Love must be sincere! How is this so hard to understand, live out, do to others and receive from others? I do not know that answer. What I do know is that God says love must be sincere. There is nothing I could possibly say that can make this any more clear than what God has so clearly stated, love must be sincere. I still want more insight, more wisdom, more direction when life gets messy. Let’s put “love” up to the light and see what we really get.
In one verse, Romans 12:9, God gives us more insight, wisdom and direction.
- Love must be sincere.
- Hate what is evil.
- Cling to what is good.
God has given us different humans with different interpretations of that same verse that can widen our perspective. I will take all the help I can get to understand this.
I want to be able to understand God’s intent so that I may receive His direction.
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 Study 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,
New American Standard Bible
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
King James Bible
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.
International Standard Version
Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor 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.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And be not deceitful in your love, but hate evil and cleave to the good.
GOD’S WORD® Translation
Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good.
New American Standard 1977
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
Jubilee Bible 2000
Let love be without dissimulation, abhorring that which is evil, causing you to come unto that which is good;
King James 2000 Bible
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
American King James Version
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; hold to that which is good.
American Standard Version
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good.
Darby Bible Translation
Let love be unfeigned; abhorring evil; cleaving to good:
English Revised Version
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave 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.
Young’s Literal Translation
The love unfeigned: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good;
Dissimulation – I had to look up the definition
Hypocrisy.And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their DISSIMULATION. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? ( Galatians 2:13-14 )
Are you loving others sincerely? Do you have others in your life that love you sincerely?
Donations accepted to serve others in their chronic illness journey. Maribeth Baxter, HHC provides voluntary certified health coaching services to the financially limited during their time of crisis.