What is unfeigned love?

Answer

The term “unfeigned love” appears several times in the Bible, specifically in Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 6:6, and 1 Peter 1:22, among other passages. To feign is to pretend or give a false appearance; therefore, unfeigned love is authentic and sincere, in contrast to feigned love, which is artificial and superficial.

Romans 12:9 urges believers to “let love be genuine” (ESV). The same directive in the NKJV, NASB, and CSB translates to “let love be without hypocrisy.” This represents unfeigned love. While it is a simple command, putting it into practice can be challenging. True unfeigned love goes beyond a smile worn on Sunday mornings that vanishes once the handshake is over. It transcends mere pleasantries and good wishes. Unfeigned love manifests through actions.

Unfeigned love stems from a genuine desire to assist others. It embodies loyalty and does not seek personal recognition. Love acts promptly to aid and emanates from a heart close to God. It does not harbor jealousy but celebrates with others. It uplifts, gives without expecting anything in return, and practices hospitality (Romans 12:9-13).

In 2 Corinthians 6:6, authentic love is highlighted as one of the ways in which the servants of God commend themselves. Paul and his companions demonstrated genuine, unfeigned love for God’s people. However, he acknowledges, “We are treated as impostors” «by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; », (2 Corinthians 6:8). Essentially, Paul had to defend himself and his colleagues against accusations of insincerity in their ministry. To counter these allegations, he reminded them of their conduct towards the Corinthians: “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding.”

Expressing our affection from you” (verses 11–12). His love had substance; it was not empty, and the Corinthians knew it. They were encouraged to “open wide your hearts also” (verse 13).

Peter links unfeigned, sincere love to purifying oneself and “obeying the truth” «Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: », (1 Peter 1:22). He then gives a reason to show unfeigned love: “For you have been born again” (verse 23). We should sincerely love one another because Jesus saved us.

Jesus first loved us «We love him, because he first loved us. », (1 John 4:19), and His love was unfeigned. He held nothing back; He died for us. Our love for fellow Christians should be just as unfeigned. In fact, sincere, unfeigned love is the identifying mark of a true Christian. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” «By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. », (John 13:35). Our relationship to each other comes down to one command: love your neighbor as yourself «And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. », (Matthew 22:39). If we can do this without hypocrisy—without feigning—then we are showing the world how Christ, the source of unfeigned love, loves us.