Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
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, etc.—The oldest manuscripts have "covereth." Quoted from Proverbs 10:12; compare Proverbs 17:9. "Covereth" so as not harshly to condemn or expose faults; but forbearingly to bear the other's burdens, forgiving and forgetting past offenses. Perhaps the additional idea is included, By prayer for them, love tries to have them covered by God; and so being the instrument of converting the sinner from his error, "covereth a (not 'the,' as English Version) multitude of sins"; but the former idea from Proverbs is the prominent one. It is not, as Rome teaches, "covereth" his own sins; for then the Greek middle voice would be used; and Proverbs 10:12; Proverbs 17:9 support the Protestant view. "As God with His love covers my sins if I believe, so must I also cover the sins of my neighbor" [LUTHER]. Compare the conduct of Shem and Japheth to Noah (Genesis 9:23), in contrast to Ham's exposure of his father's shame. We ought to cover others' sins only where love itself does not require the contrary.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Peter 4:8:
Job 6:14
Acts 12:5-6
1 Corinthians 13:5
Colossians 3:14
1 Peter 1:3
1 Peter 1:22
1 Peter 4:10
2 Peter 2:22
3 John 1:2
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