1 Peter 4:10-11

1 Peter 4:10-11 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if 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.

Expanded Translation

According as every man was gifted by God, employing this same gift, be serving and ministering among yourselves as good stewards (caretakers, managers) of the grace of God which is abundant and many-sided. If any man speaks, let his words be uttered as words of God. If any man is performing a service, let him do so as one who serves out of the strength which God supplies, that in everything God may receive glory through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the might (power, dominion) for ever and ever. (Literally, into the ages of the ages). Amen.

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according as each has received a gift

Or gifted as above. It is difficult here to know for certain whether the Holy Spirit has reference to extraordinary powers and manifestations of the Holy Spirit (as in Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:31, etc.), or if the reference is simply to natural talents with which God has equipped every person, though not in the same measure or with the same gifts. The literal meaning of gift, according to Thayer is: a gift of grace; a favor which one receives without any merit of his own. Many would refer its usage here to the class of extraordinary powers. However, in such passages as 2 Corinthians 1:11, 1 Corinthians 7:7, and possibly Romans 11:29, the word has a more general significance. Thus Moulton and Milligan tells us it is used of gifts generally.. They list several such usages in the Papyri. This general usage of the wordreferring to whatever abilities or talents one might be able to use for Christseems to be intended here. That it included more than the direct miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, seems to me to be shown in 1 Peter 4:11, for such a gift was certainly not necessary to qualify as a server or even as a deacon.

The idea, I believe, is that whatever we have, we must use in God's service.

ministering it among yourselves

Diakoneo. One immediately notices the relationship of this word to the word deacon, as it is the verb form of the word so translated. Hence, several lexicographers give it the meaning perform the duties of a deacon or some similar rendering. This is a possibility here, but again it is probably better to take the word in a general rather than a specific sense, as in 1 Peter 1:12.[13]

[13] Also so used in John 12:26, Acts 19:22, Philemon 1:13.

as good stewards of the manifold grace of God

A steward was commonly a superior slave of proven character, who looked after the accounts and functions of the household. We are managers, caretakers, and overseers of God's gifts of grace to us! How, Christian, are you using what God has given to you? Are you a competent and careful steward of that which he has loaned you for a whileor are you foolishly squandering it for your good and pleasure? We should be stewards that have the best interests of our Master at heartemploying our time and energy for His benefit!

if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God

An oracle is a word or message. If the gift of 1 Peter 4:10 had reference to natural endowments, 1 Peter 4:11 provides a further exhortation to cultivate such capacities and use them profitably in the Lord's service.

If gift in 1 Peter 4:10 has reference to the spiritual gifts (miraculous), then the exhortation here would be to rightly use such a gift (prophesy?) so that others would know that that person was speaking from God.

if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth

Referring to the same one who is ministering his gift among the congregation (1 Peter 4:10). He must recognize, acknowledge, and call upon the power of God, for in Him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28).

that in all things God may be glorified

The ultimate purpose of all our service: whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).