1 Corinthians 4:12

And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

Our own hands. Although called by God to give himself to the ministry of the gospel, Paul supported himself by manual labor (see Acts 18:3; 20:34; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8, 9).

Being reviled, we bless. The apostles put into practice the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:11, 12, 44). When they were ill-treated they did not retaliate, but suffered patiently. Not only did they refrain from seeking revenge, they returned good for evil (see Acts 27:33-36). The quality of bearing abuse patiently, and doing good to one’s persecutors, is a prominent feature of real Christianity. It is evidence that the Holy Spirit is controlling the individual (see Gal. 5:22). Such an attitude is contrary to worldly philosophy, which teaches defense of one’s rights and prompt retaliation for injuries or slights received from others (see Matt. 5:38-42). The followers of Christ are taught to leave the matter of revenge to the justice of God (see Deut. 32:35; Ps. 94:1, 4-7, 21-23; Rom. 12:19-21; MB 70, 71). There are circumstances in which it is not wrong to entertain a feeling of righteous indignation. It is to be emphasized, however, that such feelings are permissible only when one sees that “God is dishonored, and His service brought into disrepute” (DA 310). The natural, unregenerate heart must be kept crucified and never permitted to attempt to justify itself (see DA 353).