Serving for God's Glory
7. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
8. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
9. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1Peter 4:7-11 NKJV)
Verse 7: Jesus could come back in judgement at anytime. Therefore we should all be ready to give a reason for the way we have lived. Because Christ could be coming at anytime Christians should seriously curb or get rid of any sinful passions we may be entertaining, in light of of the coming of the Lord. Peter in this verse urges us to be sober-minded (serious) and disciplined so that we can offer our prayers to God.
Verse 8: Peter is not suggesting that one Christian's love atones for another Christian's sins. Rather, by introducing this proverb from the Old Testament (see Pro. 10:12), he is reminding us that love does not stir up sins. We can demonstrate our love for our fellow believers by truly forgiving them and not talking openly about their past sins.
Verse 9: In the New Testament times, hospitality typically meant housing and feeding travelers for two or three days with no expectation of payment in return. Being truly hospitable required personal sacrifice. Therefore many who performed such acts of kindness to strangers sometimes complained behind the backs of their guests about the hardships of caring for them. In this letter, Peter exhorts those Christians to serve others cheerfully.
Verse 10: Every believer is gifted to serve. Stewarts are managers or trustees who will be held accountable for using their gift in the best interest of the One who gave it to them.
Verse 11: Those who teach God's truth to others should teach it in a reverent manner so that their hearers will respect the Word of God. Not relying on their own strength,Christians should use the power God gives us to do His will on earth.
1Peter 4:7-11 NKJV and Commentary.
