1 Peter 5:11

KJV

To him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

KJV (with Strong's)

To him {G846} be glory {G1391} and {G2532} dominion {G2904} for {G1519} ever {G165} and ever {G165}. Amen {G281}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Berean Standard Bible

To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

American Standard Version

To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Peter 5:11 serves as a potent doxology, a formal declaration of praise, concluding the theological core of Peter's first epistle. Following a profound promise of God's restoration and strengthening after suffering, this verse directs all honor, power, and authority back to God, affirming His eternal sovereignty and ultimate triumph. It encapsulates the letter's message of hope and endurance, reminding believers that despite present trials, God remains supreme, worthy of unending adoration and trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [1 Peter 5:10](/1_peter/5-10 "1 Peter 5:10 - God's Grace and Restoration"), which promises that "the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, shall himself make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." The doxology of verse 11 is thus a natural and climactic response to this assurance of divine faithfulness and restorative power. It acts as a theological summation, redirecting the focus from the believer's suffering and God's intervention back to God's inherent worthiness of all praise. It also follows Peter's exhortations to humility ([1 Peter 5:5-7](/1_peter/5-5-7 "1 Peter 5:5-7 - Humility and Casting Cares")), vigilance against the devil ([1 Peter 5:8-9](/1_peter/5-8-9 "1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be Sober and Vigilant")), and reliance on God's sustaining grace, reinforcing the ultimate source of strength and victory.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter's first epistle was addressed to "elect exiles of the Dispersion" in various Roman provinces of Asia Minor ([1 Peter 1:1](/1_peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting")). These early Christians were likely experiencing social ostracism, slander, and perhaps even official persecution, as hinted by references to "fiery trials" and suffering "for the name of Christ" ([1 Peter 4:12-16](/1_peter/4-12-16 "1 Peter 4:12-16 - Suffering for Christ")). In such a context, a doxology like 1 Peter 5:11 served not merely as a formal closing but as a vital theological anchor, reminding a beleaguered community of God's unwavering control and ultimate victory, a stark contrast to the temporal powers that opposed them. The use of doxologies was a common practice in both Jewish and early Christian worship and literature, serving to affirm God's majesty and solidify communal faith.

* **Key Themes:** 1 Peter 5:11 powerfully reinforces several key themes woven throughout the epistle. The primary theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Glory**, emphasizing that despite the chaos and suffering in the world, God remains the ultimate authority, to whom all honor is due. This doxology underscores the theme of **Endurance Through Suffering**, by pivoting from the promise of God's active intervention in the lives of suffering believers ([1 Peter 5:10](/1_peter/5-10 "1 Peter 5:10 - God's Grace and Restoration")) to an affirmation of His eternal power, thereby providing a foundation for their hope. Furthermore, it highlights **Eschatological Hope**, as the phrase "for ever and ever" points to the unending nature of God's reign and the ultimate, eternal glory awaiting believers, a hope Peter introduces early in the letter ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope")). This concluding praise also exemplifies **Apostolic Doxology**, a common feature in New Testament epistles, serving as a final, faith-affirming declaration that encapsulates the letter's central theological message.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** From the base of δοκέω, this term signifies God's inherent majesty, splendor, renown, and honor. It encompasses His divine nature, His radiant presence, and all that makes Him worthy of praise and worship. In this context, it is an attribution of His intrinsic worth and magnificent character.
* **Dominion (Greek, _krátos'_):** Perhaps a primary word, _krátos_ denotes vigor, active strength, might, or ruling power. It is not merely passive power but suggests God's effective, manifest, and unchallenged authority. It implies His ability to exert control, to overcome all opposition, and to achieve His purposes with decisive power.
* **Amen (Hebrew, _amḗn'_):** Of Hebrew origin, this word properly means "firm" or "trustworthy." As an adverb, it means "surely" or "truly," and as an interjection, "so be it." In this doxology, "Amen" serves as a strong affirmation of the truth and certainty of the preceding declaration, sealing the praise with conviction and expressing the communal assent of the readers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To him [be] glory":** This phrase directs all honor, majesty, and inherent worth to God. It is an act of worship, acknowledging God as the supreme being whose very nature is glorious and deserving of all praise. The implied "be" indicates a wish or a declaration that glory is perpetually and rightly ascribed to Him.
* **"and dominion":** Following "glory," this adds the attribution of ultimate power, authority, and sovereign rule to God. It declares that God possesses and exercises absolute control over all creation, circumstances, and events, reinforcing His unchallengeable might and active governance.
* **"for ever and ever":** This temporal phrase emphasizes the eternal and unending nature of God's glory and dominion. It signifies that His reign is not bound by time, extending infinitely into the past and future. It is a declaration of His timeless existence and perpetual worthiness of adoration, offering a profound sense of security and ultimate hope.
* **"Amen.":** This concluding word serves as a solemn affirmation, expressing profound agreement and conviction regarding the truth and certainty of the preceding doxology. It is a communal "so be it," sealing the declaration of God's eternal glory and dominion with a resounding "truth" or "verily."

#### Literary Devices
1 Peter 5:11 is a powerful example of a **Doxology**, a formal literary device used to express praise and glory to God. It is a concise and elevated statement of worship, often found at the conclusion of biblical books or sections, serving to summarize the theological thrust and direct the reader's attention to God's ultimate sovereignty. The phrase "for ever and ever" employs **Hyperbole** and **Emphasis**, not in the sense of exaggeration, but to underscore the infinite and unending nature of God's attributes, reinforcing the concept of His eternal reign. The entire verse also functions as an **Apostrophe**, a direct address to God, even though He is referred to in the third person ("To him"), as it is a declaration of praise directed towards His being. The structure of the verse, with its parallel attribution of "glory and dominion," also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, enhancing its poetic and theological impact.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This doxology in 1 Peter 5:11 is profoundly theological, affirming God's absolute sovereignty and inherent worth. It serves as a powerful reminder that all things ultimately exist for God's glory and that His dominion is eternal and unchallengeable. In the face of suffering and earthly trials, this declaration provides a steadfast anchor, assuring believers that God's power will ultimately prevail over all evil and that His purposes will be fulfilled. It calls believers to a posture of perpetual worship, recognizing that God's character and authority are the ultimate realities, transcending all temporal circumstances. This understanding fosters both humility and profound trust, knowing that the "God of all grace" is also the God of all power and glory.

* [Revelation 1:6](/revelation/1-6 "Revelation 1:6 - Glory and Dominion to Christ")
* [Jude 1:25](/jude/1-25 "Jude 1:25 - Doxology to God Alone")
* [Romans 11:36](/romans/11-36 "Romans 11:36 - All Things Are From, Through, and To God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Peter 5:11 offers a profound call to worship and a powerful source of spiritual resilience for believers in every generation. In a world often characterized by instability, suffering, and the apparent triumph of evil, this verse anchors our hope in the unshakeable reality of God's eternal glory and dominion. It compels us to lift our gaze beyond our immediate circumstances and fix it upon the One who is sovereign over all. This doxology reminds us that our struggles are temporary, but God's reign is everlasting. It cultivates a spirit of humility, prompting us to surrender our anxieties and entrust our lives to His all-powerful hand. Embracing this truth transforms our perspective, enabling us to find peace in His control, courage in His strength, and joy in His unfading glory, even amidst the most challenging trials. It inspires us to live lives that reflect His glory, knowing that our ultimate purpose is to magnify His name "for ever and ever."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does affirming God's "glory and dominion" impact your perspective on personal suffering or global crises?**
* **In what practical ways can you live out the "Amen" of this verse, affirming God's sovereignty in your daily life?**
* **Considering God's eternal dominion, how does this verse motivate you to worship Him more fully and consistently?**

### FAQ
**Why does Peter conclude his epistle with such a strong declaration of God's glory?**

Answer: Peter concludes his epistle with this powerful doxology in [1 Peter 5:11](/1_peter/5-11 "1 Peter 5:11 - Doxology to God") to provide a theological anchor and a climactic affirmation of faith for his suffering readers. After exhorting them to endure trials, resist the devil, and trust in God's restorative grace ([1 Peter 5:8-10](/1_peter/5-8-10 "1 Peter 5:8-10 - Resist the Devil and God's Grace")), Peter redirects all praise and authority to God. This serves as a reminder that despite their present difficulties, God remains ultimately sovereign, His power is eternal, and His glory is the ultimate reality. It shifts the focus from human weakness and temporary suffering to divine strength and everlasting triumph, providing a powerful source of hope and encouragement.

**What is the significance of "for ever and ever" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "for ever and ever" (Greek: _eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn_, literally "unto the ages of the ages") is a superlative expression emphasizing the eternal and unending nature of God's glory and dominion. It signifies that God's reign is not limited by time or circumstance; it extends infinitely into the past, present, and future. This phrase highlights God's timeless existence and His perpetual worthiness of adoration. For believers facing temporal persecutions, it provides a crucial eternal perspective, assuring them that God's ultimate victory and their future glory with Him are secure and everlasting, far outweighing any present suffering ([2 Corinthians 4:17-18](/2_corinthians/4-17-18 "2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - Eternal Glory Outweighs Present Troubles")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Peter 5:11 directly attributes "glory and dominion" to God, its Christ-centered fulfillment is profound, as the New Testament consistently portrays Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation and embodiment of God's glory and power. It is through Christ that God's eternal dominion is fully manifested and exercised. The Father has granted all authority to the Son ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), and it is at the name of Jesus that "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Christ is the "radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). Therefore, the eternal glory and dominion ascribed to God in this doxology are perfectly and eternally shared by, and revealed through, the Son, Jesus Christ, who is the Lamb who was slain, worthy to receive "power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - The Lamb is Worthy")). Thus, this doxology ultimately points to the Triune God, whose eternal glory and dominion are perfectly revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the one through whom believers are called to "eternal glory" ([1 Peter 5:10](/1_peter/5-10 "1 Peter 5:10 - God's Grace and Restoration")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 4:11

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.

Romans 11:36

For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:6

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:13

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.