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.

As {G2531} every man {G1538} hath received {G2983} the gift {G5486}, even so minister {G1247} the same {G846} one to another {G1519}{G1438}, as {G5613} good {G2570} stewards {G3623} of the manifold {G4164} grace {G5485} of God {G2316}.

As each one has received some spiritual gift, he should use it to serve others, like good managers of God’s many-sided grace —

As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

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

Context of 1 Peter 4:10

First Peter is an epistle written by the Apostle Peter to scattered believers in Asia Minor, who were facing various trials and persecutions. Chapter 4 shifts from general Christian conduct and suffering for righteousness' sake to practical instructions for living within the Christian community, especially in light of the impending end of all things (verse 7). This verse, 1 Peter 4:10, specifically addresses the responsibility of believers to use their God-given abilities for the benefit of others within the church, emphasizing unity and mutual service.

Key Themes in 1 Peter 4:10

  • Divine Endowment: The Gift: The verse begins by stating, "As every man hath received the gift." This highlights that every believer has been uniquely endowed by God with particular abilities or spiritual gifts (Greek: charisma). These are not earned but are freely given by God's grace, intended for His purposes. This concept is further explored in passages like Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, which list various manifestations of the Spirit.
  • Mutual Ministry and Service: The command "minister the same one to another" underscores the communal aspect of these gifts. They are not given for personal gain or private enjoyment, but for the edification and support of the entire body of Christ. This mutual service reflects the love and unity that should characterize believers, as also taught in Galatians 5:13: "by love serve one another."
  • Good Stewardship: Believers are called to be "good stewards" (Greek: oikonomoi). A steward is a manager of another's property, entrusted with resources and accountable for their proper use. This term emphasizes that our gifts, talents, and even our lives, belong to God, and we are responsible for faithfully managing them according to His will. This principle of accountability for what God has given us is also seen in the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
  • Manifold Grace of God: The phrase "manifold grace of God" (Greek: poikilēs charitos) implies that God's grace is diverse, multi-faceted, and varied in its expression. It's not a single, uniform type of grace, but rather grace that manifests in countless ways, enabling different individuals with different gifts to serve in different capacities. This rich and varied grace ensures that the body of Christ is equipped with all it needs to function effectively and glorify God.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "gift" here is charisma, from which we get "charismatic." It literally means "a gift of grace," emphasizing that these abilities are freely given by God's unmerited favor. The term "minister" is diakoneō, the root of "deacon," signifying active service and humble assistance. "Manifold grace" uses poikilēs charitos, where poikilēs means "varied," "diverse," or "many-colored," painting a picture of God's grace as rich and complex, providing for every need and equipping every servant with unique strengths.

Practical Application

This verse calls every Christian to a life of active service. It prompts us to:

  1. Identify Our Gifts: Recognize that God has given each of us unique abilities, whether natural talents or spiritual endowments.
  2. Use Gifts for Others: Understand that these gifts are not for personal hoarding or self-promotion, but for building up and serving fellow believers and the wider community.
  3. Embrace Stewardship: Acknowledge that we are managers, not owners, of what God has given us. We are accountable to Him for how we use our time, talents, and resources.
  4. Serve with Humility: Ministering "one to another" requires humility, recognizing that all gifts flow from the same source of God's abundant and varied grace.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 12:6

    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

  • Romans 12:8

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4

    Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:11

    But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:1

    ¶ Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:2

    Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

  • Mark 10:45

    For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
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