Is "Love the sinner, hate the sin" biblical?

Is “Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin” Biblical?

1. Origin and Common Usage

The exact phrase “Love the sinner, hate the sin” does not appear in Scripture as a direct quotation. Though commonly associated in modern times with various Christian teachers and even figures outside the faith, the idea behind the saying is sometimes attributed to ancient writings, including a paraphrase from a letter of Augustine (Letter 211) rendering the Latin “Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum,” meaning “With love for mankind and hatred of sins.” Despite this historical connection, the question remains: does Scripture itself teach this principle, even if those precise words are not used?

2. God’s Love for Sinners in Scripture

Scripture affirms repeatedly that God loves sinners. A pivotal text is Romans 5:8: “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This underscores that divine love reaches individuals who are steeped in sin, proving that God’s active care is directed to people regardless of their spiritual condition.

In the Old Testament, we read, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). This inward look into the heart of God highlights compassion toward those who have fallen. Even though He meets people where they are, this same God does not “clear the guilty” without repentance (cf. Exodus 34:7), which bridges divine love and divine judgment.

3. Distinguishing Persons from Sinful Acts

Biblical teaching makes a clear moral distinction between a person and the actions they commit. For instance, Ephesians 4:22–24 calls believers to “put off your former way of life, your old self,” and to “put on the new self, created to be like God.” This distinction unites both a sincere love for individuals as God’s image-bearers (cf. Genesis 1:27) and an unflinching moral opposition to sinful activities.

Jesus Himself intimately interacted with sinners in a spirit of redemptive love. The account of His encounter with the adulterous woman (John 8:1–11) demonstrates a tender compassion for the sinner, while at the same time He admonishes her: “Go now and sin no more” (John 8:11). This narrative powerfully models how love for a sinner can coexist with the demand to reject sin.

4. The Biblical Command to Hate Sin

Far from endorsing or overlooking sin, Scripture explicitly instructs believers to abhor and reject it. In Romans 12:9, we read: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Similarly, Psalm 97:10 directs, “O you who love the LORD, hate evil!” This dual emphasis—loving both God and the sinner, yet hating unrighteousness—lies at the heart of the biblical moral framework.

Jesus personifies this perfectly. In Revelation 2:6, He commends the church in Ephesus because they “hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Notably, the condemnation falls on the practices rather than an encouragement to hate the people themselves. This helps explain how a Christian may repudiate sin while still desiring the good and salvation of all humans.

5. Comprehensive Scriptural Examples

• Jonah and Nineveh: God sent Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh of impending judgment for their wickedness. Jonah 3:10 notes that when they repented, “God relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.” Here, God’s mercy for the people and His hatred of their wickedness joined together.

• Christ’s Interaction with Tax Collectors: Tax collectors were despised in first-century Israel for numerous moral and social reasons. Yet Jesus repeatedly ate with them (Luke 15:1–2) and extended friendship and forgiveness (Luke 19:1–10). He drew near to those in sin while calling them to “repent and believe in the Good News” (Mark 1:15).

• Corinthian Believers: 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 lists practices including idolatry, sexual immorality, and drunkenness as sins that exclude people from inheriting the kingdom of God. However, Paul continues, “That is what some of you were,” before emphasizing the transformation possible through Christ. His strong stance against sin coexists with a profound affirmation of the believers’ newfound identity after repentance.

6. Practical Application in Interpersonal Relationships

In daily practice, believers are called to emulate Christ, who extends love to all people without endorsing sin (cf. 1 Peter 2:21–23). Some points of application include:

• Gentleness and Respect

When engaging with individuals living in disobedience, Christians are instructed: “But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Balancing correction of sin with compassion toward the individual mirrors Jesus’ own ministry.

• Accountability and Repentance

Living out “hate the sin” means rejecting attitudes and actions that oppose God’s holiness. Believers, therefore, should also apply this principle first to themselves, examining their own hearts and actions (cf. Matthew 7:1–5). By practicing repentance and accountability within Christian communities, believers avoid hypocrisy and cultivate authenticity.

• Seeking Restoration

Galatians 6:1–2 highlights this spirit of restoration: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Restoration and healing lie at the core of biblical love for the individual while confronting sin that harms them.

7. Summary and Conclusion

Though “Love the sinner, hate the sin” is not a direct biblical quote, its essence resonates with the overarching witness of Scripture. God’s love for fallen humanity is displayed everywhere from Genesis to Revelation, culminating in the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ (cf. Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8). At the same time, Scripture consistently speaks of God’s hatred for sin and commands believers to abhor it while extending grace, forgiveness, and a call to repentance.

This principle finds reflection in Jesus, who demonstrates compassion for sinners while never endorsing the behaviors that separate them from God’s holiness. Therefore, the phrase captures the biblical truth that believers are to deeply love individuals precisely because they are image-bearers of God, while steadfastly rejecting all that conflicts with God’s righteousness.

Indeed, the Scriptures present a God who is both perfectly just and perfectly loving, calling all people to repent (2 Peter 3:9) and to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ. When practically applied, “Love the sinner, hate the sin” echoes the Spirit of the gospel itself—caring for people unconditionally while resisting every form of evil.