“Above All Things, Have Intense Love”

“The end of all things has drawn close. . . . Above all things, have intense love for one another.”​—1 PETER 4:7, 8.

JESUS knew that his last few hours with his apostles were precious. He was aware of what lay ahead of them. They had a great work to accomplish, but they would be hated and persecuted, even as he was. (John 15:18-20) More than once on that final night together, he reminded them of the need to “love one another.”​—John 13:34, 35; 15:12, 13, 17.

² The apostle Peter, who was present that night, got the point. Years later, writing shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem, Peter emphasized the importance of love. He counseled Christians: “The end of all things has drawn close. . . . Above all things, have intense love for one another.” (1 Peter 4:7, 8) Peter’s words are rich in meaning for those living during “the last days” of this present system of things. (2 Timothy 3:1) What is “intense love”? Why is it important that we have such love for others? And how can we demonstrate that we do?

“Intense Love”​—What Is It?

³ Many think of love as a feeling that must spring forth naturally. But Peter was not talking about just any kind of love; he was speaking about love in its noblest form. The word “love” at 1 Peter 4:8 is a translation of the Greek word a·gaʹpe. That term denotes unselfish love that is guided, or governed, by principle. One reference work says: “Agape love is capable of being commanded because it is not primarily an emotion but a decision of the will leading to action.” Because we have an inherited tendency toward selfishness, we need reminders to show love to one another, doing so in ways that godly principles direct.​—Genesis 8:21; Romans 5:12.

⁴ This is not to say that we are to love one another merely out of a sense of duty. A·gaʹpe is not devoid of warmth and feeling. Peter said we must “have intense [literally, “outstretching”] love for one another.”a (Kingdom Interlinear) Still, such love requires effort. Regarding the Greek word rendered “intense,” one scholar says: “It portrays the image of an athlete’s straining muscles as the last bit of strength is willed forth at the finish of a race.”

⁵ Our love, then, must not be limited to doing only what comes easily or be restricted to a select few. Christian love requires “stretching” our heart, extending love even when it may be challenging to do so. (2 Corinthians 6:11-13) Clearly, this kind of love is something we need to cultivate and work at, just as an athlete must train and work to hone his skills. It is vital that we have such love for one another. Why? For at least three reasons.

⁷ Second, it is especially vital that we love one another more now in order to extend help to our brothers in need because “the end of all things has drawn close.” (1 Peter 4:7) We are living in “critical times hard to deal with.” (2 Timothy 3:1) World conditions, natural disasters, and opposition bring hardships upon us. Under trying circumstances, we need to draw ever closer to one another. Intense love will bind us together and motivate us to “care for one another.”​—1 Corinthians 12:25, 26.

⁸ Third, we need to love one another because we do not want to “allow place for the Devil” to take advantage of us. (Ephesians 4:27) Satan is quick to use the imperfections of fellow believers​—their weaknesses, faults, and mistakes—​as stumbling blocks. Will a thoughtless remark or an unkind act cause us to withdraw from the congregation? (Proverbs 12:18) Not if we have intense love for one another! Such love helps us to maintain peace and unitedly to serve God “shoulder to shoulder.”​—Zephaniah 3:9.

¹³ Love moves us to overlook the shortcomings of others. Recall that when admonishing his readers to “have intense love for one another,” Peter gave the reason why this is so important: “Because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) To ‘cover’ sins does not mean to ‘cover up’ serious sins. Such matters are rightly reported to and handled by responsible ones in the congregation. (Leviticus 5:1; Proverbs 29:24) It would be most unloving​—and unscriptural—​to allow gross sinners to continue hurting or victimizing innocent ones.​—1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

¹⁴ In most cases, the mistakes and faults of fellow believers are minor in nature. We all stumble in word or deed at times, disappointing or even hurting one another. (James 3:2) Should we be quick to publicize the shortcomings of others? Such a course would only serve to create friction in the congregation. (Ephesians 4:1-3) If we are governed by love, we will not “give away a fault” of a fellow worshiper. (Psalm 50:20) Just as plaster and paint cover the imperfections of a wall, so love covers the imperfections of others.​—Proverbs 17:9.