Devine Scripture

1 Peter 4:11

What does 1 Peter 4:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Peter 4:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Peter 4:11 means

Peter gives two representative channels for using gifts. If you speak, do so “as oracles of God”—with reverence, accuracy, and a sense of holy trust, not casual opinions. If you serve, do it “as of the strength which God supplieth,” depending on divine power rather than personal stamina. The motive in both is singular: “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Ministry is God-centered, Christ-mediated, and grace-fueled. Peter punctuates with a doxology, confessing that glory and dominion belong to Jesus forever. This keeps servants humble and hopeful: the One who deserves all praise also supplies all we need for faithful work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any minister, let him do it, as of the power which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

If any one speak — as oracles ofGod; if any one minister — as of strength whichGod supplies; thatGod in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the might for the ages of ages. Amen.

Context

Verse 11 crowns the community instructions of verses 7–10, defining how to exercise gifts and for what purpose. By pairing speaking and serving, Peter encompasses public and practical ministries. The doxology anchors the church’s life “through Jesus Christ,” keeping suffering believers oriented to worship even as they labor. With this foundation laid—prayer, love, hospitality, stewardship, God’s glory—the letter shifts in verse 12 back to explicit teaching on trials, preparing readers to interpret fiery ordeals in light of Christ and the coming revelation of His glory.

v.10according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;

v.11This passage

v.12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 3:1

    Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

  • Philippians 2:11

    and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  • 1 Peter 2:5

    ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

  • Acts 7:38

    This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us:

  • Daniel 7:14

    And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

  • Matthew 6:13

    And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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