Romans 12:9-10
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The Greek word for "abhor" carries a sense of loathing and intense aversion, going beyond simple dislike. Paul uses it to emphasize that our hatred of evil should be so profound that it actively drives us away from it, not just a passive disapproval. This deep-seated abhorrence of evil is presented as the necessary counterpart to a genuine, "unhypocritical" love for good.
Paul has just finished discussing the spiritual gifts given to believers and how they should be used within the church community. Now, he shifts to general exhortations for all Christians, starting with the foundational principle of genuine, sincere love that actively recoils from evil and embraces what is good.
Think about the last time you felt truly loved. What made it feel real? Paul kicks off his practical advice by demanding a specific quality in our love.
Paul starts Romans 12:9 with a powerful command: "Let love be genuine." The original Greek word here, anupokritos, literally means "without hypocrisy" or "without a mask."
What This Means:
This isn't a small detail; it's the very foundation upon which all other Christian actions are built. Without this genuine core, our actions can become empty religious rituals.
Paul doesn't just tell us what to do; he tells us what to actively move away from and what to cling to. It's a dynamic, two-sided approach.
Following the command for genuine love, Paul presents a powerful, active command: "Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good."
A Clear Distinction:
Understand the original words
anypokritos · Greek Adjective
Literally 'without hypocrisy,' referring to a love that is sincere, genuine, and unfeigned. It is a love that does not pretend or hide behind masks, but acts from a pure heart.
apostygeō · Greek Verb
A strong, intense hatred or loathing. In a moral context, it signifies a total rejection of all that is wicked and contrary to God’s nature.
agathos · Greek Adjective
Refers to that which is morally excellent, beneficial, and in alignment with God’s will. It is the standard by which all actions and desires are to be measured.
agapē · Greek Noun
A deep, self-sacrificial, and unconditional love, which characterizes God’s love for humanity and is the commanded response of Christians toward others. It seeks the highest good of the object of that love, regardless of merit.
This passage directly echoes the 'genuine love' aspect by stating, 'Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth,' emphasizing that true love isn't just spoken but demonstrated.
Proverbs 8:7This verse provides an Old Testament parallel to the concept of abhorring evil, stating, 'for my mouth will utter nothing wicked; the words of my lips are pure,' highlighting the deep-seated aversion to wrong.
Philippians 2:3While Romans 12:9 focuses on our stance towards good and evil, Philippians 2:3 shifts the focus to how we treat others, urging, 'Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves,' which is a profound way to 'hold fast to what is good' in our relationships.
Hebrews 12:14This verse connects the idea of holding fast to good with the pursuit of peace and holiness, stating, 'Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord,' reinforcing the active commitment to good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22This passage serves as a practical application, urging believers to 'test everything; hold fast what is good, and abstain from every form of evil,' showing how to discern and cling to the good while actively rejecting the evil.
vincentRomans 12:9: "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
Love (ἡ ἀγάπη)The article has the force of your. See on loveth, John 5:20.Without dissimulation (ἀνυπόκριτος)Rev., without hypocrisy. See on hypocrites, Matthew 23:13.Abhor (ἀποστυγοῦντες)Lit., abhorring. The only simple verb for hate in the New Testament is μισέω. Στυγέω, quite frequent in the classics, does not occur except in this compound, which is found only here. The kindred…
gillRomans 12:9: "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
Let love be without dissimulation,.... The apostle having given out suitable exhortations to the officers of this church, ministers and deacons, proceeds to stir up to the exercise of grace, and the discharge of such duties as were common to all the members of the church; and begins with "love", which is the cement of saints, and the bond of perfectness, without which all the gifts that men…
The Greek word for "abhor" carries a sense of loathing and intense aversion, going beyond simple dislike. Paul uses it to emphasize that our hatred of evil should be so profound that it actively drives us away from it, not just a passive disapproval. This deep-seated abhorrence of evil is presented as the necessary counterpart to a genuine, "unhypocritical" love for good.
Paul has just finished discussing the spiritual gifts given to believers and how they should be used within the church community. Now, he shifts to general exhortations for all Christians, starting with the foundational principle of genuine, sincere love that actively recoils from evil and embraces what is good.
Paul has just finished discussing the spiritual gifts given to believers and how they should be used within the church community. Now, he shifts to general exhortations for all Christians, starting with the foundational principle of genuine, sincere love that actively recoils from evil and embraces what is good.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Romans 12:9-10 is available in the Sola app.
These two commands are inseparable. You can't truly hold fast to the good without actively rejecting the evil, and a genuine love for God will naturally lead us to despise what He despises.
philadelphia · Greek Noun
Refers to the familial, tender love shared between members of the household of faith. It acknowledges the spiritual kinship created by God through adoption in Christ.
timē · Greek Noun
The act of showing high regard, esteem, or value to others. It involves recognizing the dignity of others as image-bearers of God and elevating their needs above one's own.
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." — The Greek word for "abhor" carries a sense of loathing and intense aversion, going beyond simple dislike. Paul uses it to emphasize that our hatred of evil should be so profound that it actively driv…
