“bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
bears all things,
Note the four “all things” in each phrase. The idea is that whatever love touches in these four categories, it has the capacity to deal with “all things” without exception. Although the Holy Spirit through Paul speaks in hyperbole, the point is “all things” in God’s economy.
The word “bear” (stego) can mean (1) cover over, shelter, or (2) bear up. If the former meaning is proper here, then the idea is that love covers the sins of others and does not hang them out for all to see. Love does not gossip or listen to gossip. It does not make any difference whether the accusation is true or not. Love takes an interest in the best interests of others. This is not an issue of shielding the sin but the sinner. If the later term “bear up” is the right translation, then the idea is that love bears abuse without resentment. Obviously, this does not include sexual abuse.
Ga 6:2, Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (love).
PRINCIPLE:
Love protects the reputation of others.
APPLICATION:
Sinful human nature loves to down others to lift self. There is a perverse delight in divulging the failures of others. This appetite sells tell-all magazines, but what is worse is that this tendency embeds in the heart of carnal Christians. Love does not bear sins but bears all things. We can test our love for others by how much we cover their failures. Love does not justify their sin but exhorts them to get back on track. God did that for believers at the “mercy seat,” for the shed blood of animals covered sin (but did not remove it; only the cross removed sin).
Love protects the reputation of others. It cares whether people expose them to ridicule or accusation. Love does not gossip but can hold information within.
1 Pe 4:8, And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
love will cover a multitude of sins.”. An acquaintance of mine recently passed away. Please don't say I'm sorry. What hurt the most was the healthcare facility she was at overmedicated her "to make Betty comfortable". The medication also impaired her judgment and causing her to "lie". Sadly, because of the healthcare facility's decision, Betty's children are left without reconciliation and any potential inheritance. Doesn't love produce truth and truth produces love?
Diercksmeier, it is unclear to me the point you are making. However, biblical love is not maudlin nor requires us to overlook legal or moral issues that may affect others. That is not the point of this passage. The idea of this verse is to keep personal failures of others private and protect their reputations.
Love does NOT hide sin. God does not hide our sin; He shines light on it and requires repentance for forgiveness. I remained in an abusive relationship for decades because of this kind of reckless teaching and mishandling of Scripture.
Laura, I am afraid you are not distinguishing between the things that differ. You are right that there are certain situations where it is not proper to cover sin. This is especially true with our personal relationship to God, i.e., we must confess our sin/s (1 Jn 1:9). It is also true in the category of an abused life. However, it is not true to spread the sins of an individual believer to the community as a whole. See the last study of a series of studies on 1 Peter 4:8, https://versebyversecommentary.com/1997/11/23/1-peter-48c/