1 Peter 4:10
What does 1 Peter 4:10 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 4:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 4:10 means
Every believer has received a gift from God’s grace, not to hoard but to serve. Peter calls Christians “good stewards of the manifold grace of God,” highlighting both responsibility and variety. God’s grace comes in many forms—abilities, opportunities, resources—so the body is equipped for every need. Stewardship means recognizing the gift’s source, purpose, and accountability: it belongs to God, is meant for others’ good, and will be reviewed by Him. Service is not optional or self-chosen status; it is faithful management of what the Master has entrusted. When each member ministers according to the gift received, the community becomes a living display of God’s diverse kindness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;
KJV
King James Version · 1611As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Making distribution among one another of whatever has been given to you, like true servants of the unmeasured grace of God;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862each, according as he received a gift, to one another ministering it, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890each according as he has received a gift, ministering it to one another, as good stewards of [the] various grace ofGod.
Context
After urging hospitality (v. 9), Peter broadens the scope in verse 10 to all spiritual gifts. This continues the section on life together in light of the end (vv. 7–11). The emphasis on stewardship prepares for the two representative categories in verse 11: speaking and serving. The movement is deliberate: love motivates, hospitality practices, gifts empower, and stewardship frames the mindset. The goal remains God’s glory amid trials, which Peter will explicitly name in verse 11 before returning to the theme of suffering in verse 12.
v.9using hospitality one to another without murmuring:
v.10This passage
v.11if 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 3:8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- Mark 10:45
For the Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
- Luke 16:1
And he said also unto the disciples, There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he was wasting his goods.
- Romans 15:27
Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things.
- Titus 1:7
For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
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