American Standard Version
1 Peter 4:8
8above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:
1 Peter 4:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
- New International Version (NIV)Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Context of 1 Peter 4:8
6For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins: 9using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 10according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;
Read all of 1 Peter 41 Peter 4:8 word by word
πρὸ πάντων τὴν εἰς ἑαυτοὺς ἀγάπην ἐκτενῆ ἔχοντες, ὅτι ἀγάπη καλύπτει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 1 Peter 4:8
- Colossians 3:14and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
- James 5:12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under judgment.
- 3 John 1:2Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
- 1 Peter 1:22Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
- 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
- 1 Corinthians 14:1Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritualgifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth;
- 1 Timothy 1:5But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:
- Hebrews 13:1Let love of the brethren continue.
- 2 Peter 1:6and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness;
- Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirreth up strifes; But love covereth all transgressions.
- Proverbs 12:16A fool’s vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
- Proverbs 17:9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
- Proverbs 18:13He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
Commentaries on 1 Peter 4:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Have fervent charity - · Intense love; for love shall cover a multitude of sins. A loving disposition leads us to pass by the faults of others, to forgive offenses against ourselves, and to excuse and lessen, as far as is consistent with truth, the transgressions of men. It does not mean that our love to others will induce God to pardon our offenses. See the note on James 5:20.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8And above all things - More than all things else. Have fervent charity among yourselves - Warm, ardent love toward each other. On the nature of charity, see the notes at 1 Corinthians 13:1. The word rendered “fervent,” means properly extended; then intent, earnest, fervent. For charity shall cover the multitude of sins - Love to another shall so cover or hide a great many imperfections in him, that you will not notice them. This passage is quoted from…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-11Verses 7-11 The destruction of the Jewish church and nation, foretold by our Saviour, was very near. And the speedy approach of death and judgment concerns all, to which these words naturally lead our minds. Our approaching end, is a powerful argument to make us sober in all worldly matters, and earnest in religion. There are so many things amiss in all, that unless love covers, excuses, and forgives in others, the mistakes and faults for which every one…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8By its nature, love chooses to overlook the sins that other people commit against us (see Proverbs 10:12; Matthew 18:21–22; 1 Corinthians 13:4–7). Peter might also mean that when we show love, we reveal our relationship with Christ. This loving attitude “covers” our own sins and leads to their forgiveness (see Luke 7:47).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. above all things--not that "charity" or love is placed above "prayer," but because love is the animating spirit, without which all other duties are dead. Translate as Greek, "Having your mutual (literally, 'towards yourselves') charity intense." He presupposes its existence among them; he urges them to make it more fervent. charity shall cover the multitude, &c.--The oldest manuscripts have "covereth." Quoted from Pr 10:12; compare Pr 17:9. "Covereth"…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Peter 4:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Peter 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries