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

6For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. 7The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

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
• keepἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• ferventἐκτενήςektenēs · ferventG1618
• in your loveἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• for oneἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• coversκαλύπτωkaluptō · to coverG2572
• a multitudeπλῆθοςplēthos · multitudeG4128
• of sinsἁμαρτίαhamartia · sinG266

Cross-references for 1 Peter 4:8

• Colossians 3:14Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
• James 5:12But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
• 3 John 1:2Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
• 1 Peter 1:22Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
• 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;
• 1 Timothy 1:5But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
• Hebrews 13:1Let love of the brethren continue.
• 2 Peter 1:6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
• Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.
• Proverbs 12:16A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor.
• Proverbs 17:9He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
• Proverbs 18:13He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame 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