Receive and Give
The manifold grace of God, 1 Peter 4:10
Peter used the same word, manifold, in 1 Peter 1:6 regarding temptations. In both verses it means various or diverse. In chapter 4, Peter uses the word to describe God’s grace: the manifold grace of God. What a blessing!
We use the word to describe an essential part of our car’s engine: the manifold. The manifold delivers fuel mixed with air to the combustion chamber. It also exhausts the spent air. Not sure how that helps, but it is an interesting use of the same word. With God, grace is the source and power of our service to others. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10
Apparently, the same grace that saves us continues with us. For we are saved by faith through faith, Ephesians 2. We are justified by grace, Romans 3:24. We grow in grace, 2 Peter 3:18. We are built up (established) by grace, Hebrews 13:9. We produce the fruit of the Spirit by His grace, Colossians 1:6. And here in 1 Peter, we minister to one another by His manifold grace.
For this reason, God says to us, as He said to Paul, My grace is sufficient to you, 2 Corinthians 12:9. Whatever our thorn is, God’s grace is sufficient. Whatever our gift is, God’s grace is sufficient. Whatever trial we are suffering, His grace is sufficient. Do not be dismayed. God knows.
John writes of this in his first letter. Chapter 3, verse 20: For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Perhaps John is writing from personal experience. Chapter 4, verse 6: We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. Again, John speaks from personal experience. Then again in the very next verse, 1 John 4:7: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
That is who you are: 1) God’s beloved, 2) born of God, and 3) one who knows God. Let the manifold grace of God flow through you as you love each other, for this love is from God.
