Does God hate anyone?

Published September 1, 2026

Yes. The Bible sometimes says that God hates not only wicked acts but also “workers of iniquity.” This hatred is not sinful malice, uncontrolled rage, prejudice, or cruelty. It is God’s holy, settled opposition to evil and His righteous rejection of those who persist in rebellion. Scripture also reveals His compassion, patience, and willingness to forgive sinners who repent and come to Jesus Christ.

“Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.” — Psalm 5:5 (KJV)

The Bible uses strong language about God’s hatred

Psalm 11:5 says, “the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” These words should not be softened until they mean nothing. God is personally and morally opposed to those who give themselves to evil.

At the same time, such passages must be read with everything else Scripture says about God’s justice, patience, mercy, and love. His attributes do not contradict one another.

God hates evil because He is holy

Proverbs 6:16 introduces “six things doth the LORD hate,” including pride, lying, murder, wicked plans, eagerness to do mischief, false witness, and sowing discord. God does not remain morally neutral toward what corrupts people and destroys lives.

A god who felt no opposition to abuse, cruelty, deception, or idolatry would not be good. Divine hatred of evil is one expression of perfect holiness.

Sin cannot be separated completely from the sinner

People sometimes say, “God hates the sin but loves the sinner.” That sentence can express an important truth: God shows love toward sinners and offers mercy. But it can become misleading if used to deny passages that say God hates “workers of iniquity.”

Sin is not an independent object floating apart from a person. People think, desire, choose, and perform sinful acts. God judges persons for their deeds, not merely abstract concepts.

God’s hatred is not like sinful human hatred

Human hatred is often selfish, vindictive, ignorant, prejudiced, or eager to harm. God’s hatred contains none of those corruptions. He knows every fact, judges without partiality, and never acts from wounded pride or misinformation.

Deuteronomy 32:4 declares, “A God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” His opposition to sinners is always proportionate, informed, and righteous.

“Love” and “hate” can also express choice or rejection

Scripture sometimes uses love-and-hate language to describe preference, covenant choice, or rejection. God said, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Malachi 1:2–3; Romans 9:13). In context, the statement concerns Jacob, Esau, and the peoples who descended from them within God’s historical purpose.

This language should not be reduced to an emotional outburst. It declares God’s sovereign distinction and judgment. Christians disagree about some implications of Romans 9, so conclusions should not be made stronger than the passage supports.

God also shows love toward sinners

Romans 5:8 says, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” John 3:16 says God loved the world and gave His only begotten Son.

These truths do not cancel the passages about divine hatred. They show the astonishing mercy of God: the Holy One who rightly opposes sin acted to rescue guilty people at immeasurable cost.

God does not delight in destroying the wicked

Ezekiel 33:11 says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” God’s judgment is righteous, but He sincerely calls sinners to turn.

His patience should lead to repentance. It should not be used to claim that continued rebellion has no consequence.

God commands Christians to love their enemies

Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you” (Matthew 5:44). No Christian may use statements about God’s hatred as permission for personal cruelty, harassment, prejudice, or revenge.

God alone is the perfectly informed Judge. Believers are commanded to speak truth, oppose evil, pray for enemies, do good, and leave vengeance to God.

Jesus Christ saves people who were under judgment

The gospel does not divide humanity into good people whom God naturally loves and hopeless people whom He refuses to receive. “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23). Every saved person once needed mercy.

Jesus Christ bore sin’s penalty, died, and rose again. Those who repent and believe on Him are forgiven, reconciled, and adopted into God’s family. Jesus promised, “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

The biblical answer

The Bible does say that God hates wickedness and workers of iniquity. His hatred is holy opposition and righteous judgment, never sinful malice or uncontrolled hostility.

The same God shows patience and love, gave His Son for sinners, and calls the wicked to turn and live. We should fear His justice, trust His mercy, and refuse to imitate the corrupt hatred common to human hearts.