1 Peter 4:11 kjv
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11 nkjv
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11 niv
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11 esv
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies ? in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11 nlt
Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
1 Peter 4 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking as God's Oracle | ||
| Jer 23:28 | "The prophet who has a dream, let him tell his dream; but he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat?"... | Prophets must speak God's word, not their own. |
| Rom 3:1-2 | Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Much in every respect. Chiefly, because to them were committed the oracles of God. | The oracles (logia) were entrusted to Israel. |
| Acts 7:38 | This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. | Moses received living oracles from God. |
| 2 Tim 4:2 | Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. | Timeless call to preach God's word. |
| Titus 2:1 | But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. | Preaching sound, fitting doctrine. |
| 1 Thess 2:13 | For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God... | The message received was truly God's Word. |
| Serving with God's Strength | ||
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Strength comes from Christ for all things. |
| 2 Cor 3:5 | Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, | Our competence in ministry is from God. |
| Eph 3:7 | of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. | Ministry enablement is by God's power. |
| Col 1:29 | For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. | Striving in ministry through divine power. |
| Isa 40:29 | He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. | God strengthens the weak. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord of hosts. | Work for God is by His Spirit, not human might. |
| All for God's Glory | ||
| 1 Cor 10:31 | Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. | All actions, even daily, are for God's glory. |
| Rom 11:36 | For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. | All things originate, operate, and culminate in God's glory. |
| Isa 43:7 | "Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made." | Humanity created for God's glory. |
| John 15:8 | "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." | Bearing spiritual fruit glorifies God. |
| Col 3:17 | Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. | All actions done in Christ's name, giving thanks to God. |
| Phil 1:11 | having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. | Righteous fruit, through Christ, for God's glory. |
| God's Glory and Dominion (Doxology) | ||
| Rev 1:6 | and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. | Acknowledgment of Christ's eternal glory and dominion. |
| Jude 1:25 | to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. | Full doxology to God, through Christ. |
| Rom 16:27 | to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. | Doxology acknowledging God's wisdom and glory through Christ. |
| Eph 3:20-21 | Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. | Glory to God for His surpassing power. |
| Rev 5:13 | And every created thing which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” | Universal adoration, attributing all glory and dominion to God and the Lamb. |
| 2 Cor 1:20 | For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. | Christ is the "Yes" to God's promises; "Amen" through us for God's glory. |
1 Peter 4 verses
1 Peter 4 11 Meaning
This verse delineates the proper orientation and source for the use of spiritual gifts within the Christian community, focusing on two broad categories: speaking and serving. It mandates that anyone who speaks, whether preaching, teaching, or prophesying, must do so as if delivering divine revelations, not mere human opinions. Similarly, anyone who serves, in any capacity of ministry or practical aid, must do so not by their own strength but by the enabling power generously supplied by God. The overarching and ultimate purpose of all such spiritual exercise is that God alone might receive glory in everything, a glory that is channeled and magnified through Jesus Christ. The verse concludes with a doxology affirming God's inherent glory and eternal dominion.
1 Peter 4 11 Context
First Peter is addressed to scattered believers undergoing various forms of suffering and persecution. Chapter 4 intensifies Peter’s exhortation for faithful living in light of Christ’s suffering and the approaching "end of all things" (v. 7). This urgency informs the calls for sober-mindedness, prayer, hospitality, and, crucially, the use of spiritual gifts (v. 7-10). Verse 11 naturally follows this call to employ spiritual gifts (kharisma), dividing them into categories of "speaking" and "serving." The immediate context (1 Pet 4:7-10) emphasizes practical love and selfless hospitality among believers as expressions of these gifts. The overarching theme of the letter is enduring suffering for Christ while living a holy life that reflects God's character and truth, ultimately bringing glory to Him. The instructions on using gifts in verse 11 are not just about church function but about the spiritual health and witness of believers in a hostile world. Historically, Christians were a minority sect in the Roman Empire, often misunderstood and persecuted, necessitating strong internal unity and clear spiritual direction. This verse combats any self-glory or human-centered motivation in ministry, stressing divine enablement and theocentric purpose.
1 Peter 4 11 Word analysis
- If anyone speaks (Ei tis lalei - εἰ τις λαλει): "Lalei" (speak) is a broad term, but in the context of "oracles of God," it implies authoritative and inspired utterance beyond ordinary conversation. This refers to gifts like teaching, prophecy, exhortation.
- let him speak as one who utters oracles of God (hōs logia Theou - ὡς λογια Θεου):
- Logia (λογια): Refers to divine utterances, words of God, divine revelations, oracles, or Scripture (cf. Acts 7:38, Rom 3:2, Heb 5:12). It implies a divinely sourced message, not human wisdom or personal opinion. This emphasizes fidelity to God's truth. The speaker is merely a conduit for divine revelation, requiring careful handling and accurate proclamation of God’s Word.
- This is a strong command against adulterating or adding to God's revelation.
- if anyone serves (ei tis diakonei - εἰ τις διακονει): "Diakonei" (serves) relates to ministry, service, deaconship, hospitality, and practical aid. It encompasses all practical expressions of Christian love and service, distinguishing it from speaking-related gifts.
- let him serve with the strength that God supplies (ex ischyuos hēs choregei ho Theos - ἐξ ισχυος ἧς χορηγει ὁ Θεος):
- Ischyuos (ισχυος): Strength, ability, power.
- Choregei (χορηγει): A key term meaning "to provide," "supply," "furnish lavishly" or "equip fully." Originating from the practice of funding a chorus or public play at one's own expense in ancient Greece, it suggests a generous and complete provision.
- This emphasizes that all ability for service originates from God. It prevents self-reliance, pride, and burnout. The service should be visibly empowered by God, not merely human effort, ensuring divine, not human, credit.
- in order that in everything God may be glorified (hina en pasin doxazētai ho Theos - ἵνα ἐν πασιν δοξαζηται ὁ Θεος):
- Hina (ἵνα): Purpose clause, indicating the ultimate goal or aim.
- En pasin (ἐν πασιν): In all things, in every respect, universally. The purpose is all-encompassing.
- Doxazētai (δοξαζηται): From "doxazo," to glorify, honor, give praise. This is the singular, supreme goal of all spiritual activity. All human gifts and actions should direct attention away from the individual and towards God.
- through Jesus Christ (dia Iēsou Christou - δια Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ): "Dia" (through) indicates the means or instrument. Christ is the mediator and avenue by which glory is properly rendered to God the Father. All redemptive acts, including the operation of gifts, flow through Him, making Him central to God's glorification.
- To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. (hō hē doxa kai to kratos eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn. - Ὧ ἡ δοξα καὶ τὸ κρατος εἰς τους αιωνας των αιωνων):
- Doxa (δοξα): Glory, honor, splendor, majesty. Inherent divine attribute.
- Kratos (κρατος): Dominion, power, strength, mighty rule, sovereign authority.
- Eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn (εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων): Lit. "unto the ages of the ages," an emphatic idiom meaning "forever and ever," denoting eternity.
- This doxology concludes the practical instructions, acknowledging God's eternal majesty and sovereign reign as the ultimate recipient of all honor.
- Amen (Amēn - Αμην): A solemn affirmation, meaning "so be it" or "truly." It seals the doxology and indicates agreement and conviction.
1 Peter 4 11 Bonus section
The emphasis on divine empowerment (the "strength that God supplies") directly challenges the Hellenistic cultural glorification of human reason and eloquence. Peter directs the believers to look beyond human capacity and oratorical skill for true impact. Similarly, the call to speak "as oracles of God" countered any temptation to adopt the methods of philosophical discourse or syncretistic practices common in the Greco-Roman world, which often prioritized rhetorical flair or blending of truths rather than faithful, plain declaration of God's absolute word. This verse implicitly rebukes both intellectual pride in speaking and self-reliant activism in serving. It is a reminder that while natural talents are used, they are subsumed and empowered by the Spirit, leading to truly spiritual results that accrue glory only to God. The distinction between "speaking" and "serving" likely reflects the common categorizations of spiritual gifts found in other Pauline epistles (e.g., Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11), showcasing the complementary nature of gifts for the edification of the body of Christ.
1 Peter 4 11 Commentary
First Peter 4:11 is a pivotal verse concerning the exercise of spiritual gifts, presenting two fundamental principles. Firstly, those with speaking gifts (teachers, preachers, prophets) are not to present their own ideas or insights, but rather to faithfully declare God's divinely revealed truth ("as oracles of God"). This demands careful adherence to Scripture, acknowledging its divine origin and authority above human wisdom. The speaker becomes a vessel for God's word, emphasizing faithfulness and precision in communicating eternal truths.
Secondly, those exercising service gifts (hospitality, practical aid, acts of mercy) are instructed to do so "with the strength that God supplies." This principle guards against human exhaustion and pride. It underlines dependence on divine empowerment, recognizing that all true and effective ministry is God-enabled. When a person serves with supernatural strength, the credit goes not to their ability but to God who provided it. The word "choregei" (supplies) speaks of lavish, sufficient provision, implying that God is fully committed to equipping His servants for the tasks He calls them to.
The ultimate aim uniting both speaking and serving is explicitly stated: "in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." This teleological purpose is paramount. Spiritual gifts are not for personal recognition, group enhancement, or human prestige, but exclusively for exalting God. Jesus Christ is the indispensable channel through whom this glorification flows; all that is truly done for God’s glory is accomplished through Him, for He is the one who reveals God most fully and makes access possible.
The concluding doxology—"To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."—is a theological affirmation, echoing similar praises found throughout the New Testament. It is a powerful statement of God's inherent, eternal worthiness of all praise and sovereign authority. This concluding "Amen" seals the conviction that these principles are divinely appointed and worthy of faithful adherence. The verse guides Christians to minister humbly, relying on God's truth and strength, all for His supreme and enduring glory.
Examples:
- A preacher ensuring their sermon's core message is derived directly from the biblical text, not personal anecdotes or contemporary fads, and attributing wisdom to God.
- A volunteer serving at a soup kitchen, experiencing an inner strength or boundless compassion that surpasses their natural capacity, attributing it to God's enablement, not their own reserves.
- A worship team striving for musical excellence to magnify God's holiness, not to draw attention to their talent or performance.