Does the Bible Say to ‘Hate the Sin and Love the Sinner’?

These Bible verses should settle the debate once and for all

A woman reading the Bible — image via MidJourney

“Hate the sin; love the sinner.”

Few sayings garner more controversy than this one.

It’s been condemned quite a bit here on Medium. I’ve written on it myself a few times recently. But I won’t link to those until the end, nor will I rehash what’s already been said.

This article is for those with limited attention spans.

It’s short.

And it’s for those who just want what the Bible says. No commentary. No pontificating. No opinions. Just what the Bible says.

So, is “Hate the sin, love the sinner” consistent with biblical teaching?

You be the judge.

Here are some Bible verses (NKJV) about loving people:

• “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)
• “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43–44)
• “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:39)
• “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)
• “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27)
• “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)
• “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” (Romans 12:10)
• “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)
• “Since you have purified…