Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 1:13

"Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" — 1 Peter 1:13 (ASV)

“Therefore” relates this section to the previous one, which gives the basis of the commands in these verses; the reception of salvation must result in a life of holiness, reverence, and love. Moreover, since the prophets and the angels take great interest in this salvation, how much more should Christians pay careful attention to its results! Peter here changes to the imperative, citing commands that give specific direction to his readers.

“Prepare your minds for action” presents the figure of a man gathering the folds of his long garment and tucking it into his belt so that he can move freely and quickly (cf. 1 Kings 18:46: Jeremiah 1:17). “Be self-controlled” (GK 3768) originally meant abstaining from excessive use of wine. In the NT its sense broadens to “live soberly”—a meaning that embraces sound judgment in all areas of life.

The main emphasis of v.13 is on putting one’s hope wholly in the final consummation of the grace of God in Jesus Christ. At the present time, we enjoy only a beginning of that grace (cf. 1Jn 3:2-3). This longing for the unveiling of Jesus at his second coming permeates the NT (cf. Acts 1:11; Romans 11:26. 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13ff.; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:12–13; Revelation 1:7; et al.)