In the midst of several practical instructions, Peter says: “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’” (1 Peter 4:8).
How does love cover sins? Other texts clarify the meaning.
In the absence of love, carnally minded people can harbor wrong thoughts and create unnecessary conflict. Love, however, does not behave in a way that will provoke others to sin. “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12). Paul condemns sins such as “contentions, jealousies, ...selfish ambitions, dissensions” (Galatians 5:20) as works of the flesh.
The sense in which love covers sins goes beyond just the prevention of sin. The word “cover” in other verses clearly involves forgiveness. David said: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2).
When someone offends us, but then afterward shows themselves to be repentant, we should forgive them (see Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35).
Even when we are not personally affected by another person’s sin, we must still love in a way that will help that person to receive forgiveness for their sins. James explains very well our role in helping a brother who has fallen into sin: “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
Jesus loved sinners so much that he offered them the solution to their sins. He died on the cross and invited everyone to receive the benefit of His sacrifice through the obedience of faith (Mark 16:16; cp Acts 2:38). We cannot and need not die as a sacrifice for the sins of others, but we still have a role in the salvation of sinners – the preaching of the gospel that brings salvation (Romans 1:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:2).
James spoke of converting a brother who has returned to his sinful ways. Peter told Simon that he needed to repent and pray to the Lord, seeking forgiveness (Acts 8:20-23). Paul taught that we should restore a brother who is overtaken in a trespass, acting with gentleness in the hopes of saving him (Galatians 6:1). Jude spoke of the compassion that works with urgent fear to rescue from the fire those who have become defiled (Jude 22-23).
Love helps the sinner to receive the forgiveness of God, and in so doing covers a multitude of sins.