Romans 12:9
Romans 12:9 in Multiple Translations
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Let love be without deceit. Be haters of what is evil; keep your minds fixed on what is good.
Love must be genuine. Hate what is evil; hold on tightly to what is good.
Let loue be without dissimulation. Abhorre that which is euill, and cleaue vnto that which is good.
The love unfeigned: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good;
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good.
Love others sincerely! Hate what is evil! Continue to eagerly do what God considers to be good!
Don’t just pretend to love other people. You have to love them properly. That means you have to hate everything that is bad for them and love everything that is good for them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Romans 12:9
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Romans 12:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Romans 12:9
Study Notes — Romans 12:9
- Context
- Cross References
- Romans 12:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Romans 12:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 12:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 12:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Romans 12:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 12:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 12:9
- Cambridge Bible on Romans 12:9
- Barnes' Notes on Romans 12:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Romans 12:9
- Sermons on Romans 12:9
Context — Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality
9Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. 11Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 34:14 | Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. |
| 2 | 1 Peter 4:8 | Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. |
| 3 | 1 Timothy 1:5 | The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. |
| 4 | 1 John 3:18–20 | Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. |
| 5 | 1 Peter 3:10–11 | For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. |
| 6 | 1 Thessalonians 5:21 | but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. |
| 7 | Psalms 101:3 | I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. |
| 8 | 1 Peter 1:22 | Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart. |
| 9 | Amos 5:15 | Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” |
| 10 | Psalms 97:10 | Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. |
Romans 12:9 Summary
This verse reminds us that our love for others must be real and genuine, without pretending or hypocrisy. We should hate what is evil and love what is good, just like God does, as seen in Psalms 97:10. This means being honest and kind in our relationships, and promoting good values and behaviors, as encouraged in Philippians 4:8-9. By doing so, we can build strong and healthy relationships with others, and reflect God's love in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for love to be sincere?
For love to be sincere, it must be genuine and without hypocrisy, as seen in Romans 12:9, and demonstrated in our actions, as Jesus taught in Matthew 22:37-40, where we are to love God and our neighbors with all our heart, soul, and mind.
How can we detest what is evil and cling to what is good?
We can detest what is evil by turning away from sinful behaviors and thoughts, as warned in Psalms 101:3, and cling to what is good by following God's commandments and principles, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 30:19.
Is it possible to love someone and still hate their evil actions?
Yes, it is possible to love someone and still hate their evil actions, as seen in the example of God's love for us, where He hates sin but loves the sinner, as expressed in Proverbs 6:16-19 and Romans 5:8.
How does this verse relate to our relationships with others?
This verse relates to our relationships with others by reminding us to love them sincerely, which involves being honest and genuine in our interactions, as taught in Ephesians 4:25, and to promote good and discourage evil, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can show sincere love to those around me today?
- How can I discern what is evil and what is good in my daily life, and make choices that align with God's will?
- What are some evil actions or behaviors that I need to detest and turn away from in my own life?
- How can I balance loving someone with confronting and addressing their evil actions, without being judgmental or hypocritical?
- What are some good things that I can cling to and promote in my relationships and community?
Gill's Exposition on Romans 12:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 12:9
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 12:9
Trapp's Commentary on Romans 12:9
Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 12:9
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 12:9
Cambridge Bible on Romans 12:9
Barnes' Notes on Romans 12:9
Whedon's Commentary on Romans 12:9
Sermons on Romans 12:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sharing the Grief of God by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by thanking God for his blessings and acknowledging Jesus and the Holy Ghost. He asks for forgiveness for forgetting what God has done and prays |
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Getting Used to the Dark (Alternate) by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the destructive trends in society, particularly in the behavior of children. He emphasizes the importance of self-assertiveness and discipline |
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Many Aspire, Few Attain by Walter A. Henrichsen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering and reviewing the truths of the Bible. He encourages the audience to hold tenaciously to these truths and make |
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Boiling for Christ by John Piper | In this sermon, Pastor John Piper emphasizes the importance of wholeheartedly loving and serving the Lord. He encourages believers to have intensity and focus in their devotion to |
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(Romans) Romans 12:1-8 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of a lack of fellowship in churches. He emphasizes that the problem is not a lack of activity or programs, but rather a higher estim |
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Collection of a.w. Tozer's Prayers - Volume 1 by A.W. Tozer | The sermon transcript emphasizes the importance of hating sin and loving righteousness. It encourages listeners to flee from iniquity and pursue godliness. The speaker also highlig |
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His Majestic Birth by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the concept of God's love and its significance in the world. He emphasizes the depth and incomprehensibility of God's love, describing it as |







