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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/12-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/45_Rom_12_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 12:9 - Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Love must be sincere. 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Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br /><i>Let</i> love <i>be</i> unfeigned: abhorring evil, cleaving to good,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Let</i> love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>Let</i> love <i>be</i> without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Love <i>must be</i> free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>Let</i> love <i>be</i> without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Love is to be sincere <i>and</i> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/romans/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Let your love be perfectly sincere. Regard with horror what is evil; cling to what is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The love unhypocritical: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br /><i>Let</i> love <i>be</i> unfeigned: abhorring evil, cleaving to good,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The love unfeigned: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Love unfeigned. Hating evil; fastened to good.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Let not your love be deceitful. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And be not deceitful in your love, but hate evil and cleave to the good.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Let love be free from hypocrisy. Abhorring the evil, cleaving to the good:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Let love be undissembled. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Let love be without dissimulation, abhor that which is evil, adhere to that which is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Let your love be perfectly sincere. Regard with horror what is evil; cling to what is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><i>Let</i> love <i>be</i> without hypocrisy; abhorring that <i>which is</i> evil; cleaving to that <i>which is</i> good;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><i>Let</i> love <i>be</i> unfeigned. Abhor <i>that which is</i> evil, cleave to that which is good;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/12-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=3091" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/12.htm">Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8</span>if 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. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/26.htm" title="26: agapē (N-NFS) -- From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.">Love</a> <a href="/greek/505.htm" title="505: anypokritos (Adj-NFS) -- Unfeigned, without hypocrisy, sincere. Undissembled, i.e. Sincere.">must be sincere.</a> <a href="/greek/655.htm" title="655: apostygountes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To detest, abhor. From apo and the base of stugnetos; to detest utterly.">Detest</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">what is</a> <a href="/greek/4190.htm" title="4190: ponēron (Adj-ANS) -- Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful. ">evil;</a> <a href="/greek/2853.htm" title="2853: kollōmenoi (V-PPM/P-NMP) -- From kolla; to glue, i.e. to stick.">cling to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">what is</a> <a href="/greek/18.htm" title="18: agathō (Adj-DNS) -- A primary word; good.">good.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">10</span>Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4-7</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">1 John 3:18</a></span><br />Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm">1 Peter 1:22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-39</a></span><br />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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20-21</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/16-14.htm">1 Corinthians 16:14</a></span><br />Do everything in love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-5.htm">1 Timothy 1:5</a></span><br />The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-16.htm">1 John 3:16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-15.htm">Ephesians 4:15</a></span><br />Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></span><br />Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10-11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Proverbs 8:13</a></span><br />To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-15.htm">Amos 5:15</a></span><br />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.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; hold to that which is good.</p><p class="hdg">love.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/20-9.htm">2 Samuel 20:9,10</a></b></br> And Joab said to Amasa, <i>Art</i> thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Psalm 55:21</a></b></br> <i>The words</i> of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war <i>was</i> in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet <i>were</i> they drawn swords.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/26-25.htm">Proverbs 26:25</a></b></br> When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for <i>there are</i> seven abominations in his heart.</p><p class="hdg">Abhor.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/34-14.htm">Psalm 34:14</a></b></br> Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/36-4.htm">Psalm 36:4</a></b></br> He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way <i>that is</i> not good; he abhorreth not evil.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/45-7.htm">Psalm 45:7</a></b></br> Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.</p><p class="hdg">cleave.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/11-23.htm">Acts 11:23</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></b></br> See that none render evil for evil unto any <i>man</i>; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all <i>men</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/12-14.htm">Hebrews 12:14</a></b></br> Follow peace with all <i>men</i>, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/2-22.htm">Abhor</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Abhorring</a> <a href="/acts/11-23.htm">Cleave</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-9.htm">Cleaving</a> <a href="/john/20-17.htm">Cling</a> <a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Dissimulation</a> <a href="/romans/9-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/romans/11-20.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-2.htm">Genuine</a> <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Good</a> <a href="/romans/9-13.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/romans/5-10.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/romans/9-28.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/ezekiel/32-10.htm">Horror</a> <a href="/luke/12-1.htm">Hypocrisy</a> <a href="/romans/8-39.htm">Love</a> <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/acts/23-20.htm">Perfectly</a> <a href="/romans/6-21.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Right</a> <a href="/acts/2-46.htm">Sincere</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm">Unfeigned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/26-11.htm">Abhor</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Abhorring</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Cleave</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-3.htm">Cleaving</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-21.htm">Cling</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/galatians/2-13.htm">Dissimulation</a> <a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-2.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-19.htm">Genuine</a> <a href="/romans/12-21.htm">Good</a> <a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/philippians/3-18.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/romans/13-3.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/genesis/15-12.htm">Horror</a> <a href="/galatians/2-13.htm">Hypocrisy</a> <a href="/romans/12-10.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-7.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">Perfectly</a> <a href="/romans/13-14.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Right</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-6.htm">Sincere</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-6.htm">Unfeigned</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/12-3.htm">No man must think too well of himself;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/12-6.htm">but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Love, and many other duties are required of us.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Revenge is especially forbidden.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/romans/12.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Love must be sincere</b><br />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.<p><b>Detest what is evil</b><br />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.<p><b>cling to what is good</b><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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.<p>(9) <span class= "bld">Without dissimulation.</span>--The same Greek word is translated "unfeigned" in <a href="/2_corinthians/6-6.htm" title="By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,">2Corinthians 6:6</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/1-5.htm" title="Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:">1Timothy 1:5</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/1-5.htm" title="When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelled first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in you also.">2Timothy 1:5</a>, and "without hypocrisy" in <a href="/james/3-17.htm" title="But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.">James 3:17</a>. This last is the most literal rendering, and brings out the resemblance to <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm" title="But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer you them that are entering to go in.">Matthew 23:13</a>, <span class= "ital">et al.</span> . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 9-21.</span> - <span class="accented">Various admonitions, applicable to all</span>; <span class="accented">headed by inculcation of the all-pervading principle of love.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let love be unfeigned</span> (so is rendered elsewhere <span class="greek">ἀνυπόκριτος</span> in the Authorized Version, cf. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-6.htm">2 Corinthians 6:6</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/1-5.htm">1 Timothy 1:5</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/1-5.htm">2 Timothy 1:5</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm">1 Peter 1:22</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Abhor</span> (literally, <span class="accented">abhorring</span>) <span class="cmt_word">that which is evil; cleave</span> (literally, <span class="accented">cleaving</span>) <span class="cmt_word">to that which is good</span>. The participles <span class="greek">ἀποστυγοῦντες</span>, etc., here and afterwards, may be understood as mildly imperative. Or perhaps the apostle connected them in thought with <span class="greek">ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος</span>, as if he had said, <span class="accented">Love ye unfeignedly.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/12-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Love</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγάπη</span> <span class="translit">(agapē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_26.htm">Strong's 26: </a> </span><span class="str2">From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must be sincere.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνυπόκριτος</span> <span class="translit">(anypokritos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unfeigned, without hypocrisy, sincere. Undissembled, i.e. Sincere.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Detest</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποστυγοῦντες</span> <span class="translit">(apostygountes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_655.htm">Strong's 655: </a> </span><span class="str2">To detest, abhor. From apo and the base of stugnetos; to detest utterly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what [is]</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil;</span><br /><span class="grk">πονηρόν</span> <span class="translit">(ponēron)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4190.htm">Strong's 4190: </a> </span><span class="str2">Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">cling to</span><br /><span class="grk">κολλώμενοι</span> <span class="translit">(kollōmenoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2853.htm">Strong's 2853: </a> </span><span class="str2">From kolla; to glue, i.e. to stick.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what [is]</span><br /><span class="grk">τῷ</span> <span class="translit">(tō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">good.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγαθῷ</span> <span class="translit">(agathō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_18.htm">Strong's 18: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary word; 'good'.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/12-9.htm">NT Letters: Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/12-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 12:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 12:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/12-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 12:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 12:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>