In speaking of the “inner-relations” of Christians among themselves, the first thing that the Apostle Peter enforces on them is fervent charity (divine—“agape”—love). This love is not merely long-suffering, which prevents the outbreak of fleshly anger, but it is an energy of love which characterizes all our ways towards our brethren exhibiting the divine presence and action.
This love covered a multitude of sins not here regarding ultimate pardon, but of present relations of God in government with His people.
If the assembly is at variance, if there is little love, if fellowship among Christians is restricted and difficult, all such evils and wrongs exist before God. But if there is love, which neither commits nor resents any wrongs, but pardons such things, finding in those very sins occasion for its own exercise, the eye of God then rests upon the love rather than the evil the multitude of sins is covered.
Where there are sins, love occupies itself about them, the offender is brought back, is restored, by the love of the assembly, and the sins are removed from the eye of God they are covered.
“Hatred stirreth up strifes, but love covereth all sins” (Prov. 10:1212Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. (Proverbs 10:12)). We have a right to forgive them—to wash the feet of our brother—and we not only forgive, but love maintains the assembly before God according to His own nature so that He can bless it.
Christians ought to exercise hospitality towards each other with all liberality. It is the expression of love and tends much to maintain it; we are no longer strangers to each other.
J. N. Darby (Synopsis on 1 Peter 4, adapted)