Short answer: The phrase "hate the sin, love the sinner" is not in the Bible, and Jesus never said it. The idea behind it is biblical, though: Scripture tells us to hate evil, and it also tells us to love people, even our enemies. The closest verse to the sentiment is Ezekiel 33:11, where God says he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
In This Article
Most Christians have heard it, and plenty of non-Christians have heard it too, usually as a complaint. For some it sounds like an excuse for judgment. For others it is a short summary of how a believer should treat everyone. Which is it?
I will take it in order: where the words come from, whether Scripture teaches the idea, how Jesus lived it out, and where the phrase can go wrong.
Did Jesus Actually Say Hate The Sin, Love The Sinner?
No. You will not find those words in any of the Gospels, or anywhere else in the Bible. It is a saying, not a verse, and it helps to say so plainly. Plenty of people quote it as though it were Scripture, and it is not.
That does not settle the question, because a saying can still summarize what the Bible teaches. A thought similar to this one is often traced to Augustine of Hippo, who wrote about loving people while hating their faults, and the modern wording was popularized much later. I do not think anything important depends on who said it first. What matters is whether the idea holds up against Scripture, and that is what the rest of this article is for.
Should We Hate Sin?
Yes. God hates sin (Psalm 5:4), and he expects his people to share that attitude (Proverbs 8:13).
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Romans 12:9 (NIV)
Notice that Paul puts the two commands side by side. Love must be sincere, and hate what is evil. The apostle also shows us what hating sin looks like from the inside. In Romans 7:21-25 he admits his own struggle and longs to be free from it. Hatred of sin starts at home, with our own sin first.
It makes sense, too. Jesus took on flesh and gave himself to rid us of our sins, and sin is what put him on the cross. A person who shrugs at sin has not understood what it cost him. For the bigger picture, see what sin is.
Should We Love Those Who Sin?
Absolutely. Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). He went further and said we are to love our enemies (Luke 6:27). Someone who treats us badly is committing sin, and we are still to bless them and pray for them. Even then we do not call evil good. We keep rejecting the wrongdoing, just as we reject sinful tendencies in ourselves.
A reader might point to Psalm 5:4-5, which speaks of God hating those who do wrong, and conclude that God hates sinners. Other passages show us God's love for the world (John 3:16). Taking them together, I read the psalm as describing God's settled opposition to wicked behavior, set against his love for the righteous, while his love for lost people never disappears. He sent his Son for them.
The nearest the Bible comes to our phrase is in the book of Ezekiel.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.
Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV)
God opposes wickedness and also wants wicked people to live. That is the heart of the saying. See also whether hate is a sin.
How Did Jesus Treat Sinners?
He is the best commentary on the phrase. The Pharisees accused him of eating with tax collectors and sinners, and he did not deny it. Yet he never pretended sin was fine. When a woman caught in adultery was brought to him, he refused to condemn her and then told her what to do next.
Go now and leave your life of sin.
John 8:11 (NIV)
Both halves are there: mercy first, and then a call to change. Compare that with the story behind "let any one of you who is without sin cast the first stone". Jesus does not use the woman's sin as a weapon and does not wave it away.
It also helps to remember what Jesus said about judging. He warned us about a harsh, self-righteous spirit (see Is Judging A Sin In The Bible?). Christians are not called to be judgmental, but to show grace, forgiveness and the redeeming love of Christ. Jude puts it simply: be merciful to those who doubt (Jude 22).
Where Can The Phrase Go Wrong?
The saying is true, but it can be abused. Some people use it as a license to condemn: they say "love the sinner" and then show nothing of the sort. Others say it to strangers before any relationship exists. The listener hears only the first half of the sentence.
The reverse error is just as real. Some people want the love without the hatred of sin, so they ignore what Scripture calls sin because it feels unkind to name it. Neither extreme is faithful. Real love tells the truth, and the truth is always spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15). If you want to see how this plays out on specific questions, read our articles on homosexuality and supporting sin.
A practical test might help. Before you speak, ask whether the person would say that you care about them. If the answer is no, the phrase is not for you to use yet. Build a relationship first, listen, and let your actions say what the words cannot.
Is Hating Sin The Same As Hating The Person?
It is not, and the Bible keeps the two apart. When Paul writes about the sins of the Corinthians, he does not treat the people as beyond hope. He reminds them of what they used to be and what Christ has done for them. When Jesus warns the religious leaders, he does so with tears over Jerusalem and not with contempt.
The deeper reason is that every one of us is both a sinner and an image bearer. We carry God's image and we carry the damage of sin. That means the person in front of you is worth loving because of who made them, and worth being honest with because of what is hurting them. We are not above anyone here. Paul calls himself the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). A person who remembers that is much less likely to turn this phrase into a weapon.
Key Bible Verses About Hating Sin And Loving People
- Romans 12:9: love sincerely, hate evil, cling to good.
- Psalm 97:10: those who love the LORD hate evil.
- Ezekiel 33:11: God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
- Luke 6:27: love your enemies.
- John 8:11: no condemnation, and a call to leave sin.
- John 3:16: God loved the world and gave his Son.
- Ephesians 4:15: speak the truth in love.
The Bottom Line
"Hate the sin, love the sinner" is a human saying and not a Bible verse, but it captures something Scripture teaches. We hate sin because of what it does to people and to God's world, and we love sinners because God loves them. Keep both, in order, with humility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Jesus actually say hate the sin, love the sinner?
No. Jesus never said those words. The idea is still present in how he treated people: he called sin what it was, and he welcomed and forgave sinners, as in his words to the woman caught in adultery.
Who originally said hate the sin, love the sinner?
The wording is not from Scripture. A similar thought appears in a letter attributed to Augustine of Hippo, who spoke of loving people while hating their vices, and the modern form became popular long after that. I would not rest any argument on who said it first.
What does the phrase hate the sin, love the sinner mean?
It means a Christian can reject wrong behavior without rejecting the person who does it. We oppose sin because it harms people and dishonors God, and we love people because God loves them.
Is hating sin the same as hating people?
No. The Bible calls us to hate evil, but it also commands us to love our neighbors and even our enemies. Our related article Is Hate A Sin In The Bible? looks at when hatred is wrong.
Can the phrase be misused?
Yes. It can be used as a cover for contempt, or said before any relationship exists. If people do not feel loved, the phrase will not convince them. Love shows itself in patience, honesty and presence.
