1 Peter 4:11 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.
Peter continues a short list of different gifts God gives to us as expressions of his grace. The first in the verse is speaking. The Bible says a lot about the words we speak. They have the power of healing or poison, life or death. They reveal what is inside our hearts. We all speak words, though some will speak many more words than others. Modern translations tend to butcher the simple Greek: “if anyone speaks, as words from God.” Whatever we speak, they should be as words filled with God’s wisdom, power, grace, and appropriateness. Are the words we speak honoring to God? Are they as if they came from God? In a way, such words are prophecy (“speaking forth”) and preaching (the gospel in all its nuances). Second is serving, realizing that our strength to serve is not from our selves but God. This can be especially difficult when there is stress in the situation, possibly even persecution and suffering. When people are out to harm us, it can be especially difficult to serve and to speak in the image of Christ. If we allow God to grow us into the likeness of Christ and if we are open and obedient to the Holy Spirit, people will see God’s grace and love at work. What we say and do will bring glory to God. Peter is setting a high standard for his readers. It is one that God desires because it is one of the strongest witnesses we can have in this world. What power and difference would it make if all God’s children did this?
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