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.
• 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.”
• New Living Translation (NLT)Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Context of 1 Peter 4:8

6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

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 over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
• James 5:12Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
• 3 John 1:2Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
• 1 Peter 1:22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
• 1 Timothy 1:5The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
• Hebrews 13:1Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.
• 2 Peter 1:6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
• Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
• Proverbs 12:16Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
• Proverbs 17:9Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
• Proverbs 18:13To answer before listening— that is folly and 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