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

6Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God’s standards. 7For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied 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

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 3:14And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond.
• James 5:12And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall into judgment.
• 3 John 1:2Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.
• 1 Peter 1:22You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, 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, just as we do for you,
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith flourishes more and more and the love of each one of you all for one another is ever greater.
• 1 Timothy 1:5But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
• Hebrews 13:1Brotherly love must continue.
• 2 Peter 1:6to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness;
• Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
• Proverbs 12:16A fool’s annoyance is known at once, but the prudent overlooks an insult.
• Proverbs 17:9The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.
• Proverbs 18:13The one who gives an answer before he listens – that is his folly and his shame.

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