Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.

◄ Romans 12:9 ►

New International Version
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

New Living Translation
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

English Standard Version
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

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

Berean Literal Bible
Let love be unfeigned: abhorring evil, cleaving to good,

King James Bible
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

New King James Version
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

New American Standard Bible
Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.

NASB 1995
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

NASB 1977
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Legacy Standard Bible
Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good,

Amplified Bible
Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.

Christian Standard Bible
Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.

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

Contemporary English Version
Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good.

Good News Translation
Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.

International Standard Version
Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

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

NET Bible
Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.

New Heart English Bible
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

Webster's Bible Translation
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Weymouth New Testament
Let your love be perfectly sincere. Regard with horror what is evil; cling to what is right.

World English Bible
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
The love unhypocritical: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good;

Berean Literal Bible
Let love be unfeigned: abhorring evil, cleaving to good,

Young's Literal Translation
The love unfeigned: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good;

Smith's Literal Translation
Love unfeigned. Hating evil; fastened to good.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good,

New American Bible
Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good;

New Revised Standard Version
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Let not your love be deceitful. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And be not deceitful in your love, but hate evil and cleave to the good.

NT Translations

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

Godbey New Testament
Let love be free from hypocrisy. Abhorring the evil, cleaving to the good:

Haweis New Testament
Let love be undissembled. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Mace New Testament
Let love be without dissimulation, abhor that which is evil, adhere to that which is good.

Weymouth New Testament
Let your love be perfectly sincere. Regard with horror what is evil; cling to what is right.

Worrell New Testament
Let love be without hypocrisy; abhorring that which is evil; cleaving to that which is good;

Worsley New Testament
Let love be unfeigned. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good;

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality
8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love 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.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

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.

Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:20-21
If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. / And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.

1 Corinthians 16:14
Do everything in love.

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.

1 John 3:16
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

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.

Proverbs 8:13
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

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.”

Treasury of Scripture

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; hold to that which is good.

love.

2 Samuel 20:9,10
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him…

Psalm 55:21
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Proverbs 26:25
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Abhor.

Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalm 36:4
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

Psalm 45:7
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

cleave.

Acts 11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

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Abhor Abhorring Cleave Cleaving Cling Deceit Dissimulation Evil Fast Fixed Genuine Good Hate Haters Hold Horror Hypocrisy Love Minds Perfectly Regard Right Sincere Unfeigned

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Abhor Abhorring Cleave Cleaving Cling Deceit Dissimulation Evil Fast Fixed Genuine Good Hate Haters Hold Horror Hypocrisy Love Minds Perfectly Regard Right Sincere Unfeigned

Romans 12

1. God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves.
3. No man must think too well of himself;
6. but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed.
9. Love, and many other duties are required of us.
19. Revenge is especially forbidden.

Berean Study Bible

Love must be sincere
The Greek word for "love" here is "ἀγάπη" (agape), which refers to a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. This is the kind of love that God shows to humanity and that Christians are called to emulate. The term "sincere" translates from the Greek "ἀνυπόκριτος" (anupokritos), meaning without hypocrisy or genuine. In the historical context of the early church, this call for genuine love was radical, as it demanded authenticity in relationships, free from pretense or deceit. The early Christians were known for their love for one another, which was a powerful testimony to the world around them. This sincere love is foundational to Christian ethics and community, reflecting the love of Christ.

Detest what is evil
The word "detest" comes from the Greek "ἀποστυγοῦντες" (apostugountes), which means to abhor or have a strong aversion to something. This is not a passive dislike but an active, intense repulsion. The term "evil" is translated from "πονηρός" (ponēros), which encompasses not only moral evil but also that which is harmful or malicious. In the historical context, the early Christians were surrounded by a pagan culture with practices contrary to their faith. This command calls believers to have a clear moral discernment and to reject anything that contradicts God's holiness and righteousness. It is a call to moral vigilance and integrity.

cling to what is good
The phrase "cling to" is derived from the Greek "κολλώμενοι" (kollōmenoi), which means to join or adhere firmly. It suggests a strong, unwavering attachment. The word "good" is from "ἀγαθός" (agathos), which refers to that which is inherently good, beneficial, and in alignment with God's nature. In the scriptural context, this is a call to pursue and hold fast to virtues and actions that reflect God's character. The early church was to be a beacon of goodness in a world often characterized by moral ambiguity. This exhortation encourages believers to actively pursue righteousness and to let their lives be marked by the goodness that comes from God.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9-21) Now follow to the end of the chapter a number of general exhortations, not addressed to particular persons or classes, but to the Church at large.

(9) Without dissimulation.--The same Greek word is translated "unfeigned" in 2Corinthians 6:6; 1Timothy 1:5; 2Timothy 1:5, and "without hypocrisy" in James 3:17. This last is the most literal rendering, and brings out the resemblance to Matthew 23:13, et al. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 9-21. - Various admonitions, applicable to all; headed by inculcation of the all-pervading principle of love. Verse 9. - Let love be unfeigned (so is rendered elsewhere ἀνυπόκριτος in the Authorized Version, cf. 2 Corinthians 6:6; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:5; 1 Peter 1:22). Abhor (literally, abhorring) that which is evil; cleave (literally, cleaving) to that which is good. The participles ἀποστυγοῦντες, etc., here and afterwards, may be understood as mildly imperative. Or perhaps the apostle connected them in thought with ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος, as if he had said, Love ye unfeignedly.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Love
ἀγάπη (agapē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.

must be sincere.
ἀνυπόκριτος (anypokritos)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 505: Unfeigned, without hypocrisy, sincere. Undissembled, i.e. Sincere.

Detest
ἀποστυγοῦντες (apostygountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 655: To detest, abhor. From apo and the base of stugnetos; to detest utterly.

what [is]
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

evil;
πονηρόν (ponēron)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

cling to
κολλώμενοι (kollōmenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2853: From kolla; to glue, i.e. to stick.

what [is]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

good.
ἀγαθῷ (agathō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.

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NT Letters: Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy (Rom. Ro)