Romans 12:9 kjv
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Romans 12:9 nkjv
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Romans 12:9 niv
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Romans 12:9 esv
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Romans 12:9 nlt
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
Romans 12 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 12:2 | Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. | Basis for discerning good/evil |
| 1 Corinthians 13:6 | Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. | Love's nature toward evil/truth |
| Psalm 97:10 | Hate evil, you who love the LORD. | Old Testament parallel |
| Amos 5:15 | Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. | Old Testament call to action |
| 1 John 3:18 | Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. | Love expressed in deeds |
| Hebrews 1:9 | You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. | Christ's example |
| Genesis 2:24 | That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. | Marriage as example of unity |
| Philippians 1:10 | so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless. | Discernment and purity |
| Galatians 5:6 | the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. | Faith and love connection |
| 1 Peter 1:22 | Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other. | Sincere love from obedience |
| Proverbs 8:13 | To fear the LORD is to hate evil. | Fear of God and hate of evil |
| Matthew 6:24 | No one can serve two masters. | Loyalty required |
| John 13:35 | By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. | Love as identification marker |
| Romans 12:10 | Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. | Brotherly love |
| Romans 12:17 | Do not repay anyone evil for evil. | Action toward evildoers |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:21 | Test everything; hold fast to what is good. | Testing and holding on to good |
| Hebrews 12:14 | Make every effort to live in peace with all people. | Pursuit of peace |
| Colossians 3:10 | and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge. | New self and renewal |
| Ephesians 4:24 | and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. | Put on new self |
| Romans 6:12 | Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body. | Abstaining from sin |
Romans 12 verses
Romans 12 9 Meaning
Love must be genuine. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. This verse is a foundational exhortation for authentic Christian living, emphasizing a clear moral compass guided by love. It calls for a conscious and active rejection of sin and a steadfast pursuit of righteousness, all rooted in sincere affection for others.
Romans 12 9 Context
Romans chapter 12 begins a new section where Paul transitions from doctrinal teaching to practical instructions for Christian living. Following the profound theological discourse on God's grace and salvation in chapters 1-11, Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This transformed life is to be lived out through the various spiritual gifts within the body of Christ. Romans 12:9-21 provides specific directives on how believers should relate to one another and to the world, emphasizing selfless love, humility, hospitality, and overcoming evil with good.
Romans 12 9 Word Analysis
- ἀγαπη (agapē) - Love, particularly the unconditional, self-sacrificing love characteristic of God. It's not mere affection or emotion, but a volitional act.
- ἀνυποκριτος (anypokritos) - Unhypocritical, without dissimulation, genuine, sincere. It implies an absence of pretense or fakery.
- ἀποστυγεοντες (apostygeōntes) - Detesting, abhorring. From apo (from) and stygeō (to hate, detest). It signifies a strong, aversion-based rejection of something.
- τὸ κακόν (to kakon) - The evil. Refers to moral wickedness, wrongdoing, and that which is inherently bad or harmful.
- κολλωμενοι (kollomenoi) - Clinging, sticking fast, being joined closely to. From kollaō (to glue, join). Implies a steadfast, persistent attachment.
- τῷ αγαθῷ (tōi agathōi) - To the good. Refers to moral goodness, that which is upright, virtuous, and pleasing to God.
Grouped Words:
- "Love must be genuine" (ἡ ἀγαπη ἀνυποκριτος): This phrase establishes the essential quality of Christian love. It must be pure, sincere, and without pretense. This stands in contrast to superficial or performative acts of kindness.
- "Detest what is evil; cling to what is good" (ἀποστυγεοντες τὸ κακόν· κολλωμενοι τῳ αγαθῷ): This pair of commands presents two sides of the same coin. An authentic love for God and others will naturally lead to a deep aversion for evil and a firm adherence to good. The use of participles suggests that this is an ongoing practice flowing from the nature of genuine love.
Romans 12 9 Bonus Section
The concepts of loving good and hating evil have strong precedents in the Old Testament, frequently appearing in the Psalms and the Prophets (e.g., Psalm 97:10, Amos 5:15). This highlights the consistent moral framework of God's revelation. Furthermore, the verse’s call to detach from evil and attach to good reflects the biblical concept of sanctification – the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ by setting oneself apart from sin and dedicating oneself to righteousness. The juxtaposition of "detest" and "cling" also speaks to the disciplined nature of Christian discipleship, requiring conscious effort and reliance on God’s strength to navigate the moral complexities of life.
Romans 12 9 Commentary
The call for genuine love in Romans 12:9 is paramount. It's the bedrock upon which all other Christian behavior in this chapter rests. This isn't an emotional outburst, but a principled commitment, demonstrated through action and adherence to divine standards. Detesting evil is not merely an absence of sin, but an active hostility toward it. Likewise, clinging to good involves a deliberate and persistent embrace of all that is righteous and God-honoring. This balance is crucial; one without the other would create an incomplete or compromised witness. This dual commitment is a spiritual discipline, nurtured by the Holy Spirit.
- Practical Usage Example: When facing a situation that tempts dishonesty, a believer, remembering this verse, would not only refuse to lie but would also actively seek ways to be truthful and helpful in that same context.