Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
What does Romans 12:9 mean?
The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Romans 12:9-13 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Romans 12:9
Let love - The apostle proceeds to specify the duties of Christians in general, that they might secure the beauty and order of the church. The first which he specifies is love. This word here evidently refers to benevolence, or to good-will toward all mankind. In Romans 12:10 he specifies the duty of brotherly love; and there can be no doubt that he here refers to the benevolence which we ought to cherish toward all people. A similar distinction is found in 2 Peter 1:7 , "And to brotherly-kindness add charity," that is, benevolence, or good will, and kind feelings to others. Without dissimulation - Without hypocrisy. Let it be sincere and unfeigned.
Key words
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Context in Romans 12
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Romans 12 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as union with Christ and life in the Spirit. Romans is Paul’s fullest sustained exposition of sin, grace, righteousness, faith, Israel, the Spirit, and transformed life in Christ. Read this chapter with the wider themes of justification, grace, and faith in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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