First Peter One Thirteen
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

First Peter 1:13
Gird Up The Loins Of Your Mind, Be Sober, Hope To The End

I. Introduction:

A. Upon what/whom your mind is set upon matters for many reasons (Romans 8:5-8, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 1:21-22, Colossians 3:1-2, etc.)?

  1. Good actions start from within (Luke 6:43-45).
  2. Evil starts from within (Micah 2:1-2).
B. Think about a mindset of one who has an ultimate goal to reach (Philippians 3:14).

  1. Consider the mindset of Jesus (John 4:31-34 and Hebrews 12:1-3).
  2. Being goal minded (Hebrews 10:35-39).

II. Body: I Peter 1:13

A. In light of the lively hope of salvation at the end (I Peter 1:1-12), they were told “gird up.” The girding up of the mind is the point, but before we get to the specific let’s think about the phrase “gird up the loins.”

  1. Such a phrase is about buckling up garments in a manner to secure them (II Kings 4:29, II Kings 9:1, and Jeremiah 1:17).
  2. It is also used figuratively (Job 38:3 and Job 40:7).
  3. Think about the phrase in the sense of securing something upon a person’s belt (I Samuel 25:13).
B. Let’s think about buckling up your mind like one would a belt around the hips, midsection. The idea of securing your mind, one’s thoughts (Isaiah 26:3).

  1. The Greek word “διάνοια” which is translated “mind” is defined as: “1) the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring; 2) understanding; 3) mind, i.e. spirit, way of thinking and feeling; 4) thoughts, either good or bad” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon; Strong’s # 1271).
  1. Also translated “mind(s)” (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27, Ephesians 2:3, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16, and II Peter 3:1).
  2. Also translated “imagination” (Luke 1:51).
  3. Also translated “understanding” (Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 4:18, and I John 5:20).
  1. Some express conviction, but still have doubts (John 6:66-69 and John 16:30-32; cf. Matthew 28:17 and Luke 12:29).
  2. Is your understanding secured (Proverbs 19:8)?
C. “Be sober” is later translated “watch” in this epistle (I Peter 4:7).

  1. The English word “sober” is really good because clear thinking, awareness, and watching are tied together (I Peter 5:8).“Sober” [νήφω] defined: “1) to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit; 2) to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon; Strong’s # 3525).
  1. We don’t want to be troubled in mind (II Thessalonians 2:1-2).
  2. Even with persecution (I Peter 3:14).
  3. Think about the instability that comes from one’s mind not be set in the right way (James 1:8).
  1. Buckle up your understanding and watch with clear thinking in a state of awareness (I Thessalonians 5:1-10).
  2. Christians have to be on guard (Luke 21:34-38 and Acts 20:28-31)?
  3. As scattered Christians under attack (I Peter 1:1; 1:6-7; 4:12), these brethren needed to be clear in thinking as saints on a battlefield. Remember, the walk of faith is a warfare (II Corinthians 10:3-4, Ephesians 6:10-17, I Timothy 1:18, and I Timothy 6:12)?
D. Hope to the end (I Peter 1:3-4; 1:9).

  1. Tie it together as it relates to soberly looking for Christ to return (Matthew 24:35-51).
  2. If unprepared, the door gets locked (Matthew 25:1-13).
E. Grace brought at the revelation of Christ (Titus 2:11-13).

  1. Hope through grace (II Thessalonians 2:13-16).
  2. With all they are suffering through, they needed to keep looking forward. Looking forward to the appearing, revelation of Christ (I Peter 4:13).

III. Conclusion: Our next study: I Peter 1:14-16