Historic pastoral reading
Christians have long tried to hold mercy and moral clarity together. The slogan is a shortcut.
Jude 1:22-23
Hate the sin, love the sinner.
The text
WEB
22 On some have compassion, making a distinction,
23 and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
KJV
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
What kind of text
- Letter
- Jude
- Mercy and fear
Jude tells the church to show mercy and also to hate the stain of the flesh.
How Christians have read this
Common misuse
Used as if quoting Jesus, or used to dodge either love or holiness.
What the next verse does
Jude ends with God able to keep you from falling.
Older commentary
Matthew Henry
Henry on Jude 22-23: compassion on some, and a holy fear that hates even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon held mercy and holiness together. He did not treat this slogan as a verse.