1 Peter 1:13-16 Why gird up the loins of your mind, be sober… I. MENTAL ACTIVITY. "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind." First: That man has a mind. He has a thinking, conscious, undying spirit. This fact is attested both by philosophy and the Bible. Secondly: That this mind has a great work. There are some minds that are very inactive. Other minds are active, but it is the activity of children playing with toys. What is the real work of the mind? Rightly to culture self, to bless society, and to honour God. The figure implies — Thirdly: That the present condition of the mind is unfavourable to this work. What are those entangling robes? Wrong thoughts, earthly sympathies, carnal tendencies, moral indifferences, etc. "Gird up the loins," etc. II. MORAL SOBRIETY. "Be sober." It may include three things. First: Moral judiciousness. Judiciousness in our opinions, our affections, our expectations, and speech. Souls are often intoxicated with wild and extravagant sentiments. Second: Moral steadfastness. The soul should not reel to and fro like a drunken man; it should be steadfast. "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made you free." Thirdly: Moral seriousness. Christian seriousness stands in sublime contrast both to gloom on the one hand and to levity on the other. III. PERMANENT HOPE. "Hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." This language implies three things. First: That the perfection of our being is to be looked for in the future. Secondly: That our future perfection is to be obtained in connection with grace. "Hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you." Thirdly: That the grace that is to ensure our perfection will be fully manifested at the appearance of ,Jesus Christ. "The grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses 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; |
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