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

6After all, the Good News was told to people like that, although they are now dead. It was told to them so that they could be judged like humans in their earthly lives and live like God in their spiritual lives. 7The end of everything is near. Therefore, practice self-control, and keep your minds clear so that you can pray. Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins. 9Welcome each other as guests without complaining. 10Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others.

1 Peter 4:8 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andδέde · thenG1161
• aboveπρόpro · beforeG4253
• all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
• haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• ferventἐκτενήςektenēs · ferventG1618
• charityὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• charityἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• amongεἰςeis · towardG1519
• yourselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• forὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• shall coverκαλύπτωkaluptō · to coverG2572
• the multitudeπλῆθοςplēthos · multitudeG4128
• of sinsἁμαρτίαhamartia · sinG266

Cross-references for 1 Peter 4:8

• Colossians 3:14Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly.
• James 5:12Above all things, my brothers and sisters, do not take an oath on anything in heaven or on earth. Do not take any oath. If you mean yes, say yes. If you mean no, say no. Do this so that you won’t be condemned.
• 3 John 1:2Dear friend, I know that you are spiritually well. I pray that you’re doing well in every other way and that you’re healthy.
• 1 Peter 1:22Love each other with a warm love that comes from the heart. After all, you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. As a result you have a sincere love for each other.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of speaking what God has revealed.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12We also pray that the Lord will greatly increase your love for each other and for everyone else, just as we love you.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9You don’t need anyone to write to you about the way Christians should love each other. God has taught you to love each other.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3We always have to thank God for you, brothers and sisters. It’s right to do this because your faith is showing remarkable growth and your love for each other is increasing.
• 1 Timothy 1:5My goal in giving you this order is for love to flow from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith.
• Hebrews 13:1Continue to love each other.
• 2 Peter 1:6to knowledge add self-control; to self-control add endurance; to endurance add godliness;
• Proverbs 10:12Hate starts quarrels, but love covers every wrong.
• Proverbs 12:16When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately, but a sensible person hides the insult.
• Proverbs 17:9Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.
• Proverbs 18:13Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.

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