Sometimes I hear people say that God loves the sinner but hates the sin. The problem with this statement is there are many verses in the Bible that say God hates sinners. After all, He will send sinners to hell forever where He will punish and torment them forever and ever to the praise of His glorious justice.
It's more truthful and Biblically accurate to say: "God hates sinners, but praise God He also loves sinners." This is exactly what Ephesians 2:3-4 teaches:
. . . we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind [God hates sinners]. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us . . . . [but praise God He also loves sinners!]
Most people know verses in the Bible that speak of God's love for sinners. But many are unfamiliar with the verses (or they just avoid them) that teach God hates sinners. Here is a short list:
Leviticus 20:23: And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them.
Leviticus 26:30: And I will destroy your high places and cut down your incense altars and cast your dead bodies upon the dead bodies of your idols, and my soul will abhor you.
Deuteronomy 18:12: for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD.
Deuteronomy 25:16: For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the LORD your God.
Psalm 5:5-6: The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
Psalm 11:5-6: The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
Psalm 106:40: Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, and he abhorred his heritage;
Proverbs 3:32: for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD
Proverbs 6:16-19: There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 16:5: Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 17:15: He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
Malachi 1:2-3: Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated.
Romans 9:13: As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
For more information on this topic, please read:
God Loves The Sinner, But Hates The Sin? by John Piper
God Hates Wicked People by Tim Challies
Is It True That God “Loves The Sinner But Hates The Sin”? by Stephen Nichols
Is It Biblical To Say “God Loves The Sinner, But Hates The Sin?” by Burk Parsons
Does God Hate Sin, But Love the Sinner? (Ask David Platt) by David Platt
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