1 Peter 4 10

1 Peter 4:10 kjv

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10 nkjv

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10 niv

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10 esv

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

1 Peter 4:10 nlt

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

1 Peter 4 verses

1 Peter 4 10 Meaning

This verse teaches that every believer has received a unique spiritual gift from God's diverse grace. It instructs them to actively employ these gifts not for personal gain but for the benefit of fellow believers, thereby serving the body of Christ. This active use of gifts is presented as an act of faithful stewardship, acknowledging that the gifts originate from God and are to be managed responsibly for His glory and the welfare of His church. It underscores mutual service and accountability within the Christian community, highlighting God's multifaceted grace as the source of all abilities.

1 Peter 4 10 Context

1 Peter chapter 4 shifts from exhortations to holiness and endurance in suffering to instructions for Christian living in light of Christ's imminent return and final judgment. Verses 1-6 encourage living a godly life, distinct from the sinful patterns of the world. Verses 7-9 emphasize sobriety, prayer, fervent love, and hospitality as signs of the "end of all things" being near. Verse 10 directly flows from this communal emphasis, urging believers to use their God-given abilities to serve one another within the context of a loving, hospitable community as preparation for the Lord's coming. The overarching context is living as faithful followers of Christ in a hostile world, demonstrating the love of God through practical service.

1 Peter 4 10 Word analysis

• As (καθὼς - kathōs): Implies "just as" or "according as." It sets up a direct correspondence or condition. The manner of giving is tied directly to the manner of receiving and using.
• each (ἕκαστος - hekastos): Stresses individuality and universality. Every single believer, without exception, has been endowed. This negates any idea that gifts are for an exclusive few.
• has received (ἔλαβεν - elaben, from λαμβάνω - lambanō): A past tense verb, indicating a completed action. The gift is a present possession, given by divine initiative, not earned. It highlights the divine origin and gracious bestowal.
• a gift (χάρισμα - charisma): Directly from "charis" (grace). A spiritual endowment or ability given by grace. It's a special spiritual faculty for specific service to God. It underscores that these abilities are unmerited favors, distinct from natural talents, though God can sanctify natural talents for His service.
• use it (εἰς ἑαυτούς αὐτὸ διακονοῦντες - eis heautous auto diakonountes, rendered in ESV as "use it to serve one another"): "Use it" is implied from "diakonountes."
• to serve (διακονοῦντες - diakonountes, from διακονέω - diakoneō): To minister, to render service, often implies humble, practical service. This is the core purpose of the gifts. It is active, ongoing ministry to others, echoing Christ's own example as a servant (diakonos).
• one another (εἰς ἑαυτούς - eis heautous): Emphasizes mutual service within the community of believers. It highlights interdependence and shared responsibility for edification and welfare.
• as (ὡς - hōs): "Like" or "in the manner of." Introduces the description of their conduct in service.
• good (καλοὶ - kaloi, from καλός - kalos): Signifies that which is intrinsically good, honorable, noble, effective, and beautiful. Not just adequate, but excellent and morally upright in character.
• stewards (οἰκονόμοι - oikonomoi): From "oikos" (house) and "nomos" (law/rule). One who manages a household or affairs of another; a manager, administrator, or trustee. It implies responsibility, accountability, and wise management of resources entrusted. The gifts are not owned, but entrusted.
• of God's (Θεοῦ - Theou): Confirms the divine origin and ultimate ownership of the grace and the gifts derived from it. All is from Him.
• varied (ποικίλης - poikilēs): Meaning multicolored, diverse, multifaceted. It describes the rich and varied nature of God's grace, leading to an array of different gifts and manifestations. This reinforces the idea of distinct yet complementary gifts.
• grace (χάριτος - charitos, from χάρις - charis): Underscores that these gifts and the ability to use them flow directly from God's undeserved favor and benevolence. It's the enabling power behind all spiritual service.

1 Peter 4 10 Bonus section

The concept of "stewardship" in this verse connects profoundly with ancient Greco-Roman household management. The "oikonomos" was a vital figure entrusted with all aspects of a master's property, finances, and even household members. Their success was judged not by their personal gain, but by the thriving of the master's estate. This context emphasizes absolute fidelity, trustworthiness, and wise administration for the benefit of the ultimate owner. This verse implicitly opposes any selfish hoarding, misuse, or neglect of spiritual gifts, emphasizing their corporate purpose and the ultimate accountability to God. The "varied grace" of God (ποικίλης χάριτος Θεοῦ) is a rich theological phrase, pointing to God's unlimited capacity to provide every necessary gift for every unique situation and need within His people, demonstrating His adaptive and abundant love.

1 Peter 4 10 Commentary

1 Peter 4:10 acts as a direct command for all believers concerning their spiritual endowments. It establishes that receiving a spiritual gift is not an end in itself, but rather an imperative for communal service. The word "charisma" reinforces the gracious origin of these abilities, stressing that they are God's unmerited favor, not inherent personal merit. The instruction to "serve one another" (diakoneō) underlines the horizontal, practical, and humble nature of Christian ministry within the body, mirroring Christ's servant heart. Furthermore, labeling believers as "good stewards" of "God's varied grace" highlights the accountability inherent in receiving such gifts. It implies that these abilities are loans, not possessions, to be managed wisely for the owner's purposes, which include the flourishing of the church. The "varied grace" of God speaks to the multifaceted wisdom and boundless resources of the divine Giver, ensuring that a diverse array of gifts are available to meet the church's varied needs. This verse therefore calls for active, self-sacrificial deployment of God-given abilities for mutual edification and God's glory, fostering unity and strength in the body of Christ.

• Example 1: A believer gifted with hospitality welcomes strangers, providing comfort and community, thereby serving Christ.
• Example 2: A believer gifted with teaching patiently explains biblical truths to others, fostering spiritual growth within the fellowship.