MUTUAL LOVE AND HOSPITALITY

1 Peter 4:8-9

1 Peter 4:8–9 NKJV

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Mutual love primarily concerns believers’ relationships with each other.

Above all refers to the supreme importance of that virtue in the Christian life.

(1 Cor. 13:13; Phil. 2:2; Col. 3:14)

1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Philippians 2:2 NKJV

fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Colossians 3:14 NKJV

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Fervent (ektenēs) denotes stretching or straining and pictures a person exerting maximum effort.

Ancient Greek literature used the word to describe a horse running at full speed.

Earlier in this letter (1:22), Peter used its related adverb to describe the intensity and exertion that ought to characterize Christian love.

Such love is sacrificial, not sentimental, and requires a stretching of believers’ every spiritual muscle to love in spite of insult, injury, and misunderstanding from others

(Matt. 5:44; Mark 12:33; 1 John 4:11; Gal. 6:10; Eph. 5:2).

Matthew 5:44 NKJV

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

Mark 12:33 NKJV

And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

1 John 4:11 NKJV

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Galatians 6:10 NKJV

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Ephesians 5:2 NKJV

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

It is self-evident that genuine love inherently tends to forgive the offenses of others (Prov. 10:12).

Proverbs 10:12 NKJV

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.

But commentators differ on how to interpret the expression love covers a multitude of sins.

Some say it refers to God’s love covering sins, whereas others say it describes believers who are lovingly overlooking each other’s transgressions.

Since the text offers no explanation, it seems best to understand, Whether from God or man, love covers sin.

Love derives from the well-known Greek word agapē which carries a strong volitional significance.

(1 Peter 1:8, 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:10)

1 Peter 1:8 NKJV

whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

1 Peter 1:22 NKJV

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

1 Peter 2:17 NKJV

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1 Peter 3:10 NKJV

For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

EXAMPLE: Salvation results from the Lord’s choosing to love all those who believe.

(Rom. 5:8; John 3:16; 1 John 4:19).

Romans 5:8 NKJV

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

1 John 4:19 NKJV

We love Him because He first loved us.

As Christians we must follow His example, choosing to love even the unlovely.

(Matt 22:37-39) (John 13:34–35).

Matthew 22:37–39 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

John 13:34–35 NKJV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The command to be hospitable (literally, “to love strangers”) takes that love beyond the circle of Christians.

(Heb. 13:2)

Hebrews 13:2 NKJV

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

According to the Mosaic law, the Jews were to extend hospitality to strangers (Ex. 22:21; Deut. 14:29)

Exodus 22:21 NKJV

“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 14:29 NKJV

And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

Jesus commended believers who provided food, clothing, and shelter to others.

(Matt. 25:35–40; Luke 14:12–14).

Matthew 25:35–40 NKJV

for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Luke 14:12–14 NKJV

Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

However, the spirit of hospitality extends beyond the tangible acts of providing meals or a place to stay.

It includes not just the act, but an unselfish attitude, so that what is done, no matter the sacrifice, is done without complaint.

Biblical hospitality knows nothing of the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” mentality that says fish and guests smell after three days.

The only thing that will preserve the church’s unity is love that forgives and reaches out in kindness.

Love also plays a foundational role in the evangelization of the unsaved.

Jesus told the apostles (John 13:35).

John 13:35 NKJV

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”