1 Peter 1:13 kjv

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1:13 nkjv

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1:13 niv

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

1 Peter 1:13 esv

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:13 nlt

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

1 Peter 1 verses

1 Peter 1 13 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial transition from Peter's theological exposition of salvation and future hope (1 Pet 1:3-12) to the practical exhortations for holy living that follow. It urges believers to prepare their minds, to live with spiritual vigilance and self-control, and to direct their full and unwavering hope toward the ultimate, glorious manifestation of God's grace that will be revealed at the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is a call to active, disciplined spiritual readiness in light of eschatological hope.

1 Peter 1 13 Context

This verse serves as the lynchpin connecting the rich theological foundation of 1 Peter 1:3-12 with the subsequent call to practical holy living (1 Peter 1:14-25). Having just expounded on the believers' "living hope" (v. 3), their "inheritance" (v. 4), the "power of God" guarding them through "faith" (v. 5), the refining purpose of their "trials" (vv. 6-7), and the glorious salvation that was foretold by prophets and now preached (vv. 10-12), Peter transitions from what God has done for them to what they must now do in response.

Historically, Peter is addressing Christians in various provinces of Asia Minor who are experiencing social alienation and, in some cases, active persecution for their faith (1 Pet 1:6; 4:12-19). They are described as "elect exiles of the Dispersion" (1 Pet 1:1). In such challenging circumstances, there would be a temptation toward despair, spiritual lassitude, or conformity to worldly patterns. Verse 13 counters these temptations by grounding ethical imperatives in a firm, future-oriented hope centered on Christ's glorious return, providing a compelling motivation for present steadfastness and purity.

1 Peter 1 13 Word Analysis

• Therefore (δiὸ, dio): A strong connective adverb meaning "on account of which," or "for this reason." It establishes a logical consequence, linking the practical commands that follow directly to the theological truths just articulated about God's plan of salvation, the secure inheritance, faith, testing, and future glory. It signals a move from doctrinal understanding to its practical implications for life.

• preparing your minds for action (ἀναζωσάμενοι τὰς ὀσφῦς τῆς διανοίας ὑμῶν, anazōsamenoi tas osphÿas tēs dianoias hymōn):

  • Anazōsamenoi: This is an aorist middle participle, "having girded up for yourselves." It evokes the vivid cultural image of an individual tucking up or tightening their loose, flowing outer garments (like robes) by fastening a belt around the waist. This action was necessary to allow freedom of movement for activity like running, traveling, or manual labor.
  • Osphÿas: "Loins," referring to the waist area.
  • Dianoias: "Mind," here meaning not just the intellectual faculty, but the seat of thought, understanding, reason, intention, and judgment—the inner person, the faculty by which one comprehends and determines.
  • Full Phrase Meaning: The metaphor means to gather one's thoughts, discipline one's inner being, and rid oneself of mental distractions or sluggishness. It calls for spiritual alertness, clear thinking, and readiness to act decisively for God. It contrasts with passive or disengaged thinking, implying focused mental and spiritual discipline, like bracing oneself for a challenge. This active preparedness suggests not just knowledge, but an active posture of the will.

• being sober-minded (νηφάλιοι, nēphalioi): This word describes being self-controlled, watchful, clear-headed, and temperate. While literally pertaining to abstaining from intoxicating drink, it is consistently used in the New Testament to denote spiritual vigilance, mental clarity, and an alert, discerning spirit that is free from worldly intoxication or stupor. It stands in contrast to spiritual negligence, impulsiveness, or clouded judgment that might arise from worldly concerns, anxieties, or pursuits. This sobriety relates to both internal disposition and external conduct.

• set your hope fully (ἐλπίσατε τελείως, elpísate teleiōs):

  • Elpísate: A strong aorist imperative, "set your hope," conveying a direct command for decisive, complete action. Christian "hope" is not a mere wish but a confident, certain expectation based on God's promises and Christ's work.
  • Teleiōs: "Fully," "perfectly," "completely," or "to the end." This adverb intensifies the command, meaning the hope should be singularly focused, undivided, unwavering, and enduring until its ultimate consummation. It implies an undivided loyalty and wholehearted devotion to this future prospect. It guards against a half-hearted, wavering, or divided hope.

• on the grace that will be brought to you (ἐπὶ τὴν φερομένην ὑμῖν χάριν, epi tēn pheromenēn hymin charin):

  • Pheromenēn: Present passive participle, "being brought," or "that is being carried." It indicates a dynamic, active process – this grace is not stagnant but is already in motion towards them, an assured future reality that is constantly approaching.
  • Charin: "Grace," God's unmerited favor. Here, it refers not to the initial saving grace already received (1 Pet 1:10), but to the consummate grace—the full, final blessings, glorious reward, and complete redemption that believers will experience at Christ's return. This encompasses transformation, inheritance, and glory.

• at the revelation of Jesus Christ (ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, en apokalypsei Iēsou Christou):

  • Apokalypsei: "Revelation," "unveiling," "manifestation." It signifies the open, undeniable manifestation of Jesus Christ in glory at His Second Coming (the Parousia). This event is the definite, historical future point at which the "grace that will be brought" will be fully realized and revealed to all. It is the glorious consummation of the believer's salvation. This anchors their hope in an objective, divinely assured future event.

1 Peter 1 13 Bonus Section

The command to "gird up the loins of your mind" specifically targets the believer's inner thought life, intentions, and intellectual capacity. This highlights that spiritual discipline is not merely external conduct but originates from a transformed and focused mind. It challenges any notion of a passive faith or intellectual sloppiness, insisting that the Christian life requires active mental engagement and rigorous thinking, especially in a hostile or confusing world. The strong imperative language (aorist imperative for "set your hope") coupled with the metaphor of physical readiness points to an immediate, decisive, and unwavering commitment, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of this call. The emphasis on "future grace" at Christ's "revelation" confirms that the ultimate Christian motivation is deeply rooted in eschatology—the study of last things. Our present holiness and steadfastness are therefore inexorably tied to our confident anticipation of the Lord's return.

1 Peter 1 13 Commentary

First Peter 1:13 is a powerful call to active, disciplined, and forward-looking Christian living. Peter bridges the theological splendor of salvation with practical, ethical demands. Believers, assured of their future inheritance and God's protective power, are commanded to maintain spiritual readiness. This involves actively "girding up the loins of their mind," a vivid metaphor emphasizing mental discipline and spiritual preparedness, cutting away anything that hinders focus or movement. Paired with this is the imperative to be "sober-minded"—a state of clear, self-controlled spiritual vigilance, undistracted by worldly concerns or emotional excess. The purpose of this readiness and clarity is singular: to "set your hope fully" on the complete and final measure of God's grace that awaits them at the triumphant "revelation of Jesus Christ." This future grace is not a passive wish but a certain, incoming reality that should totally absorb their confident expectation. The verse underscores that genuine Christian hope is not detached from present conduct but is, in fact, the ultimate motivator for disciplined, holy living in a world of trials.

Examples of practical usage:

• In times of temptation, mentally 'gird up' by recalling God's word and Christ's example.
• When faced with spiritual apathy, actively re-center your thoughts on Christ's return and its implications.
• Practice 'sober-mindedness' by limiting distractions, discerning spiritual realities, and not becoming consumed by fleeting worldly affairs.