Section 1:13–25

God wants believers to live holy lives

In this section Peter urged his readers to live holy lives (vv. 13–16). Christ had paid a great price to save them (vv. 17–21) and had given them new life (vv. 23–25). In response to God’s kindness they should love one another (1:22).

Some other headings for this section are:

Live Holy Lives (God’s Word)
-or-
Chosen To Live a Holy Life (Contemporary English Version)

Paragraph 1:13–16

1:13a

Therefore: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces Peter’s words of practical teaching based on what he had just written in the preceding section. In this new section, Peter began to tell his readers how to think and act. Other ways you might be able to say this include:

So then (Good News Translation)
-or-
Because ⌊of all that God has done for you⌋

prepare your minds for action: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as prepare your minds for action is literally “tie up the waist/loins of your(plur) mind.” This is a metaphor. In Peter’s time, men as well as women usually wore long robes. When they prepared to do hard work, the men pulled their robe up and tied it at their waist with a rope or belt. They were then ready for action.

Peter applied this metaphor to his readers’ minds. He was telling them to be mentally ready for action.

There are various ways to translate this. For example:

• Keep all of the metaphor:

gird up the loins of your mind (King James Version)

• Keep part of the metaphor:

gird up your minds (Revised Standard Version)

• Give the meaning without the metaphor:

Your minds…must be…ready for action (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
prepare your minds for action (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
be alert (Contemporary English Version)

Use the form that is the most clear and natural in your language.

for action: The phrase for action is not in the Greek text. Because the metaphor Peter used is not natural or understood in modern English, the Berean Standard Bible and some other versions have supplied the words for action to make the meaning of this metaphor clear.

1:13b

Be sober-minded: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as Be sober-minded is literally “be sober.” Since the context refers to the mind, Peter is probably not telling his readers here not to get physically drunk. Rather, this is a metaphor. Peter wanted his readers to think clearly and be alert and in control of their thoughts and actions. Some ways this may be translated are:

your minds must be clear (God’s Word)
-or-
you must control your thoughts

A few translations understand the word “fully” to apply to “sober” rather than to “hope.” For example:

with minds that are alert and fully sober (New International Version)

1:13c

Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you: Peter told his readers to trust fully in God’s kindness towards them. Because of his kindness, God saved them. Peter wanted his readers to be completely confident that they would receive everything good associated with God saving them.

Set your hope: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Set your hope is literally the command “hope.” Other ways of translating this include:

put…your hope (Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Place your confidence (God’s Word)
-or-
Look forward to (New Living Translation (2004))

fully: The Greek adverb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fully means “completely.” In some languages it may be natural to translate it as an adjective:

put your full hope

on the grace to be given you: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to be given you is literally “being brought to you.” This is a passive clause. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb, you may be able to use one of these models:

in what God’s kindness will bring you… (God’s Word)
-or-
to the special blessings that will come to you… (New Living Translation (2004))

grace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grace means “kindness, goodwill.” Here it refers to all the good things that God is going to give believers on the last day. These include all the blessings of the inheritance that God is keeping for them in heaven (1:4a–b), including eternal life and freedom from sin. This grace also includes the praise, glory and honor to be given to them by God (1:7d). See the note on the word grace at 1:10a. Some other ways to translate this are:

⌊God’s⌋ kind/gracious help
-or-

⌊God’s⌋ loving kindness

1:13d

at the revelation of Jesus Christ: Peter used this phrase at 1:7e also. The meaning here is the same as it was at 1:7. Jesus Christ will return to this world on the last day. He will reveal himself to people everywhere in the world. Everyone will be able to see him. You may be able to translate this as:

when Jesus Christ reveals himself (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
when Jesus Christ appears again (God’s Word)
-or-
when Jesus Christ will return for everyone to see

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