Exactly where in the Bible is the phrase "Love the sinner, hate the sin"?

Question

Lest I be misunderstood.....

I'm a gay man that has been slapped repeatedly with this quote in reference to the only capacity for love that I have. Although the "love the sinner" component is demeaning enough, the "hate the sin" part is positively revolting, non-biblical, and used as a way to justify truly hateful actions on the part of multitudes of Christians.

Answer 1

Love the sinner, forgive thy sins. These are the words that shall always ring in my ears. How can you love the sinner and hate the sin? It makes no sense. If the sinner hates the sin, then they would not be a sinner. But that's just my opinion. To each their own belief and own interpretation.

Answer 2

That exact phrase is not in the bible, per se, but Romans 12:9 says "Hate what is evil, cling to what is good".

The phrase you have mentioned is a principle covered by many scriptures. For scriptures that talk about how God hates sin go to Deuteronomy .

Also, we know from 1Cor. chap.13 that God is Love. John 3:16 tells us that God loves "the world", that would include all men. Too many scriptures to print here. Read the book!

Answer 3

Personally, I don't remember if that exact phrase is in the Bible, however I am aware of the Commandment, Love thy Neighbor...which tells us to put others ahead of ourselves, and since everyone in a sinner, we are called to love them, but not to permit their sins...ergo, if you know that your Neighbor has say a Meth Lab in his basement, it is your job to call the cops so he can be removed from his dangerous and destructive way of life and hopefully be given the opportunity to go into rehab. Probably not the best example, but that is the best that I can do this late at night.

Answer 4

That phrase itself does not appear in Scripture, Christians are however instructed to love even our enemies. But now we must ask ;what exactly is Biblical love.? Is it always warm, fuzzy, lovey dovey? No. Just as a parent who loves his child must at times rebuke the child, so Christians must at times rebuke sinners because we are concerned about their eternal destiny.

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Answer 5

I don't see how it could be in the Old Testament. That part is full of hating the sinner. Did you here what God said of the man caught picking up sticks on the Sabbath? (Was he cold and needed a fire, perhaps to cook food for his family?) "Surely, he shall die," sayeth the Lord. Actually, God nearly smote more Israelites with pestilence and the swords of their enemies than he killed of the innocent.

Answer 6

Its Biblical in nature, just as realizing that the Apostle Paul was the Anti-Christ. Who we have followed nigh on two thousand years, give or take a few hundred years.

Answer 7

"And the second is like it; Love your neighbor as yourself" is what Jesus says.(Matthew 22:39) Love must be sincere. "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good" is found in Romans 12:9. May God Bless

Answer 8

Luke 6:32
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luke 6:31-33
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Answer 9

Nowhere, I don't believe. That's an appropriate cliche for God's love of man. Should be for the rest of us, as well.

Example: You don't base your love for your children on their behavior. Even when they misbehave, you still love them.

Answer 10

I'm pretty sure that is not a bible quote.