And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Above all things - not that "charity" is above "prayer," but love is the animating spirit, without which other duties are dead. х Teen (G3588) eis (G1519) heautous (G1438) agapeen (G26) ektenee (G1618), 'Have your mutual (literally, toward yourselves) love intense.'] He presupposes its existence: he urges them to make it more fervent.
Charity shall cover the multitude of sins. So 'Aleph ('); but A B, Vulgate, 'covereth.' From Proverbs 10:12: cf. Proverbs 10:17:9. 'Covereth,' so as not harshly to condemn or expose; but to bear the other's burdens, forgiving and forgetting offences. Perhaps the additional idea is included. By prayer for them, love tries to have them covered by God; so being the instrument of converting sinners, 'covereth a (not "the") multitude of sins;' the former idea from Proverbs is prominent. It is not, as Rome teaches, 'covereth' his own sins; then the Greek middle 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 cover my neighbour's' (Luther). Compare the conduct of Shem and Japheth (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.