Romans 12:9-10
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The verse urges a love that isn't just a feeling but an active choice, demanding not only adherence to good but a profound, visceral disgust for evil. This isn't a mild preference, but a deep-seated loathing that compels us to turn away from what corrupts, clinging fiercely to what nourishes.
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)
Paul is transitioning from his theological arguments to practical instructions for living out the Christian faith within the community. He's just described believers as a living body with diverse gifts, and now he's laying out the foundational principle for how these parts should function together: genuine love. This verse sets the stage for a series of exhortations about how that love should manifest in concrete actions and attitudes toward one another and the world.
What does it really mean for love to be 'genuine'? Paul doesn't just want us to feel good; he calls for a love that's real, deep, and undeniable in its expression.
Paul kicks off this section on practical Christian living with a powerful emphasis on the quality of our love. The word for 'genuine' (anupokritos) literally means 'un-hypocritical' or 'without a mask.' It's about authenticity. This isn't just a passive feeling; it's an active choice to love without pretense, without hidden agendas, and without putting on a show. True love, in the Christian sense, stems from a sincere heart and is demonstrated through concrete actions. It's the foundation upon which all other Christian virtues are built, as Paul implies by calling it the 'bond of perfection' in Colossians 3:14.
We're called to love what's good, but what about evil? Paul uses a strong word here, urging us not to merely dislike evil, but to actively abhor it.
The command to 'abhor what is evil' is not about mild disapproval. The Greek word used here (apostugountes) signifies intense loathing, a profound detestation. It’s a strong, active turning away from evil, not just in its grand manifestations but in its subtle whispers and insidious influences. This abhorrence isn't about hatred towards people, but a deep-seated rejection of sin itself, recognizing its destructive nature and its opposition to God's character. This passionate rejection of evil is the necessary counterpart to a genuine love for the good.
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Loving good isn't enough; we must 'cling' to it. Paul uses a powerful image to describe our commitment to what is right and true.
Following the strong directive to reject evil, Paul commands us to 'hold fast to what is good.' The word for 'hold fast' (kollomenoi) is vivid. It means to be glued, to stick firmly, to be inseparable. It paints a picture of an unwavering, tenacious adherence to goodness. This isn't just about doing good deeds occasionally; it's about a deep, abiding commitment to God, His ways, His Word, and His people. It implies a constant pursuit and a resolute perseverance, especially when the path of good becomes difficult or unpopular.
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.
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.
This passage echoes the call for genuine love by stating believers have purified their souls by obeying the truth for sincere brotherly love, directly paralleling the 'genuine love' aspect of Romans 12:9.
Hebrews 12:14The exhortation to 'strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord' connects with the idea of holding fast to what is good, implying that holiness is the good to pursue.
1 John 3:18This verse speaks about loving not in word or talk but in deed and in truth, reinforcing the 'genuine' aspect of love and the active pursuit of good commanded in Romans 12:9.
Philippians 2:15The call to 'be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world' highlights the need to distinguish good from evil within a corrupt world, aligning with 'abhor evil' and 'hold fast to good'.
Proverbs 8:13This Old Testament passage states, 'The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the way of evil and crooked words I hate,' which directly corresponds to the strong sentiment of abhorring evil in Romans 12:9.
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 verse urges a love that isn't just a feeling but an active choice, demanding not only adherence to good but a profound, visceral disgust for evil. This isn't a mild preference, but a deep-seated loathing that compels us to turn away from what corrupts, clinging fiercely to what nourishes.
Paul is transitioning from his theological arguments to practical instructions for living out the Christian faith within the community. He's just described believers as a living body with diverse gifts, and now he's laying out the foundational principle for how these parts should function together: genuine love. This verse sets the stage for a series of exhortations about how that love should manifest in concrete actions and attitudes toward one another and the world.
Paul is transitioning from his theological arguments to practical instructions for living out the Christian faith within the community. He's just described believers as a living body with diverse gifts, and now he's laying out the foundational principle for how these parts should function together: genuine love. This verse sets the stage for a series of exhortations about how that love should manifest in concrete actions and attitudes toward one another and the world.
"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 verse urges a love that isn't just a feeling but an active choice, demanding not only adherence to good but a profound, visceral disgust for evil. This isn't a mild preference, but a deep-seated…
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Last reviewed October 2026
