Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Peter 4:11

"if any man speaketh, [speaking] as it were oracles of God; is 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." — 1 Peter 4:11 (ASV)

If any man speak. This refers to a preacher, particularly to the office of the ministry.

Let him speak as the oracles of God. This means as the oracles of God speak; namely, in accordance with the truth which God has revealed, and with an impressive sense of the responsibility of delivering a message from him.

The word translated oracles (Greek: logia) properly means something spoken or uttered; then, anything uttered by God—a divine communication, a revelation (Hebrews 5:12).

See the general duty taught here illustrated at length in Romans 12:6-8.

The passage here has a strong resemblance to the one in Romans.

If any man minister (Greek: diakonei). As far as the word itself is concerned, this may refer either to the office of a deacon or to any service which one renders to another (See 1 Peter 4:10). The word commonly refers to service in general: to attendance on another, to aid rendered to another, or to the distribution of alms, etc.

It seems probable that the word here does not refer to the office of a deacon as such. The peculiarity of that office was to take charge of the poor of the church and of the funds provided for them (Acts 6:2–3). However, the apostle here says that those to whom he referred should minister as of the ability which God giveth.

This phrasing seems to imply that it was rather to distribute what was their own, than what was committed to them by the church. The word may refer to any aid which we render to others in the church, such as distributing alms, attending on the sick, etc. .

As of the ability which God giveth. This refers to property, talent, strength, influence, etc. This is the limit of all obligation: no one is bound to go beyond his ability; everyone is required to come up to it (Luke 17:10).

That God in all things may be glorified. This means that he may be honored, namely, by our doing all the good we can to others and thus showing the power of his religion (See 1 Corinthians 10:31).

Through Jesus Christ. That is, as the medium through whom all those holy influences come by which God is honored.

To whom. This refers to God, for he is the main subject of the sentence. The apostle says that in all things he is to be glorified by us, and then adds in this doxology that he is worthy to be thus honored (See 2 Timothy 4:18).

Many, however, suppose that the reference here is to the Son of God. That it would be true of him, and appropriate .