Jumpstarter 5 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion

Question 5

The author says love “never injures or exacts revenge” and “does good to all according to the image of God”—in what concrete situations (family conflict, politics, online arguments, church disputes) do you feel most tempted to justify injury or revenge, and what would “common good” love require instead?

Another way to ask: In what situations do you most feel like hurting back or getting revenge (family, politics, online, church)? What would loving the common good look like instead?

Direct Answer According to the transcript, love refuses to injure or retaliate—even when wronged—and instead acts for the neighbor’s good because every person bears God’s image; “common good” love would replace revenge with active, practical good.

Support from Transcript:

“Love works no injury to one’s neighbor… It never injures or exacts revenge.”
Love “does good to all according to the image of God,” giving a reason to treat even opponents with care.
“Love is the fulfillment of the law,” suggesting love is not optional but the core of obedience.
Earlier framing: love “seeks the common good,” not simply personal victory.
Love “bears all things and suffers all things,” implying willingness to absorb cost rather than strike back.

Discussion Follow-ups Where do you most excuse “necessary” harm—sarcasm, shaming, cutting words, political contempt? What would it mean to choose the other person’s good when you feel they don’t deserve it?

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