

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:32 ESV / 912 helpful votes

Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,

Ephesians 4:2-3 ESV / 887 helpful votes

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Psalm 119:165 ESV / 839 helpful votes

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 814 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Matthew 7:1-5 ESV / 813 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Galatians 6:1-3 ESV / 805 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Luke 17:1-2 ESV / 798 helpful votes

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 797 helpful votes

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Acts 24:16 ESV / 782 helpful votes

So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

Psalm 55:12-15 ESV / 766 helpful votes

For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng. Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 755 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 732 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 634 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

1 Corinthians 13:5 ESV / 599 helpful votes

Or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 584 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 582 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 18:17 ESV / 564 helpful votes

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 18:21-35 ESV / 549 helpful votes

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ...

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 531 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Matthew 5:23-24 ESV / 525 helpful votes

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 522 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Matthew 24:9-10 ESV / 518 helpful votes

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

Luke 17:4 ESV / 513 helpful votes

And if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Luke 17:1 ESV / 501 helpful votes

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 490 helpful votes

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 486 helpful votes

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Matthew 18:6 ESV / 485 helpful votes

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 16:23 ESV / 464 helpful votes

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

1 Corinthians 1:23 ESV / 460 helpful votes

But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

Colossians 3:13 ESV / 444 helpful votes

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Matthew 24:10 ESV / 443 helpful votes

And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV / 438 helpful votes

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 424 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 402 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Romans 12:17-19 ESV / 402 helpful votes

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Luke 23:34 ESV / 402 helpful votes

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

James 3:2 ESV / 401 helpful votes

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

1 Corinthians 8:9-13 ESV / 398 helpful votes

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Matthew 11:6 ESV / 388 helpful votes

And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 385 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Luke 6:30 ESV / 382 helpful votes

Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

Luke 6:28-36 ESV / 382 helpful votes

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ...

Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV / 381 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Matthew 5:39-42 ESV / 378 helpful votes

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 372 helpful votes

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

Matthew 20:20-26 ESV / 371 helpful votes

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. ...

Romans 14:21 ESV / 366 helpful votes

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

James 1:12 ESV / 365 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Matthew 18:16 ESV / 361 helpful votes

But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

2 Corinthians 6:3 ESV / 356 helpful votes

We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,

Galatians 5:11 ESV / 340 helpful votes

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 318 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Matthew 17:27 ESV / 318 helpful votes

However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Romans 2:4 ESV / 317 helpful votes

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Proverbs 17:14 ESV / 317 helpful votes

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV / 316 helpful votes

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Romans 14:1 ESV / 316 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV / 315 helpful votes

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Deuteronomy 19:15 ESV / 307 helpful votes

“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.

Isaiah 8:14 ESV / 304 helpful votes

And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

1 Peter 2:8 ESV / 299 helpful votes

And “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Romans 5:5 ESV / 299 helpful votes

And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

1 Corinthians 8:1 ESV / 298 helpful votes

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

Matthew 6:12 ESV / 298 helpful votes

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Proverbs 12:16 ESV / 296 helpful votes

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Luke 17:3 ESV / 295 helpful votes

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,

1 John 3:15 ESV / 292 helpful votes

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Matthew 5:38-42 ESV / 275 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 270 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 270 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Galatians 5:26 ESV / 264 helpful votes

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Romans 3:23 ESV / 258 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 Peter 4:14 ESV / 257 helpful votes

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Ephesians 4:18 ESV / 256 helpful votes

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Proverbs 9:7-9 ESV / 253 helpful votes

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 244 helpful votes

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 241 helpful votes

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Matthew 18:21 ESV / 237 helpful votes

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

Matthew 24:10-12 ESV / 204 helpful votes

And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Galatians 5:14 ESV / 196 helpful votes

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 191 helpful votes

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

2 Thessalonians 2:2 ESV / 184 helpful votes

Not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

Ephesians 4:6 ESV / 181 helpful votes

One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Romans 16:17 ESV / 180 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Mark 9:42 ESV / 175 helpful votes

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Romans 9:32 ESV / 170 helpful votes

Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,

2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 169 helpful votes

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Jeremiah 37:18 ESV / 147 helpful votes

Jeremiah also said to King Zedekiah, “What wrong have I done to you or your servants or this people, that you have put me in prison?

Matthew 18:13 ESV / 128 helpful votes

And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

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