Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Peter 5:8

"Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour," — 1 Peter 5:8 (ASV)

Be sober, be vigilant.—These are single words in the Greek, and in the tense which indicates immediate attention. The best text omits the following “because.” These are the sudden cries of warning from a shepherd who spies the lion prowling around the flock in the darkness, while the guardians of the flock lie drowsy and complacent.

As a roaring lion.—The epithet is not only added to lend terror to the description, but the roaring also implies hunger and determination.

Walketh about.—Compare to Job 1:7 and Job 2:2. Saint Peter, however, is not calling attention to the fact that Satan is always prowling about, but he warns the sleeping shepherds that he is especially doing so now. This season of persecution was precisely his time for picking off one here and another there.

Seeking whom he may devour.—It is perhaps even more expressive to say, “seeking which he may devour.” Satan is eyeing all the Christians in turn to see which one he has the best chance of overcoming, not merely stalking forth vaguely to look for prey.