SPEAKING AS THE ORACLE OF GOD 1PET.4:11.

SPEAKING AS THE ORACLE OF GOD 

1PET.4:11.

INTROD.

a.) It is a rare and great privilege to be one of the custodians and a proclaimer Of the Divine truth to the lost World. Just as a Tertiary institution is not complete without the presence of the lecturers; an hospital is incomplete without the medical Doctors, so are the evangelists and the elders in the New Testament church, Rom.10:14; Eph.4:11.

b.) As God's servants, We are stewards of the word of grace Which is able to save men’s souls from Eternal damnation, Acts.20:32.

c.) However, much disaster or damage Is done to the souls of men whom we are called to save If we mishandle, pervert, distort the words of life Which Christ delivered unto us through the inspired writings of His Holy Apostles, John.17:8; 2Cor.2:17;2Thess.2:15.

"If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1Pet.4:11.

Analysis of 1Pet.4:11:

1. "If anyone speaks..." - Refers to prophetic or teaching ministry. 1Cor.14:2.

2. "as one who speaks the very words of God" - Emphasizes divine authority. Matt.10:18-20.

3. "If anyone serves..." - Encompasses various forms of ministry. Rom.12:4-8.

4. "with the strength God provides" - Recognizes God's empowering. 2Cor.3:5-6

5. "so that in all things God may be praised" - Ultimate goal: glorifying God.

Oracle: “a person (such as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak.”

b : a shrine in which a deity reveals hidden knowledge or the divine purpose through such a person.(Webster Dictionary.)

In the world there are many dead oracles, because they could not give life.

But here in the Bible, we have the living Oracle, which is able to give eternal life to those who obey it, Acts.20:32.

Glory due to God is denied when we abuse the word of God, and serve based on our human intelligence and not according to the strength which God supplies. 1Cor.1:21.

Let us reexamine the phrase in 1Pet.4:11;

(hōs logia Theou) - "as the very words of God" (emphasis on divine origin).

- "hōs" (ὡς): adversative conjunction, indicating manner or comparison ("as," "like")

- "logia" (λόγια): noun, plural form of "logos" (λόγος), meaning "words," "utterances," or "oracles"

- "Theou" (Θεοῦ): genitive form of "Theos" (Θεός), meaning "of God"

Translation Options:

- "as the very words of God" (NASB, ESV)

- "as one speaking the oracles of God" (KJV)

- "as speaking God's words" (NIV)

Meaning:

The phrase emphasizes that the speaker's words should be:

1. Divinely inspired: conveying God's message.(It is not motivational talks, financial talks, health talks,etc)

2. Authoritative: carrying the weight of God's authority.(It is not words that appease the worldly minds nor seeking men’s applause) Acts.5:20,29.

3. Accurate: reflecting God's character and truth.

God is holy and faithful thus, the who speaks must showcase God's holiness and righteousness as being revealed in the Bible, 1Pet.1:1:15-17.

Other N.T passages where the word "logia" is found;

1. Acts 7:38 - "living oracles (logia)" (Moses receiving divine words)

2. Romans 3:2 - "the oracles (logia) of God" (Scripture as divine revelation)

3. 1 Peter 4:11 - "speaking as the oracles (logia) of God" (prophetic speech)

4. Hebrews 5:12 - "the oracles (logia) of God" (basic teachings of Christianity).

_Contextual Significance:_

In 1 Peter 4:11, "hōs logia Theou" stresses the importance of:

1. Prophetic speech: speaking under God's inspiration.

2. Faithful representation: accurately conveying God's message. God condemned the prophets at Jerusalem because of their poor representation, Jer.23:14-16

3. God-centered ministry: prioritizing God's glory.

_Theological Implications:_

1. Divine authority: recognizing God as the source of truth.Jhn.14:6; 17:17; 18:37-38; Eph.4:21.

2. Verbal inspiration: understanding Scripture as God-breathed. 2Tim.3:16-17

3. Ministerial accountability: speaking and serving as God's representatives.1Cor.2:13-14

_Reflection Questions:_

1. How do I ensure my words reflect God's truth?

2. In what ways can I prioritize divine authority in my speech?

3. How can I accurately represent God's message?

SPEAKING AS THE ORACLE OF GOD INVOLVES;

The exegesis of a scriptural passage, Matt.22:29; 2Pet.1:20-21.

It is good to know the distinction between exegesis and Eisegesis; understand the principles of hermeneutics,and Bible dispensations.

The avoidance of enforcing or importing our notions into the word of God, Mk.7:6-9,13.

The freedom from greed, material gains and self-glorification, Acts.8:14-17; 1Tim.6:6-11.

The hard work of a good soldier, 2Tim.2:3,15,24,25.

The determination of a scribe to live the word, Ezra.7:10; Acts.1:1-2

          But we have renounced hidden, shameful ways, not behaving with craftiness, or handling the word of God deceitfully, but by making the truth clear we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.,2Cor.4:2.

The putting on of the humility of Christ (i.e laying down our ego to admit our flaws), Phil.2:3-5; Jam.1:18.

The courage of a lion, Proverbs.28:1

          1 Peter 3:15 - "always be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and reverence, having a good conscience, so that...you may sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, as the Lord, being ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason (logos) of the hope that is in you" (apologetics).

Apostles were imprisoned and stoned at other places yet they were unmoved by those threats, they kept on teaching the words of life accurately, Acts.5:20,29; 14:20-22.

Note: 1 Peter 4:11 (logia) vs. Matthew 12:37 (logos) - Logia focuses on prophetic speech, while logos emphasizes the importance of individual words.

Sometimes, use of Hebrew or Greek dictionary is necessary to give us full understanding of certain words from a scriptural passage.(logos).

C. REASONS WHY PREACHERS OFTEN FAIL TO SPEAK AS GOD'S ORACLE ?

Preaching to please men (such teachers have been bought with money), Acts.8:14-17.

Preaching to attract Material gains,Tit.1:10-11

Preaching to avoid persecution, Jhn.10: Rev.21:8 

Too busy to have personal study ,1Tim.4:13

Feelings of overconfidence,2Cor.11:13-15,2Pet.1:20-21

 Spiritual laziness, Rom.12:11

 Sense of guilt (Hypocrisy), Lk.12:1-3.

 Pride or selfish ambition, 3Jhn.9 

Home/marital flaws, 1Tim.3:4-5.

Overburdened with worldly cares, Lk.21:34

So watch yourselves, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come like a trap on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Therefore watch, and pray always, so that you may be counted worthy to escape all those things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man”. Lk.21:34-36

D. The dangers of not speaking as the Oracle of God .

1.Corrupting the word of God,2Cor.2:17.

2. Causing division among the brethren, Prov.6:18;Rm.16:17-18.

3. It weakens our good fight against the denominational worship and false prophets, John.17:20-21.

4. Leads to spiritual illnesses, blindness and the spread of immoralities, Jer.23:14; Rev.2:14-16.

5. Leads to eternal damnation, Phil.3:18-19; 2Pet.2:1-3; 3:16-17.

Note: Exegesis and eisegesis are two approaches to interpreting the Holy Scriptures:

Exegesis

Exegesis (from Greek "exēgeō," meaning "to lead out") involves:

1. Careful analysis of the text's historical and cultural context.

2. Understanding the author's intended meaning.

3. Examining the language, grammar, and syntax.

4. Considering the literary genre and structure.

5. Drawing conclusions based on the text's internal evidence.

Exegesis aims to:

1. Uncover the original author's message.

2. Understand the text's historical and theological significance.

3. Apply the text's principles to contemporary life.

Eisegesis

Eisegesis (from Greek "eisēgeō," meaning "to lead into") involves:

1. Imposing personal opinions or biases onto the text.

2. Reading into the text what isn't explicitly stated.

3. Ignoring or dismissing the historical and cultural context.

4. Forcing modern interpretations onto ancient texts.

5. Using the text to support preconceived notions.

Eisegesis risks:

1. Misinterpreting the author's intended meaning.

2. Creating subjective, personal interpretations.

3. Ignoring the text's original context and significance.

Conclusion;

Having learnt what it means to speak as the Oracle of God, reasons for our failures, dangers of not speaking accurately, 

How well have you been presenting God’s words in our various congregation ? Are we speaking God’s truth at all times or at will? Do we remember that it is expected of God's stewards to be faithful?

Are preaching out of strive or love?

Remember, it is a great privilege to serve Christ and to proclaim His soul-saving Gospel to all creatures, yet the solemn warning still remains:  

“The prophet who has a dream,

let him tell a dream;

and he who has my word,

let him speak my word faithfully.

What is the chaff to the wheat?

says the LORD.

Is not my word like a fire?

says the LORD, and like a hammer

that breaks the rock in pieces?”Jer.23:28-29.

For the sake of judgement which will begin with us, let us speak God's truth accurately with godly fear and let us come to repentance. 1Pet.4:17-18.

By Brother Opemipo Olusola.

Delivered at the Preachers Meeting held at the Hall of The Church of Christ Koloko, Olopo-meta 

Ibadan Oyo State.

18th Jan. 2025.