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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 13:34-35 | "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another... By this all people will know that you are my disciples..." | Love is a hallmark of discipleship. |
| 1 Pet 1:22 | "Having purified your souls... for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart." | Emphasizes pure, unfeigned love. |
| 1 Tim 1:5 | "The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." | The source of genuine love. |
| Jas 2:15-16 | "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed... and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace...' without giving them things needed... what good is that?" | Illustrates insincere love in action. |
| 1 Jn 3:18 | "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." | Love demonstrated through actions. |
| 2 Cor 6:6 | "...by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love..." | Genuine love listed as a mark of ministry. |
| Ps 15:2 | "He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart..." | Truthfulness in inner disposition. |
| Ps 97:10 | "You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints..." | God's people are to actively hate evil. |
| Prov 8:13 | "The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil... I hate." | Wisdom entails a rejection of evil. |
| Amo 5:15 | "Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate..." | Prophetic call to oppose evil, seek good. |
| Rom 16:19 | "...so I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil." | Discernment between good and evil. |
| Eph 5:11 | "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." | Separation from evil practices. |
| 1 Thes 5:22 | "Abstain from every form of evil." | A comprehensive command to avoid evil. |
| Ps 5:4-6 | "For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you." | God's own character hates evil. |
| 1 Pet 3:11 | "let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it." | Active turning from evil and pursuing good. |
| Php 4:8 | "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable... think about these things." | Focusing thoughts on what is good. |
| 1 Thes 5:21 | "but test everything; hold fast what is good." | Discerning and retaining the good. |
| Dt 30:20 | "by loving the LORD your God, by obeying his voice and by holding fast to him, for he is your life..." | Clinging to God as the ultimate good. |
| Jos 23:8 | "but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day." | Steadfast loyalty to God. |
| Gal 6:10 | "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone..." | An active call to perform good deeds. |
| Jas 1:17 | "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." | God is the source of all good. |
Romans 12 verses
Romans 12 9 Meaning
Romans 12:9 calls for authentic and sincere love (agape) among believers, free from any pretense or deceit. This genuine love is then characterized by two active and opposing responses: an intense repulsion of all that is evil and a steadfast, unwavering devotion to all that is morally excellent and beneficial. It's a foundational command for Christian conduct, marking a distinctive lifestyle rooted in a transformed heart and mind.
Romans 12 9 Context
Romans chapter 12 marks a pivotal shift in Paul's epistle, moving from profound theological doctrine (Romans 1-11) to practical Christian living. Following his call in Romans 12:1-2 for believers to present themselves as living sacrifices and to have their minds renewed rather than conforming to the world, Paul proceeds to outline specific exhortations for conduct within the body of Christ and towards others. Verse 9 inaugurates a series of ethical commands (Rom 12:9-21) that describe what the transformed life looks like, emphasizing love as the fundamental guiding principle for all subsequent actions. The historical context of Rome, with its diverse moral standards and social pressures, underscores the distinct counter-cultural ethic Paul calls Christians to embrace, marked by genuine faith and moral integrity rather than societal norms or mere outward appearance.
Romans 12 9 Word analysis
- Let love: The primary command. Love here is ἀγάπη (agapē), referring to self-sacrificial, divine love that characterizes God and is commanded of believers. It's not mere emotional affection but a volitional commitment.
- be without hypocrisy: ἀνυπόκριτος (anypokritos). This word means "unfeigned," "sincere," or "genuine." It directly confronts pretense, insincerity, or acting. The Greek root refers to an actor (ὑποκριτής) wearing a mask, indicating a disingenuous presentation of self or motives. Christian love must be authentic and transparent.
- Abhor: ἀποστυγοῦντες (apostygoūntes). A strong present participle, meaning "hating intensely," "detesting with loathing," or "recoiling from with aversion." It conveys a visceral, continuous, and absolute repulsion. It's more than simply disapproving; it's actively, strongly repulsing evil.
- what is evil: τὸ πονηρόν (to ponēron). This refers to anything inherently wicked, malicious, harmful, or morally bad. It's evil in an active, destructive sense, not merely passive badness. Christians are commanded to vigorously reject such things.
- cling to: κολλώμενοι (kollōmenoi). Another strong present participle, meaning "holding fast to," "cleaving to," or "being glued to." It implies a continuous, unyielding, and devoted attachment or union. This commitment should be as strong as the repulsion of evil.
- what is good: τῷ ἀγαθῷ (tō agathō). This refers to what is inherently good, noble, righteous, morally excellent, beneficial, and advantageous. It encompasses everything that aligns with God's character and purpose. Christians are to intentionally and steadfastly unite with goodness.
Words-group analysis:
- Let love be without hypocrisy: This phrase establishes the foundational quality of all Christian interaction. The love mandated is not for show or convenience but springs from a pure and honest heart, reflecting God's own love that is never false. It's an internal authenticity expressed externally.
- Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good: These two powerful participles ("abhorring," "clinging") serve as complementary commands. They describe the active, dynamic outworking of genuine love. Sincere love isn't passive or tolerant of all things; it is fiercely discriminative. It means decisively rejecting anything that stands contrary to God's moral order and unyieldingly embracing everything aligned with it. This twin command defines the moral boundaries and proactive engagement required of a renewed mind.
Romans 12 9 Bonus section
The injunction "Let love be without hypocrisy" sets the stage for the practical implications of Romans 12:1-2, where the renewal of the mind (metanoia) directly translates into authentic, Christ-like conduct. The "agape" commanded here is supernaturally empowered, as it is born from the Holy Spirit's work in the believer. This verse, with its strong language of "abhorring" and "clinging," underscores that Christian maturity involves robust moral discrimination—not relativism. It’s a call to conscious, continuous ethical alignment, a constant vigilance against compromise with evil and a fervent devotion to upholding divine goodness. This integrated approach highlights that sincerity of heart is validated by its moral direction: an aversion to what offends God and an attraction to what pleases Him.
Romans 12 9 Commentary
Romans 12:9 succinctly encapsulates the ethical mandate for believers, demanding a love that is pure, profound, and profoundly practical. This "agape" is far from a sentimental feeling; it is a transformative principle, demanding honesty and moral discernment. The absence of hypocrisy ensures integrity, meaning one's outward expression matches their inward disposition. Furthermore, genuine love cannot be morally neutral; it actively takes a side. It passionately rejects (abhors) evil, reflecting God's own character which is diametrically opposed to wickedness. Simultaneously, this love eagerly embraces (clings to) all that is good, holding it fast with unwavering devotion. This isn't merely avoiding bad but vigorously pursuing good, creating a lifestyle marked by clear moral boundaries and positive engagement in righteousness. It defines Christian virtue not as absence of fault, but as passionate embrace of Christ-like character and action. For instance, in relationships, genuine love means actively seeking a friend's well-being and speaking truth, not simply offering empty pleasantries. It means recognizing and rejecting gossip or slander, while actively seeking opportunities to affirm and encourage others in what is wholesome.