13Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober-minded, set your hope completely upon the grace being brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ. [1:14] As children of obedience, do not be fashioning yourselves to the former desires in your ignorance, [1:15] but according to the Holy One having called you, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct, [1:16] because it has been written: 'Holy you will be, because I myself am holy.' [1:17] And if you call on the One judging impartially according to the work of each as Father, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn, [1:18] knowing that not by perishable things — by silver or by gold — were you redeemed from your futile manner of life handed down from your fathers, [1:19] but by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, [1:20] foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but having been revealed in these last times for your sake — [1:21] who through Him are believers in God, the One having raised Him out from the dead and having given glory to Him, so as for your faith and hope to be in God.
1PE 1:13-21
A Call to Holiness
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, the metaphor of 'girding up the loins' would evoke immediate recognition. It referred to tucking long garments into a belt to prepare for strenuous activity, symbolizing readiness and focus. For the audience, likely a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers scattered across the Roman Empire, this imagery underscored the urgency of mental and spiritual preparedness. The call to holiness would resonate deeply with Jewish listeners, recalling Leviticus 19:2, while Gentiles would understand it as a stark contrast to their former pagan lifestyles. The term 'sojourners' highlighted their status as resident aliens, a common experience for many in the diaspora, reinforcing their identity as temporary dwellers in a world not their ultimate home. The rejection of 'inherited traditions' challenged both Jewish ancestral customs and Gentile cultural norms, urging a break from conformity to societal patterns that were rooted in ignorance. The mention of redemption through imperishable means (silver or gold) contrasted sharply with the Roman practice of manumission through payment, emphasizing the priceless nature of their spiritual liberation.
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How other translations render this
1PE 1:13
- 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;
- BSB
- Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober-minded, set your hope completely upon the grace being brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1PE 1:14
- KJV
- As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
- BSB
- As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.
- Koinōnos
- As children of obedience, do not be fashioning yourselves to the former desires in your ignorance,
1PE 1:15
- KJV
- But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
- BSB
- But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,
- Koinōnos
- but according to the Holy One having called you, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct,
1PE 1:16
- KJV
- Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
- BSB
- for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
- Koinōnos
- because it has been written: 'Holy you will be, because I myself am holy.
1PE 1:17
- KJV
- And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
- BSB
- Since you call on a Father who judges each oneʼs work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.
- Koinōnos
- And if you call on the One judging impartially according to the work of each as Father, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn,
1PE 1:18
- KJV
- Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
- BSB
- For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,
- Koinōnos
- knowing that not by perishable things — by silver or by gold — were you redeemed from your futile manner of life handed down from your fathers,
1PE 1:19
- KJV
- But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
- BSB
- but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
- Koinōnos
- but by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,
1PE 1:20
- KJV
- Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
- BSB
- He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.
- Koinōnos
- foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but having been revealed in these last times for your sake —
1PE 1:21
- KJV
- Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
- BSB
- Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God.
- Koinōnos
- who through Him are believers in God, the One having raised Him out from the dead and having given glory to Him, so as for your faith and hope to be in God.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1PE 1:13
- having girded up:The phrase translated 'having girded up' refers to the ancient practice of tucking up long robes into a belt to allow for freedom of movement, signifying readiness for action or work.
1PE 1:14
- fashioning yourselves:The word translated 'fashioning yourselves' implies an outward conformity to a pattern or mold, suggesting a superficial imitation rather than an internal transformation.
1PE 1:17
- sojourn:The term 'sojourn' here describes living as a temporary resident in a foreign land, emphasizing a transient status rather than permanent citizenship.
1PE 1:18
- handed down from [your] fathers,:The phrase 'handed down from your fathers' specifically refers to traditions or customs inherited from one's ancestors, highlighting a lineage of received practices.