Troublesome Topic: MAY WE BECOME COMPLETELY DUSTY FOR OTHERS I Peter 4

1 Peter 4:10

Translation

Just as each one has received a gracious gift to be completely dusty

for each other; [do so] as good managers

of the multi-colored grace of THEOS.

Paraphrase

Just as each of you has undeservedly received a gift for ministry from the Holy Spirit in order to energetically serve others, do so as good stewards of the multi-faceted grace shown to us by THE CREATOR AND OWNER OF ALL THINGS.

We have been graciously and undeservedly given a gifting for ministry which should be used to benefit others, not for the benefit of self. We are expected to put these gifts to good use for God and others. The word picture of becoming completely dusty for others eloquently places all the emphasis on others and none on self. It also shows the energy, intensity, and focused purpose that true service should exhibit.

Footnotes

1: "completely dusty":

We get our English word “deacon” from this Greek word. It is often rendered “to be a servant or a slave” but it comes from two words, the first of which can mean (among other things) “thoroughly, completely” and the second word is “dust,” therefore, the most literal meaning of the word is “completely dusty.” It was used to communicate the idea “to move so quickly as to kick up dust while running an errand or waiting on tables.” Unfortunately, when we Americans hear that the word is usually rendered “servant or slave,” we ask, “Which one is it? Is it a servant who has some degree of freedom, or is it a slave, who has no freedom?” But those are the wrong questions. The emphasis of the Greek was on the amount of energy being expended in the act of serving. Our emphasis should likewise be on the intensity of our service. How about you? Are you dusty?

2: "managers":

We get our English word “economy” from this Greek word, but I can think of no good way to use the word “economy” in this sentence and still make sense. So I choose one of its additional meanings – “managers”.