1 Peter 4:7-11: a reflection

7But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. 8And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Peter, writing in view of the end of all things, gives instructions for how believers should live, and at the center is a striking priority: Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Among all the good things he urges, sober prayer, hospitality without grumbling, using our gifts to serve, love is named as the chief, the thing above all others. And he gives a reason: love covers a multitude of sins, bearing with others' faults, forgiving, not exposing.

Notice the priority Peter gives love: above all. Of all the virtues and practices he could emphasize, he singles out earnest love for one another as the chief. And he gives it a particular strength: love covers a multitude of sins. Love does not ignore or excuse sin, but it bears with people's faults, forgives readily, covers over offenses rather than exposing and dwelling on them. A community bound by earnest love is one where sins are covered by forgiveness rather than magnified by resentment.

That sets a priority for our own lives together. Among all the good things we might pursue, Peter says love is chief: above all, love one another earnestly. And such love covers a multitude of sins, bearing with one another's faults, forgiving, choosing to cover over offenses rather than expose and nurse them. Make love your first priority in your relationships. Love one another earnestly, and let that love cover the many faults and offenses that would otherwise divide, bearing with one another and forgiving readily. Above all else, love; for love covers a multitude of sins, and holds a community together when everything else would pull it apart.

Lord, Peter urged that above all we keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Make that love my first priority. Among all the good things I might pursue, help me put love for others above all, an earnest love that bears with people's faults, forgives readily, and covers over offenses rather than exposing and nursing them. Give me that kind of love for those around me, a love that does not ignore sin but covers it with forgiveness, that holds relationships together when resentment would pull them apart. Above all else, teach me to love, and let my love cover the many faults and offenses that would otherwise divide. Fill me with earnest love for one another, for your sake.