Romans 12:9

[Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Let love {G26} be without dissimulation {G505}. Abhor {G655} that which is evil {G4190}; cleave {G2853} to that which is good {G18}.

Don’t let love be a mere outward show. Recoil from what is evil, and cling to what is good.

Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Romans 12:9 (KJV): "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

Context

Romans chapter 12 marks a significant shift in Paul's letter, moving from profound theological exposition (chapters 1-11) to practical Christian living. Having established the basis of salvation by grace through faith, Paul now exhorts believers on how to live out their faith in daily life, starting with the transformation of the mind (Romans 12:2). Verse 9 begins a series of specific instructions regarding relationships within the Christian community and with the world, emphasizing authentic and genuine conduct.

Key Themes

  • Authentic Love: The primary command is for love to be genuine, not merely an outward show.
  • Rejection of Evil: Believers are called to have a strong, visceral aversion to evil in all its forms.
  • Commitment to Goodness: Conversely, Christians are to actively embrace and hold fast to what is good and righteous.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version's phrasing captures the force of the original Greek:

  • "Without dissimulation": The Greek word is anupokritos (ἀνυπόκριτος), meaning "unhypocritical," "sincere," "genuine," or "without pretense." It contrasts with the behavior of an actor wearing a mask (hypokrites). True Christian love must be real, not faked for appearance or gain. This echoes similar calls for sincerity found elsewhere, such as in 2 Corinthians 6:6.
  • "Abhor": This translates the strong Greek verb apostugeo (ἀποστυγέω), which means "to hate intensely," "to detest," or "to shrink from with horror." It implies a deep-seated revulsion towards evil.
  • "Cleave": The Greek word is kollao (κολλάω), meaning "to join oneself to," "to stick to," "to be glued to," or "to be faithfully devoted to." It signifies a firm, unwavering adherence to what is good. This isn't passive goodness but active commitment.

Reflection and Application

Romans 12:9 is a foundational verse for Christian ethics and relationships. It challenges believers to examine the sincerity of their love, ensuring it is not a performance but flows from a transformed heart. It calls for a clear moral stance: not being neutral towards evil, but actively detesting it, and not merely appreciating good, but actively pursuing and attaching ourselves to it. Living this verse out involves:

  • Being honest and transparent in our interactions, letting our actions match our words and intentions.
  • Developing a sensitivity to sin and injustice, cultivating a righteous hatred for anything that opposes God's character and will.
  • Actively choosing, pursuing, and participating in acts of goodness, kindness, and righteousness, recognizing that goodness is not just the absence of evil but a positive force to be embraced.

This verse sets the stage for the specific ways love is to be expressed in the following verses (Romans 12:10-21), emphasizing that genuine love is inseparable from a clear moral compass that rejects evil and clings to good.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 34:14

    Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

  • 1 Peter 4:8

    And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

  • 1 John 3:18

    My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

  • 1 John 3:20

    ¶ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

    ¶ Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned:

  • 1 Peter 3:10

    For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

  • 1 Peter 3:11

    Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
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