1 Peter 1:13

King James Version (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;

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Gird up the loins of your mind - Take courage from this display of God's love now made known to you; and though you must expect trials, yet fortify your minds with the consideration that he who has given you his Son Jesus will withhold from you no manner of thing that is good. The allusion here is to the long robes of the Asiatics, which, when they were about to perform any active service, they tucked in their girdles: this they did also when they waited on their superiors at meals.

Hope to the end for the grace - Continue to expect all that God has promised, and particularly that utmost salvation, that glorification of body and soul, which ye shall obtain at the revelation of Christ, when he shall come to judge the world.

But if the apostle alludes here to the approaching revelation of Christ to inflict judgment on the Jews for their final rebellion and obstinacy, then the grace, χαριν, benefit, may intend their preservation from the evils that were coming upon that people, and their wonderful escape from Jerusalem at the time that the Roman armies came against it.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind - The allusion here is to the manner in which the Orientals were accustomed to dress. They wear loose, flowing robes, so that, when they wish to run, or to fight, or to apply themselves to any business, they are obliged to bind their garments close around them. See the notes at Matthew 5:38-41. The meaning here is, that they were to have their minds in constant preparation to discharge the duties, or to endure the trials of life - like those who were prepared for labor, for a race, or for a conflict.

Be sober - See the 1 Timothy 3:2 note; Titus 1:8; Titus 2:2 notes.

And hope to the end - Margin, “perfectly.” The translation in the text is the most correct. It means that they were not to become faint or weary in their trials. They were not to abandon the hopes of the gospel, but were to cherish those hopes to the end of life, whatever opposition they might meet with, and however much might be done by others to induce them to apostatize. Compare the notes at Hebrews 10:35-36.

For the grace that is to be brought unto you - For the favor that shall then be bestowed upon you; to wit, salvation. The word brought here means, that this great favor which they hoped for would be borne to them by the Saviour on his return from heaven.

At the revelation of Jesus Christ - When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven in his glory; that is, when he comes to judge the world. See the notes at 2 Thessalonians 1:7.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

As the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gathered in their long and loose garments, that they might be ready in their business, so let Christians do by their minds and affections. Be sober, be watchful against all spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate in all behaviour. Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment of yourselves. A strong and perfect trust in the grace of God, is agreeable with best endeavours in our duty. Holiness is the desire and duty of every Christian. It must be in all affairs, in every condition, and towards all people. We must especially watch and pray against the sins to which we are inclined. The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way. God makes those holy whom he saves.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

13. Wherefore. In view of the blessings and hopes contained in the revealed splendor of gospel (vs. 3-12), Peter proceeds with his exhortation.

Gird up. Gr. anazÅÂnnumi, literally, “having girded up,” denoting an action already performed. AnazÅÂnnumi was used to describe the action of the Oriental in gathering up the long folds of his outer garment and tucking them into his waistband or girdle prior to such physical effort as walking or running (see on Ps. 65:6; cf. Luke 12:35; Eph. 6:14). In view of the priceless gift of salvation (1 Peter 1:9, 10) Peter exhorts his hearers similarly to prepare their minds for diligent activity.

Loins. Or, “waist,” where a girdle is worn. The word is here used metaphorically to complete the picture suggested by “gird up.”

Mind. Gr. dianoia (see on Luke 1:51). The Christian should gather up the loose ends of his thinking, should cease speculating on unprofitable topics, and should exercise his mind on the great truths of salvation revealed by the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11).

Be sober. Gr. nÄ“phÅÂ, used in classical Greek for abstention from intoxicating drink, but consistently employed in a metaphorical sense in the NT to indicate intellectual and spiritual sobriety and balance (cf. on 1 Thess. 5:6; 2 Tim. 4:5; 1 Peter 4:7; 5:8).

End. Gr. teleiÅÂs, “fully,” “perfectly,” an adverb that may qualify the previous verb, nÄ“phÅÂ, giving the thought “be perfectly sober”; or it may qualify “hope,” with the sense “hope fully,” that is, persevere in hope.

Grace. Gr. charis (see on John 1:14; Rom. 3:24). Here, “grace” refers to blessings conferred by the gospel.

Is to be brought. Literally, “is being brought,” implying a continual reception of grace.

Revelation. Gr. apokalupsis (cf. vs. 5, 7). Peter here sets forth the Christian walk as a growing realization of the presence of Jesus Christ, a deepening fellowship that surpasses the closest earthly friendship. Day by day the life and work of the Saviour will be increasingly revealed to the child of God until the final “revelation” occurs at the second coming. Those who adoringly view Him then will be those who have already come to know Him in this life.

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Ellen G. White
The Adventist Home, 54

The holiness of the oracles of God is not loved by very many who claim to be Bible Christians. They show by their free, loose conduct that they prefer a wider scope. They do not want their selfish indulgences limited.¹⁵ AH 54.1

Guard the Affections—Gird up the loins of your mind, says the apostle; then control your thoughts, not allowing them to have full scope. The thoughts may be guarded and controlled by your own determined efforts. Think right thoughts, and you will perform right actions. You have, then, to guard the affections, not letting them go out and fasten upon improper objects. Jesus has purchased you with His own life; you belong to Him; therefore He is to be consulted in all things, as to how the powers of your mind and the affections of your heart shall be employed.¹⁶ AH 54.2

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Ellen G. White
The Adventist Home, 57

Trifling With Hearts—To trifle with hearts is a crime of no small magnitude in the sight of a holy God. And yet some will show preference for young ladies and call out their affections, and then go their way and forget all about the words they have spoken and their effect. A new face attracts them, and they repeat the same words, devote to another the same attentions. AH 57.1

This disposition will reveal itself in the married life. The marriage relation does not always make the fickle mind firm, the wavering steadfast and true to principle. They tire of constancy, and unholy thoughts will manifest themselves in unholy actions. How essential it is, then, that the youth so gird up the loins of their mind and guard their conduct that Satan cannot beguile them from the path of uprightness.⁶ AH 57.2

Deceptive Practices in Courtship—A young man who enjoys the society and wins the friendship of a young lady unbeknown to her parents does not act a noble Christian part toward her or toward her parents. Through secret communications and meetings he may gain an influence over her mind, but in so doing he fails to manifest that nobility and integrity of soul which every child of God will possess. In order to accomplish their ends, they act a part that is not frank and open and according to the Bible standard, and prove themselves untrue to those who love them and try to be faithful guardians over them. Marriages contracted under such influences are not according to the word of God. He who would lead a daughter away from duty, who would confuse her ideas of God's plain and positive commands to obey and honor her parents, is not one who would be true to the marriage obligations.... AH 57.3

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Ellen G. White
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 544

Few realize that it is a duty to exercise control over the thoughts and imaginations. It is difficult to keep the undisciplined mind fixed upon profitable subjects. But if the thoughts are not properly employed, religion cannot flourish in the soul. The mind must be preoccupied with sacred and eternal things, or it will cherish trifling and superficial thoughts. Both the intellectual and the moral powers must be disciplined, and they will strengthen and improve by exercise. CT 544.1

In order to understand this matter aright, we must remember that our hearts are naturally depraved, and we are unable of ourselves to pursue a right course. It is only by the grace of God, combined with the most earnest effort on our part, that we can gain the victory. CT 544.2

The intellect, as well as the heart, must be consecrated to the service of God. He has claims upon all there is of us. The follower of Christ should not indulge in any gratification, or engage in any enterprise, however innocent or laudable it may appear, which an enlightened conscience tells him would abate his ardor or lessen his spirituality. Every Christian should labor to press back the tide of evil and save our youth from the influences that would sweep them down to ruin. May God help us to press our way against the current. CT 544.3

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Ellen G. White
The Faith I Live By, 316.5

Every one should have an aim, an object, in life. The loins of the mind should be girded up, and the thoughts be trained to keep to the point, as the compass to the pole.... Worthy purposes should be kept constantly in view, and every thought and act should tend to their accomplishment. Let there ever be a fixedness of purpose to carry out that which is undertaken. FLB 316.5

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