Romans 12:9

“Let love be without dissimulation, etc..] The apostle having given out suitable exhortations to the officers of this church, ministers and deacons, proceeds to stir up to the exercise of grace, and the discharge of such duties as were common to all the members of the church; and begins with “love”, which is the cement of saints, and the bond of perfectness, without which all the gifts that men have, the profession they make, and works they do are of no avail, and they themselves nothing. Here it is to be taken, in the largest and most comprehensive sense, for love to God, Christ, the saints, and fellow creatures, and ought, with respect to each, to “be without dissimulation”; or “hypocrisy”:…”

“Let love be without dissimulation--"Let your love be unfeigned" (as in Co2 6:6; Pe1 2:22; and see Jo1 3:18). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good--What a lofty tone of moral principle and feeling is here inculcated! It is not, Abstain from the one, and do the other; nor, Turn away from the one, and draw to the other; but, Abhor the one, and cling, with deepest sympathy, to the other.”

“Let love - The apostle proceeds to specify the duties of Christians in general, that they might secure the beauty and order of the church. The first which he specifies is love. This word here evidently refers to benevolence, or to good-will toward all mankind. In Romans 12:10 he specifies the duty of brotherly love; and there can be no doubt that he here refers to the benevolence which we ought to cherish toward all people. A similar distinction is found in 2 Peter 1:7, “And to brotherly-kindness add charity,” that is, benevolence, or good will, and kind feelings to others. Without dissimulation - Without hypocrisy. Let it be sincere and unfeigned. Let it not consist in words or professions…”

“Having spoken of faith and its fruit, Rom 12:3, &c., he comes now to love. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good - Both inwardly and outwardly, whatever ill - will or danger may follow. Romans 12:10”

“12:9-21 The many injunctions in these verses do not follow a neat logical arrangement. The overall topic, stated at the beginning, is sincere love. Paul shows how we are to love both those inside the church (12:10, 13, 15-16) and those outside the church (12:14, 17-21).”

“love: Sa2 20:9, Sa2 20:10; Psa 55:21; Pro 26:25; Eze 33:31; Mat 26:49; Joh 12:6; Co2 6:6, Co2 8:8; Th1 2:3; Ti1 1:5; Jam 2:15, Jam 2:16; Pe1 1:22, Pe1 4:8; Jo1 3:18-20 Abhor: Psa 34:14, Psa 36:4, Psa 45:7, Psa 97:10, Psa 101:3, Psa 119:104, Psa 119:163; Pro 8:13; Amo 5:15; Heb 1:9 cleave: Act 11:23; Th1 5:15; Heb 12:14; Pe1 3:10, Pe1 3:11 Romans 12:10”