1 Peter 4:8

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

6That is why the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray. Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

1 Peter 4:8 word by word

πρὸ πάντων τὴν εἰς ἑαυτοὺς ἀγάπην ἐκτενῆ ἔχοντες, ὅτι ἀγάπη καλύπτει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν.Read the interlinear

• Aboveπρόpro · beforeG4253
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• loveἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• one anotherεἰςeis · towardG1519
• one anotherἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• deeplyἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• deeplyἐκτενήςektenēs · ferventG1618
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• covers overκαλύπτωkaluptō · to coverG2572
• a multitudeπλῆθοςplēthos · multitudeG4128
• of sinsἁμαρτίαhamartia · sinG266

Cross-references for 1 Peter 4:8

• Colossians 3:14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
• James 5:12Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
• 3 John 1:2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
• 1 Peter 1:22Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
• 1 Timothy 1:5The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
• Hebrews 13:1Continue in brotherly love.
• 2 Peter 1:6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
• Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
• Proverbs 12:16A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
• Proverbs 17:9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
• Proverbs 18:13He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to 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

• Charitableness
• Commandments
• Kindness
• Love

In the dictionaries

• Begin
• Cover
• Ungodly
• Charity
• Ethics
• Fervent
• Peter, the First Epistle of
• Proverbs, Book of

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