Context No. 2788 of 4322 · Romans

Romans 12:9-13: in context

9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. 10In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor prefer one another, 11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, 12rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer, 13contributing to the needs of the saints, and given to hospitality.

Paul fires off a rapid list of what real love looks like once you stop admiring it and start living it. Let love be genuine, without hypocrisy. Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good. Be devoted to one another with family affection, and outdo each other in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in trouble, keep at prayer. Share with the saints in need, and pursue hospitality.

Notice how concrete and unromantic love becomes here. It is not a warm feeling to be praised but a set of habits: honoring others above yourself, staying constant in prayer, opening your home, giving to people in need. Paul will not let love drift off into an abstraction. He turns it into verbs, plain things you actually do, day after day, especially in the stretches when the feeling behind them has gone quiet.

Which of these plain marks of love, honoring others, staying at prayer, sharing what I have, is God asking me to actually practice this week?

Sources

Romans 12:9: "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good."
1 John 3:18: "My little children, let's not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth."
1 Peter 4:9: "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling."