Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Parallel translations
- WEB And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
- KJV And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
- NKJV And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
- NASB Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
- NLT Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Above all, believers should love one another earnestly, because love covers a multitude of sins. It places love at the center of Christian community life.
Overview
Peter prioritizes fervent mutual love within the church. 'Love covers a multitude of sins' (echoing Proverbs 10:12) means that love readily forgives and overlooks offenses rather than exposing them. Such love reflects the forgiving heart of God shown supremely in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Prov 10:12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
- Col 3:14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
- Prov 17:9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
- Jas 5:20consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
- 1 Pet 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 Cor 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 Th 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 Th 4:9–10Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
- Heb 13:1Continue in brotherly love.
- 1 Tim 1:5The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
- 2 Th 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.
- 2 Pet 1:6–7and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
- Prov 12:16A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
- Prov 18:13He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
- 3 Jn 1:2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
- Jas 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.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The lamb without blemish foreknown before the world, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, by whose wounds we are healed — the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.
How 1 Peter 4:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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