1 Peter 4:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 4:7-11

We have here an awful position or doctrine, and an inference drawn from it. The position is that the end of all things is at hand. The miserable destruction of the Jewish church and nation foretold by our Saviour is now very near; consequently, the time of their persecution and your sufferings is but very short. Your own life and that of your enemies will soon come to their utmost period. Nay, the world itself will not continue very long. The conflagration will put an end to it; and all things... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves ,.... Not but that charity, or love, is to be exercised towards all men, even towards enemies, but more especially towards the saints, and that under such a consideration in which it cannot be exercised towards others; namely, as their brethren in Christ, and as belonging to him, as the children of God, as redeemed by Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit; and these not only such as are of the same nation, and belong to the same... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:8

Have fervent charity - Αγαπην εκτενη· 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 more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:8

Verse 8 8And above all things He commends charity or love as the first thing, for it is the bond of perfection. And he bids it to be fervent, or intense, or vehement, which is the same thing; for whosoever is immoderately fervent in self-love, loves others coldly. And he commends it on account of its fruit, because it buries innumerable sins, than which nothing is more desirable. But the sentence is taken from Solomon, whose words are found in Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred discovers reproaches, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; more literally, before all things, having your love towards one another intense. The existence of charity is taken for granted. Christians must love one another; love is the very badge of their profession. The apostle urges his readers to keep that love intense, and that before all things; for charity is the first of Christian graces. (On the word "intense" ( ἐκτενής ), see note on 1 Peter 1:22 .) For charity shall cover... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 4:8

And 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 Proverbs 10:12; “Love covereth all sins.” For... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Peter 4:8-9

1 Peter 4:8-9. Above all things See that you remember the distinguishing badge of your religion and have, maintain, fervent charity, love, among yourselves One toward another: for love shall cover a multitude of sins It will cause us to excuse them in others, and will entitle us, through divine mercy to the expectation of forgiveness for our own numberless failings. See on James 5:20. Love covereth all things, 1 Corinthians 13:7. He that loves another covereth his faults, how many... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:1-11

Changed lives of Christ’s followers (4:1-11)Christ’s death dealt with sin once and for all. In that sense he has nothing more to do with sin. Christians are united with Christ in his death, and therefore they too should have nothing more to do with sin. They should live no longer to please themselves but to please God (4:1-2). Christians must have no more involvement with the disgusting practices of their former days, no matter how much their reformed behaviour brings jeers and insults from... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Peter 4:8

above = before. App-104 . have, &c . = having your love toward (Greek. eis) one another intense. fervent . Greek. ektenes. Only here and Acts 12:5 . Compare 1 Peter 1:22 . charity . App-135 . among . App-104 . for, &c . Compare Proverbs 10:12 .James 5:20 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:8

above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:The approaching holocaust was to be met by Christians conscious of the community of their interests and of the deep love that each was to have for every other. A number of other very practical teachings are stressed in order that the Christian community might enter the period of fiery testing with their full moral and spiritual strength.Love covereth a multitude of sins ... "The meaning is that... read more

Group of Brands