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.
ει τις λαλει ως λογια θεου ει τις διακονει ως εξ ισχυος ως χορηγει ο θεος ινα εν πασιν δοξαζηται ο θεος δια ιησου χριστου ω εστιν η δοξα και το κρατος εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων αμην
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
It is not only the one who has money who must share with the one who lacks. The same is true of one who has other natural gifts, for the one who formerly did not have them received them from God in order to share them with the one who lacks.
Those who open their house to guests should meet them with joy and readiness, not as though giving something, but rather as receiving twofold.
For first, they enjoy the happiness of those whom they receive. Second, they receive in addition the reward for hospitality.
In giving shelter to the brethren, let them not be troubled about abundant provision, nor be anxious about what exceeds ordinary labors and is not necessary.
For everywhere and in every matter excess is burdensome. It instills fear in those who wish to be hospitable, and proves tormenting for those who are entertained.
Do not consider that this guest constrains you, troubles you, and weakens your strength. Rather, in the difficulties that seem to arise, show him your goodwill.
He clearly speaks as if saying: use the good for your neighbors humbly, because what you have is not from yourselves. For every wing of virtue (Ezek. 1:23), when it is stretched out by a gift toward the neighbor, will not be made straight unless it has humility.
Clearly Peter fears lest he say or prescribe anything contrary to the will of God or to what is plainly commanded in the sacred Scriptures. Otherwise he might appear to be a false witness of God or a sacrilegious man, introducing something foreign into the Lord's teaching. He might also plainly pass over and neglect something that is pleasing to God.
"If anyone speaks, as the words of God," with "let him speak" understood, refers to the office of a teacher in the Church. "If anyone serves" (διακονεί), "as from the strength of God," refers most directly to the office of deacon (Acts 6:1), but in general to every ministry in the Church (1 Cor. 4:1). "From the strength" means not only bodily strength, or ability of soul, or the power of grace shown in a gift. It also means material goods, by which Christians served the work of charity; compare 2 Cor. 8:3-4.
"If anyone speaks," and so forth. Among the manifold gifts by which believers, serving one another, serve the action of God's manifold grace in the Church, the apostle indicates in particular two kinds of gifts.
These are gifts related to word and to deed, that is, to teaching and to outward action. The general thought of the instruction is that one must serve with these gifts in faithfulness and humility.
"If anyone speaks": this word here means every manner and kind of teaching in general: discourse, exhortation, consolation, persuasion, and so forth (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:8-10).
"Let him speak as the words of God": speak the truth with conviction, humility, and reverence. An idle and corrupt word must not come from the tongue, as something not in accord with the word of God.
One who has the gift of speech must dedicate his word to God.
"If anyone serves": the manifold ministries in the Church are meant, both special and general (v. 10). "According to the strength": according to the measure of strength, not lazily and not burying talents in the ground like the slothful servant in the parable (Mt 25:24-30).
Both spiritual and bodily powers are meant. The aim of all such and similar moral actions of believers toward one another (vv. 7-11) is this: that in everything believers do, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
Believers have received all their goods from God through Jesus Christ. They must give everything back to God through Him for the glorification of God (Mt 5:16).
"To Whom," that is, to Jesus Christ, "belong glory and dominion." The Lord Himself offered a similar doxology to God His Father (Mt 6:13).
The apostle offers such a doxology to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, thereby indicating that He is God, equal in honor to His heavenly Father (cf. 1 Pet 5:10; 2 Pet 3:18).
"To this," he says, "I exhort you, so that God may be glorified in all, whether they be pagans or those near to you" (Theophylact).
Instructions concerning the mutual relations of Christians with one another (1 Pet. 4:8-11). From the general rule of mutual love, "which covers a multitude of sins" of one's neighbor, in awareness of one's own many weaknesses, the Apostle draws the following particular rules: "Serve one another, each with the gift he has received. If anyone speaks, let him speak the words of God," that is, as though God Himself were speaking through your mouth: edifyingly, holily, and truthfully. "If anyone serves, let him serve by the strength which God supplies," that is, faithfully and as diligently as you can, "that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
The apostle's indication of the Lord's judgment was given to strengthen Christians for the endurance of sufferings and to awaken them to a watchful Christian life.
Therefore he now invites Christians to be prudent, that is, circumspect everywhere and in everything, and to be watchful in various kinds of prayers.
Thus they will be better prepared to meet the Lord the Judge and will spend their time cheerfully (see Eph 5:19), not like the pagans in entertainments, among which every shameful deed was permitted.
Next the apostle exhorts them to have love, and indeed fervent love. This is the kind of love to which a Christian must rouse himself, since a Christian must love even those who do not love him.
The covering of sins by love can be understood in the broadest sense, both with respect to those who love (cf. Jas 5:20) and with respect to those who are loved.
For the latter, under the influence of love, may become gentler and in turn may exert a beneficial influence on others (cf. Prov 10:12).
As special, particular works of love, the apostle points to hospitality (cf. Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2). This work, like all works in general, he commands everyone to perform according to his means or gifts of grace.
In the first verse one may see an indication that among the first Christians there existed, among other things, certain special gifts (cf. 1 Cor 12:4).
These, however, were not gifts independent of God, such as uncalled teachers sometimes boasted of (cf. 1 Tim 1:7).
Among such divine gifts the apostle points to the gift of teaching and the gift of service. By service one may understand the manifold church and prayerful ministries in which he earlier advised them to spend their time while watching.
"To this," he says, "I exhort you, so that God may be glorified in all, whether they be pagans or those near to you."
Service to neighbors must be service to the glory of God. Everyone who speaks must have this glory in view, that is, everyone who has undertaken the labor of enlightening his neighbors through preaching.
Whatever he preaches about, he must preach "as the words of God." That is, in his sermons he must be guided not by his own private speculations, but by divine revelation.
This revelation is contained in the books of the Word of God, or is received directly from God as an extraordinary gift of the Holy Spirit.
Among the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit, common in the apostolic age, were the gifts of prophecy, teaching, and exhortation (Rom 12:6-8).
"If anyone serves," let him serve "as from the strength which God supplies." The discussion concerns service to neighbors in bodily needs.
Whoever has accepted this service, the care of the sick, the poor, and the like, must fulfill this holy work "according to the strength which God gives."
His service will be successful only when he relies not on his own strength, but on God's help, and humbly thinks of himself as an instrument of God's providence for the needy.
Everything must be done to the glory of God. Both teaching and service to neighbors in bodily needs must be done so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
That is, God Who appeared in Christ, to Whom belong glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 38 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS