1 Peter 4:11
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 in other translations
| BSB | If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. |
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| WEB | If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength 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. |
| ASV | if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. |
| YLT | if any one doth speak--‘as oracles of God;' if any one doth minister--‘as of the ability which God doth supply;' that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the power--to the ages of the ages. Amen. |
| DARBY | If any one speak — as oracles of God; if any one minister — as of strength which God supplies; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the might for the ages of ages. Amen. |
| BBE | If anyone has anything to say, let it be as the words of God; if anyone has the desire to be the servant of others, let him do it in the strength which is given by God; so that in all things God may have the glory through Jesus Christ, whose are the glory and the power for ever. |
| Webster | If any man speaketh let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man ministereth 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. |
What does 1 Peter 4:11 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Let him speak as the oracles of God. As the oracles of God speak; to wit, in accordance with the truth which God has revealed, and with an impressive sense of the responsibility of delivering a message from him. The word rendered oracles, (λογια) means, properly, something spoken or uttered; then anything uttered by God--a Divine communication--a revelation, Rom 3:2; Heb 5:12. See the general duty here inculcated illustrated at length in Rom 12:6-8. The passage here has a strong resemblance to the one in Romans.
If any man minister. διακονει. This may refer either, so far as the word is concerned, to the office of a deacon, or to any service which one renders to another. See 1Pet 4:10. The word commonly refers to service in general; to attendance on another, or to aid rendered to another; to the distribution of alms, etc. It seems probable that the word here does not refer to the office of a deacon as such, because the peculiarity of that office was to take charge of the poor of the church, and of the funds provided for them, (Acts 6:2,3;) but the apostle here says that they to whom he referred should "minister as of the ability which God giveth," which seems to imply that it was rather to distribute what was their own, than what was committed to them by the church. The word may refer to any aid which we reader to others in the church, as distributing alms, attending on the sick, etc. Rom 12:7,8.
As of the ability which God giveth. In regard to property, talent, strength, influence, etc. This is the limit of all obligation, No one is bound to go beyond his ability; every one is required to come up to it. Comp. Mk 14:8, Lk 17:10.
That God in all things may be glorified. That he may be honoured; to wit, by our doing all the good we can to others, and thus showing the power of his religion. 1Cor 10:31.
Through Jesus Christ. That is, as the medium through whom all those holy influences come by which God is honoured.
To whom. That is, to God; for he is the main subject of the sentence. The apostle says that in all things lie is to be glorified by us, and then adds in this doxology that he is worthy to be thus honoured. Comp. Rev 1:6; 2Ti 4:18. Many, however, suppose that the reference here is to the Son of God. That it would be true of him, and appropriate, Rom 9:5.
(a) "all things" 1Cor 10:31 (b) "to whom" Rev 1:6
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 4:7-11
The destruction of the Jewish church and nation, foretold by our Saviour, was very near. And the speedy approach of death and judgment concerns all, to which these words naturally lead our minds. Our approaching end, is a powerful argument to make us sober in all worldly matters, and earnest in religion. There are so many things amiss in all, that unless love covers, excuses, and forgives in others, the mistakes and…
1 Peter 4:11 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Peter 4:11
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 Peter 4:10
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
- Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
- Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
- 1 Corinthians 12:4
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
- Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
- Acts 7:38
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
- 1 Peter 2:5
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
- Romans 3:2
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
- James 3:1-6
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. …
- James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
- Romans 12:6-8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 8:20; Jer 23:22; Eph 4:29; Col 4:6; Jas 1:19,26; 3:1-6
as the.
Ac 7:38; Ro 3:2; Heb 5:12
if.
10
the ability.
1Ch 29:11-16; Ro 12:6-8; 1Co 3:10; 12:4
that.
2:5; 1Co 6:20; 10:31; 2Co 9:13; Eph 3:20,21; 5:20
through.
2:5; Php 1:11; 2:11
to whom.
5:11; Ro 16:27; Eph 3:21; 1Ti 1:17; 6:16; Jude 1:25; Re 1:5,6
dominion.
Ps 145:13; Da 4:3,34; 7:14; Mt 6:13; Re 5:12-14
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 1 Peter 4:10
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 4:11
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 4:12
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1 Peter 4:11 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Si alguno habla, hable conforme á las palabras de Dios; si alguno ministra, ministre conforme á la virtud que Dios suministra: para que en todas cosas sea Dios glorificado por Jesucristo, al cual es gloria é imperio para siempre jamás. Amén. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Si quelqu’un parle, qu’il le fasse comme oracle de Dieu; si quelqu’un sert, qu’il serve comme par la force que Dieu fournit, afin qu’en toutes choses Dieu soit glorifié par Jésus Christ, à qui est la gloire et la puissance, aux siècles des siècles! Amen. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Wenn jemand redet, so rede er als Aussprüche Gottes; wenn jemand dient, so sei es als aus der Kraft, die Gott darreicht, auf daß in allem Gott verherrlicht werde durch Jesum Christum, welchem die Herrlichkeit ist und die Macht von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit. Amen. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Si quis loquitur, quasi sermones Dei: si quis ministrat, tamquam ex virtute, quam administrat Deus: ut in omnibus honorificetur Deus per Jesum Christum: cui est gloria et imperium in sæcula sæculorum. Amen. |