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1 Peter

About this book
Chapter 4

1 So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same attitude because the one who has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin, 2 in that he spends the rest of his time on earth concerned about the will of God and not human desires. 3 For the time that has passed was sufficient for you to do what the non-Christians desire. You lived then in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking bouts, and wanton idolatries.⁠ 4 So they are astonished when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you. 5 They will face a reckoning before Jesus Christ who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God’s standards.⁠ 7 For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. 8 Above all keep your love for one another fervent because love covers a multitude of sins.⁠ 9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 12 Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you.⁠ 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker. 16 But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear such a name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and sinners?⁠ 19 So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.

Texts in conversation

Compare 1 Peter 4:8 and 2 Clement 16:4

New Testament · Early Christian

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Summary

In 1 Peter 4, the author urges mutual care because love covers sins. In 2 Clement, the preacher applies the saying to giving to the poor, interpreting such love as repentance that removes the giver's sins.

Passages

1 Peter 4:8

New Testament
7 For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. 8 Above all keep your love for one another fervent because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
80–90 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 1 Peter

2 Clement 16:4

Early Christian
2 For if we let go of these pleasures and subdue our soul by refusing to follow its evil desires, we shall share in the mercy of Jesus. 3 But you know that the day of judgment comes even now like a burning oven, and the powers of the heavens shall melt, and all the earth like lead melting in the fire, and then shall appear the hidden and the open works of humanity. 4 Giving to the poor, therefore, is good, just like repentance from sin. Fasting is better than prayer, but giving to the poor is better than both. And love covers a multitude of sins, while prayer from a good conscience delivers from death. Blessed is everyone found full of these virtues. For giving to the poor lifts the burden of sin.
130–160 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 2 Clement

References

“... 2 Clement 16.4 contains the citation of 1 Pet 4:8 (along with Tob 12:8-9) [...] The reference to 1 Pet 4:8 is also significant for the theological claim advanced by the author. With an emphasis on the eschatological context of ethics similar to that found in 1 Peter 4, the author of 2 Clement interprets this saying from 1 Pet 4:8 as an indication that the human love demonstrated through the practice of ἐλεημοσύνη signifies one’s repentance and covers a multitude of sins for the one who shows mercy to the needy. All those who hear this sermon are commissioned as agents in this mutual assistance, for all are called to repentance. ...”
David J. Downs, Alms: Charity, Reward, and Atonement in Early Christianity (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2016), 190–191.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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1 Peter 4:8 and 2 Clement 16:4

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