the Week of Proper 8 / Ordinary 13
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1 Peter 4:7
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The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
The end of the trail is right around the corner. Keep your wits about you and pay attention to your prayers.
But the end of all things is near: so be serious in your behaviour and keep on the watch with prayer;
But the end of all things is drawn nigh: be sober therefore, and be watchful unto prayers;
But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
But the end of all things is now close at hand: therefore be sober-minded and temperate, so that you may give yourselves to prayer.
But the ende of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober and watch vnto prayer.
But the end of all things has drawn near. Be of sound mind, then, and be sensible to prayers;
The ende of all thiges is at hade.Be ye therfore sober & watch vnto prayers:
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:
The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers.
The ende of all thinges is at honde. Be ye therfore discrete and sober yt ye maye be apte to prayers.
But the end of all things is at hand: be therefore of sound mind, and be sober to prayer:
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch to prayer.
And of all things the end hath come nigh; be sober-minded, then, and watch unto the prayers,
The time is near when all things will end. So think clearly and control yourselves so you will be able to pray.
For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
Everything will soon come to an end. So be serious and be sensible enough to pray.
The accomplishing of the goal of all things is close at hand. Therefore, keep alert and self-controlled, so that you can pray.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
Now the ende of all things is at hand. Be ye therefore sober, and watching in prayer.
But the end of all things is at hand: be devout therefore, and be mindful of prayer.
Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer.
But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
The end of everything is near; so be sensible and clear-headed for the sake of your prayers.Matthew 24:13-14; 26:41; Luke 21:34; Romans 13:12; Philippians 4:5; Colossians 4:2; Hebrews 10:25; James 5:8; 1 Peter 1:13; 5:8; 2 Peter 3:9,11; 1 John 2:18;">[xr]
BUT the end of all cometh; therefore be sober, and watch unto prayer.
But the end of all things approacheth: therefore be sober, and be wakeful for prayer.
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.
The end of the world is near. You must be the boss over your mind. Keep awake so you can pray.
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:
The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.
But, the end of all things, hath drawn near: - be of sound mind, therefore, and be sober for prayers;
But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore and watch in prayers.
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Now the end of all things draws near. Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for your prayers.
The ende of all thynges is at hande. Be ye therefore sober, and watche vnto prayer.
The time is near when all things will end. So keep your minds clear, and control yourselves. This will help you in your prayers.
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
The end of all things is near. You must be self-controlled and alert, to be able to pray.
For the ende of alle thingis schal neiye. Therfor be ye prudent, and wake ye in preyeris;
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
the end: Ecclesiastes 7:2, Jeremiah 5:31, Ezekiel 7:2, Ezekiel 7:3, Ezekiel 7:6, Matthew 24:13, Matthew 24:14, Romans 13:12, 1 Corinthians 7:29, 1 Corinthians 15:24, Philippians 4:5, Hebrews 10:25, James 5:8, James 5:9, 2 Peter 3:9-11, 1 John 2:18, 1 John 2:19
ye: 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, Titus 2:12
and: 1 Peter 3:7, Matthew 24:42, Matthew 25:13, Matthew 26:38-41, Mark 13:33-37, Mark 14:37, Mark 14:38, Luke 21:34, Luke 21:36, Luke 22:46, Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2, 2 Timothy 4:5, Revelation 16:15
Reciprocal: Genesis 6:13 - The end Genesis 19:35 - General 2 Samuel 11:2 - arose from Psalms 37:10 - yet Jeremiah 51:13 - thine Ezekiel 21:7 - it cometh Joel 2:1 - for the Habakkuk 2:6 - how Matthew 24:33 - know Matthew 26:41 - Watch Mark 14:34 - and watch Luke 12:41 - Lord Luke 21:31 - the kingdom Luke 22:40 - Pray Romans 12:3 - soberly Romans 13:11 - for now 1 Corinthians 7:31 - for 1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch 2 Corinthians 4:17 - our Philippians 4:6 - in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray 1 Timothy 2:15 - sobriety 1 Timothy 3:2 - vigilant Titus 2:2 - sober Hebrews 13:14 - General James 4:14 - a vapour 1 Peter 1:6 - for Revelation 1:3 - for Revelation 3:2 - watchful Revelation 14:7 - hour Revelation 22:10 - for
Cross-References
but in every nation, he that feareth him, and acts justly, is acceptable to him.
by no means. know ye not, that to whom ye subject your selves vassals at command, his vassals you are whom you thus obey; the vassals either of sin to destruction, or of obedience to justification?
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to you, that you present your bodies a living victim, holy, acceptable unto God, as the service of a rational being.
for he that thus pays his allegiance to Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
to be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, officiating the gospel of God, that the Gentiles might be made an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the holy spirit.
to display the glory of his grace, which has render'd us acceptable by his beloved son:
if a widow has children or grand-children, let them above all things instruct their own family to be religious, and let them be grateful to their parents, for this is acceptable to God.
'Twas by faith that Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he was declared righteous, God himself having testified that he accepted his offering, and after he died for his faith, he was not silent.
and the genuine offspring of sin is death.
you your selves are as so many living stones, you are the edifice, the spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, agreeable to God by Jesus Christ.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
But the end of all things is at hand,.... With respect to particular persons, the end of life, and which is the end of all things in this world to a man, is near at hand; which is but as an hand's breadth, passes away like a tale that is told, and is but as a vapour which appears for a while, and then vanishes away. Or this may be said with regard to the Jews, the end of their church and civil state was near at hand, of their sacrifices, temple, city, and nation; or with respect to the whole universe, to the scheme and fashion of this world, which will soon be gone, though the substance will abide; when the heavens shall pass away, and the earth and all therein will be burnt up; when there will be an end of all the purposes and promises of God respecting the present state of things concerning his church and people, and of the judgments of God upon his enemies here; when the man of sin will be destroyed, and the wickedness of the wicked will be come to an end, and the sorrows, afflictions, and persecutions of the saints, will be no more; and when will be an end put to the present dispensation of things; there will be an end of the ministry of the word, and of the administration of ordinances; time will be no more, and the final state of both good and bad men will take place: this may be said to be at hand in the apostle's time, though so long ago, because that was the last time, and the last dispensation of things; and whereas they knew not the exact time when it would be, they frequently spoke of it as near, in order to stir up the saints to the more diligent discharge of duty, and fervent exercise of grace, as here:
be ye therefore sober, or "temperate", as the Arabic version renders it; and so is opposed to intemperance in eating and drinking, which is an abuse of the creatures of Gods, and unfits a man for the duties of religion; when Satan easily gets an advantage, and is often the cause of other sins, and is frequently dissuaded from, for the same reason as here; see 1 Corinthians 7:31 or chaste, as the Syriac version; and so is opposed to immodesty in words, actions, or apparel, in which sense sobriety is used in 1 Timothy 2:9 or "prudent", as the Vulgate Latin version; and is opposed to all self-conceit and vanity of mind, and imprudence in conduct and conversation; see Romans 12:3 and to all immoderate care of the world, which has the same effect upon the soul as surfeiting and drunkenness on the body: it hinders the soul in the service of God, chokes the word, and makes it unprofitable, and runs men into many sins, snares, and temptations; and the consideration of the end of all things being at hand should draw off from it. It may also signify soundness of mind and judgment in the doctrines of faith, which are words of truth and soberness; and the rather this may be exhorted to, since towards the close of time there will be little of the doctrine of faith in the earth, and men will not be able to endure sound doctrine: it follows,
and watch unto prayer; watch all opportunities of praying, or of attendance on that ordinance, both in private and in public; watch and observe both your present wants, and present mercies, that ye may know what to pray for, and what to return thanks for; and that you have a due reverence of the divine Majesty, in whose presence you are entering. The Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions render it, "watch", or "be awake in prayers"; be careful that you lift up your hearts with your hands to God; that you pray for such things as are agreeable to the revealed will of God;, that you pray in faith, and lift up holy hands without wrath and doubting; and watch for the Spirit of God to enlarge your hearts in prayer, and to assist you both as to the matter and manner of praying. And persons should also watch after prayer for a return of it; and that they do not depend upon the duty performed; and that they are not negligent to return thanks for the mercy prayed for, when received. Very rightly does the apostle join the above exhortation with this, since a man that is not sober is neither fit to watch nor pray; and a drunken man, according to the Jewish canons, might not pray l:
"one that is a drinker, or in drink, let him not pray, or if he prays, his prayer is deprecations; a drunken man, let him not pray, and if he prays his prayer is blasphemies.''
Or, as it is elsewhere m expressed,
"let not a drunken man pray, because he has no intention; and if he prays, his prayer is an abomination, therefore let him return and, pray when he is clear of his drunkenness: let no one in drink pray, and if he prays, his prayer is prayer (unless the word תפלה should rather be rendered "folly", as it may); who is a drunken man? he that cannot speak before a king; a man in drink can speak before a king, and not be confounded; even though he drinks but a fourth part, or a quarter of wine, let him not pray until his wine is departed from him.''
l T. Hieros. Terumot, fol. 40. 4. m Maimon. Hilch Tephilla, c. 4. sect. 17.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
But the end of all things is at hand - This declaration is also evidently designed to support and encourage them in their trials, and to excite them to lead a holy life, by the assurance that the end of all things was drawing near. The phrase, “the end of all things,” would naturally refer to the end of the world; the winding up of human affairs. It is not absolutely certain, however, that the apostle used it here in this sense. It might mean that so far as they were concerned, or in respect to them, the end of all things drew near. Death is to each one the end of all things here below; the end of his plans and of his interest in all that pertains to sublunary affairs. Even if the phrase did originally and properly refer to the end of the world, it is probable that it would soon come to denote the end of life in relation to the affairs of each individual; since, if it was believed that the end of the world was near, it must consequently be believed that the termination of the earthly career of each one also drew near to a close.
It is possible that the latter signification may have come ultimately to predominate, and that Peter may have used it in this sense without referring to the other. Compare the notes at 2 Peter 3:8-14, for his views on this subject. See also the notes at Romans 13:11-12. The word rendered “is at hand,” (ἤγγικε ēngike,) may refer either to proximity of place or time, and it always denotes that the place or the time referred to was not far off. In the former sense, as referring to nearness of place, see Matthew 21:1; Mark 11:1; Luke 7:12; Luke 15:25; Luke 18:35, Luke 18:40; Luke 19:29, Luke 19:37, Luke 19:41; Luke 24:15; Acts 9:3; Acts 10:9; Acts 21:33; in the latter sense, as referring to time as being near, see Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 10:7; Matthew 21:34; Matthew 26:45; Mark 1:15; Luke 21:20, Luke 21:28; Acts 7:17; Romans 13:12; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 4:7. The idea as applied to time, or to an approaching event, is undoubtedly that it is close by; it is not far off; it will soon occur. If this refers to the end of the world, it would mean that it was soon to occur; if to death, that this was an event which could not be far distant - perhaps an event that was to be hastened by their trials. The fact that it is such language as we now naturally address to people, saying that in respect to them “the end of all things is at hand,” shows that it cannot be demonstrated that Peter did not use it in the same sense, and consequently that it cannot be proved that he meant to teach that the end of the world was then soon to occur.
Be ye therefore sober - Serious; thoughtful; considerate. Let a fact of so much importance make a solemn impression on your mind, and preserve you from frivolity, levity, and vanity. See the word explained in the notes at 1 Timothy 3:2.
And watch unto prayer - Be looking out for the end of all things in such a manner as to lead you to embrace all proper opportunities for prayer. Compare the notes at Matthew 26:39, Matthew 26:41. The word rendered watch, means to be sober, temperate, abstinent, especially in respect to wine; then watchful, circumspect. The important truth, then, taught by this passage is, “that the near approach, of the end of all things should make us serious and prayerful.”
I. The end may be regarded as approaching. This is true:
(1) Of all things; of the winding up of the affairs of this world. It is constantly drawing nearer and nearer, and no one can tell how soon it will occur. The period is wisely hidden from the knowledge of all people, (see Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7,) among other reasons, in order that we may be always ready. No man can tell certainly at what time it will come; no man can demonstrate that it may not come at any moment. Everywhere in the Scriptures it is represented that it will come at an unexpected hour, as a thief in the night, and when the mass of people shall be slumbering in false security, Matthew 24:37-39, Matthew 24:42-43; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Luke 21:34.
(2) It is near in relation to each one of us. The day of our death cannot be far distant; it may be very near. The very next thing that we may have to do, may be to lie down and die.
II. It is proper that such a nearness of the end of all things should lead us to be serious, and to pray.
(1) To be serious; for:
(a) the end of all things, in regard to us, is a most important event. It closes our probation. It fixes our character. It seals up our destiny. It makes all ever onward in character and doom unchangeable.
(b) We are so made as to be serious in view of such events. God has so constituted the mind, that when we lose property, health, or friends; when we look into a grave, or are beset with dangers; when we are in the room of the dying or the dead, we are serious and thoughtful. It is unnatural not to be so. Levity and frivolity on such occasions are as contrary to all the finer and better feelings of our nature as they are to the precepts of the Bible.
(c) There are advantages in seriousness of mind. It enables us to take better views of things, Ecclesiastes 7:2-3. A calm, sober, sedate mind is the best for a contemplation of truth, and for looking at things as they are.
(2) To be watchful unto prayer:
(a) People naturally pray when they suppose that the end of all things is coming. An earthquake induces them to pray. An eclipse, or any other supposed prodigy, leads people to pray if they suppose the end of the world is drawing near. A shipwreck, or any other sudden danger, leads them to pray, Psalms 107:28. So people often pray in sickness who have never prayed in days of health.
(b) It is proper to do it. Death is an important event, and in anticipation of such an event we should pray. Who can help us then but God? Who can conduct us through the dark valley but he? Who can save us amidst the wrecks and ruins of the universe but he? Who can dissipate our fears, and make us calm amidst the convulsions of dissolving nature, but God? As that event, therefore, may come upon us at any hour, it should lead us to constant prayer; and the more so because, when it comes, we may be in no state of mind to pray. The posture in which we should feel that it would be most appropriate that the messenger of death should find us, would be that of prayer.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. But the end of all things is at hand — I think that here also St. Peter keeps the history of the deluge before his eyes, finding a parallel to the state of the Jews in his own time in that of the antediluvians in the days of Noah. In Genesis 6:13, God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me. This was spoken at a time when God had decreed the destruction of the world by a flood. Peter says, The end of all things is at hand; and this he spoke when God had determined to destroy the Jewish people and their polity by one of the most signal judgments that ever fell upon any nation or people.
In a very few years after St. Peter wrote this epistle, even taking it at the lowest computation, viz., A. D. 60 or 61, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. To this destruction, which was literally then at hand, the apostle alludes when he says, The end of all things is at hand; the end of the temple, the end of the Levitical priesthood, the end of the whole Jewish economy, was then at hand.
If these words could be taken in any general sense, then we might say to every present generation, The end of all things is at hand; the end of all the good which the wicked enjoy, and the end of all the evil which the righteous suffer.
Be - sober, and watch unto prayer. — Be sober-make a prudent and moderate use of all you possess; and watch against all occasions of sin; and pray for the supporting hand of God to be upon you for good, that ye may escape the destruction that is coming upon the Jews, and that ye may be saved from among them when the scourge comes.
