Love covers over a multitude of sins

07/01/09 | Posted by ellen

I bought a new top the other day - it is white, made of linen, long and floaty. I like it. I wore it out for lunch with my mother, who said to me: 'Ellen - you look lovely, that top covers a multitude of sins'.

 heart of stone?

I know she was being kind, but I also realise that she meant that because it covered up my belly and hid my bum (both of which are larger than they might be) that the shirt was flattering. I know it was meant in love but it was a backhanded compliment.

The saying comes from I Peter 4:8 (which is quoting Proverbs 10:12) and the writer here says:

‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.’

Peter is urging the early church to live lives that demonstrate their faith - to offer hospitality to one another without grumbling, to use whatever gifts they had received to serve others, and to faithfully administer God’s grace. This was, and remains for us today, quite a challenge to a society which seems obsessed with individuality and self-serving consumerism.

I think I prefer the context of the biblical original to my mother’s adaptation.

If you want to read some more everyday sayings that have biblical origins then you need look no further than the re:jesus site.

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