1 Peter 4:8

1 Peter 4:8 ‘Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers. multitude of sins'.

‘Above all' -‘before all things' (P.P. Comm. p. 172). ‘The phrase does not intend to put love above prayer or being clear-headed, but alerts the reader that what follows is. significantly different topic and underlines love as the most important part of the following four verses.' (Davids p. 157)

‘keep fervent in your love' -‘Keep fervent'-‘present active…stretched out' (Robertson p. 124). ‘intent, earnest' (Thayer p. 200); ‘have intense and unfailing love for one another' (Amp). (1 Peter 1:22). The love among Christians must be intense (John 13:34; 1 John 3:16). ‘unity with and practical care for other Christians is not seen as an optional extra, but as. central part of the faith…Thus when applied in situations such as this it means not to slack off on love, to keep it going at full force, to be earnest about it.' (Davids p. 157). congregation can slack off on love (Revelation 2:4). Such love is essential! Persecution and difficult times can create problems among. group of people that isn't close knit. Christians at times fail to remember that it is us against the world. The only place to which we can really turn for comfort and support are fellow-members of the body of Christ. We must display to the world. strong love for our brethren, for the world is watching! (John 13:34). Who wants to join. group that is bickering? Carefully note that such an intense love is. matter of choice! We do determine how loving the congregation in which we are members becomes!

‘because' -The reason why fervent love is essential.

‘love covers. multitude of sins' -‘love throws. veil over countless sins' (TCNT). (Proverbs 10:12). ‘Covers'-‘not to regard or impute them, i.e. to pardon them' (Thayer p. 323).

Points to Note: 1. Carefully note that love doesn't ignore or downplay sins (Matthew 18:15). 2. Rather, love isn't always looking for sin: ‘But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts abound---to Satan's perverse delight…' (Grudem pp. 173-174) 3. ‘He is not advocating the ignoring of sin. However, one who is truly, genuinely interested in the welfare of others can see beyond those persons' sins to the doing of good to them in harmony with the will of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:4). …love is able to rise above being wronged and work to the welfare of the sinner.' (Hamilton p. 239) 4. Love will truly forgive when repentance happens. 4. Fervent love among Christian can prevent future sins from happening, i.e. sins caused by bitterness, strife and envy. 5. Love will give the sinner. chance to repent (Matthew 18:15) and love will also pursue the sinner (Galatians 6:1). 6. When we have intense love for brethren, we will want to forgive, we will stand ready to forgive.