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

ROMANS 12:9KJV
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Romans 12:9 (KJV)

What does Romans 12:9 mean?

Romans 12:9 calls for love to be genuine and sincere, not fake or hypocritical. It also urges readers to strongly reject what is evil and to hold tightly to what is good.

Paul, writing to the believers in Rome, is giving practical instructions for how Christians should live. This verse sets the tone for a series of short, direct commands about Christian character, starting with the importance of authentic love and a clear moral stance.

The Greek behind Romans 12:9

  • The word for "love" is ἀγάπη (agapē), which often refers to selfless, unconditional love. Paul is not talking about mere affection or friendliness, but a deep, genuine care for others.
  • "Dissimulation" translates ἀνυπόκριτος (anupokritos), meaning "without hypocrisy" or "without pretending." Paul is emphasizing that love should not be a show or an act.
  • "Abhor" comes from ἀποστυγέω (apostygeō), a strong word meaning to hate or detest something intensely. Paul is telling readers not to tolerate evil at all.
  • "Evil" is from πονηρός (ponēros), which often means something morally wrong or harmful.
  • "Cleave" is κολλάω (kollaō), meaning to join or cling closely, like glue. Paul is urging believers to stick firmly to what is good.
  • "Good" is ἀγαθός (agathos), which refers to what is morally upright or beneficial.

Why Romans 12:9 matters

  • Romans 12:9 makes clear that Christian love is not about outward appearances or empty gestures, but about real, heartfelt care.
  • The verse draws a sharp line between good and evil, showing that following Jesus involves both rejecting what is wrong and actively choosing what is right.
  • This verse introduces a practical section of Romans, shifting from theological ideas to everyday actions, and helps set the standard for Christian relationships and ethics.

Where else these words appear

“dissimulation” Greek G505 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
  • 1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
  • James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

“cleave” Greek G2853 · used in 11 verses

  • Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
  • Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
  • Acts 17:34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

“evil” Greek G4190 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
  • 1 Corinthians 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

“good” Greek G18 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
  • John 7:12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
  • Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: