4:8a

Above all: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Above all here means that what Peter is about to say is very important. He is not necessarily saying that what he is about to say is more important than what he has just said. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

Most important of all (Contemporary English Version)

love one another deeply: The Greek word translated as deeply intensifies the command to love each other. Peter wanted his readers to care a lot about one another. You could also translate this as:

warmly (God’s Word)
-or-
sincerely (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
fervently

This word also occurred in 1:22. See how you translated it there.

4:8b

because: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because explains the reason why believers are to “love each other deeply” in 4:8b. This reason is stated here in this verse part. Connect 4:8b to 4:8a in a way that is natural in your language. Other ways that is word is translated include:

for (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Since (Revised Standard Version)

love covers over a multitude of sins: This may be a proverb that was in common use in New `Testament times. See Proverbs 10:12 and James 5:20. In this context it can be interpreted in two ways:

(1) If a person loves other people, he forgives and forgets the wrong they have done to him. For example:

NET Bible footnote: “Christian love is patient and forgiving towards the offences of a fellow Christian.”

(NET Bible)

(2) If you love one another, God will forgive your sins. This is perhaps implied by the New Century Version:

love will cause many sins to be forgiven

(New Century Version)

Most English translations do not say explicitly who loves and whose sins are covered. However, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The person who loves a fellow Christian covers or forgives their sins. This is the view of the majority of modern commentators.

covers over: In this context, covers over means “forgives.” A literal translation may suggest that sins are hidden, that is, concealed or kept secret. That is not what Peter meant here. A person who wishes his sins to be covered may first need to confess them to God and other people. Some other ways covers over has been translated are:

cancels (Revised English Bible)
-or-
wipes away (Contemporary English Version)

a multitude: The phrase a multitude means “many.” However, a literal translation may imply that there will be sins the believer can choose not to forgive. This is not the meaning here. In some languages, it may therefore be necessary to translate this as part of the verb, indicating that the one who loves forgives sins frequently or regularly. For example:

⌊you⌋ will keep on forgiving ⌊their⌋ sins

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