Be Sober and Pray 1 Peter 4:7

Peter the apostle told the Christians who were “scattered” that the “gospel” was “preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” In chapter four and verse seven of his letter, Peter shares how “the end of all things is at hand” so he told the Christians to “be sober, and watch unto prayer” where we read:

But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

The verse begins, “But the end of all things is at hand:” Peter began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “moreover, nevertheless and nonetheless” “the end” or “termination, limit at which a thing ceases to be, the last in succession and close” “of all things” which means “each, every, any, the whole and everyone” “is at hand” or “brought, drawn or come near”. Although the Christians were “suffering” for their behavior before unbelievers, the idea that “the end” of everything “is at hand” takes precedence over it.

The verse goes on to say, “be you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” Peter added, “be you therefore sober” which in Greek is “sōphroneō kai sōphroneō” and means “of sound or right mind and the exercise of self control”, “and watch” or “be sober, calm, collected in spirit, temperate, dispassionate and circumspect” “unto prayer” which means “earnest prayer in a place set apart and suited for oration to God”. The reaction Peter desired from the “scattered” Christians was threefold, “be sober”, “watch” and “pray”.

When we think about Peter's words, we should realize this was written almost two thousand years ago. If Peter knew the “end of all things” was “near” or imminent, how much more should we believe this today? We must apply his directive and “be sober” or “have sound minds”, “watch” or “be circumspect” and “pray” in earnest in places where we can call out to God. May the Lord Jesus help us to realize the seriousness of the “end” times, and may we follow Peter's instructions will diligence.

Next time Peter tells the Christians to “have fervent charity among” themselves, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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