Exposition on select Bible verses: Romans 12:9
Verse 9:
Let love be without hypocrisy--The world is full of effusive expressions of affection,--and so, we fear, are many professing Christians--without real love in the heart: “Talking cream and living skim milk,” as Mr. Moody phrased it. “Let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18). Abhor that which is evil--This is impossible to the unregenerate, and only intermittently possible for the carnal Christian; but to one who has obeyed the first two verses of this chapter and surrendered to God, it is a holy instinct! “Ye that love Jehovah, hate evil” (Psalm 97:10). To be a good Christian, a man must be a good hater! Cleave to that which is good--Here is not only the negative, the abhorrence of evil; but the positive, the discerning and holding fast that which is good. As Paul says in Php 4:8 : “Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, [in a person] take account of these things.” Trust the anointing which you have received (1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27) for discernment; and trust the study of the Word of God, to teach you what is really good."
William R. Newell, from Romans Verse by Verse Chapter 12. Taken from Biblehub commentaries, please read more here
