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.

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.

NASB Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

CSB If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

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.

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.

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.

What does 1 Peter 4:11 mean?

This passage is part of Peter's teaching on how Christians should love each other "strenuously" (1 Peter 4:8). He has urged us to offer hospitality without grumbling. Believers are to see all that we have as gifts from God, available to be used for serving each other. In this verse, Peter widens the idea of those gifts beyond merely material things like food, homes, and money to gifts of words and service.

Like our material possessions, these abilities to speak and serve are gifts of God's grace. So, they are likewise to be used for serving each other. Peter tells us to use them on God's behalf, with God's strength, and for God's glory. In other words, as people set apart for God's purposes, we are fulfilling His will by serving each other.

So when we speak to each other words of encouragement, we are delivering God's words. When we sacrifice time and energy to meet each other's needs, we are drawing from God's own strength. And whatever glory may come our way for these things then goes right back to God. Our lives—our talents, dollars, homes, and helping—should be spent for His purpose and to bring Him glory.

Peter concludes this section by reminding us that God is the one who deserves glory and dominion (or power) forever and ever. And, He will receive it. The choice to use our lives to bring Him glory allows us to participate in the very purpose for which the universe was created.

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