1. 1 Peter 4:11 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is meant by “in everything”?

1 Peter 4:11 (ESV)

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Our translation focuses on things, suggesting that God is glorified through actions as love, hospitality, or serving. The Greek phrase used here could just as accurately be translated as “in [or by] everyone.” Then the emphasis would lie not on the activity itself but on the doer of the activity, not so much on the hands as on the heart. As the Greek can go both ways, it is best to understand both emphases here.