1 Peter 4:7

3. Service to God and Christians Enjoined in View of Impending Calamity 4:7-19

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:

Expanded Translation

But the end (conclusion, termination) of all things is near. You must therefore be soberminded and self-controlled; and be calm, that you might be able to pray.

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But the end of all things is at hand

The all things mentioned here does not necessarily refer to all the world. There are a number of places in the New Testament where the term all is not to be taken in a literal sense. See for example, Matthew 10:22. But whatever he has reference to, he tells us it is at hand. The word here so translated (engidzo) occurs 43 times in the Greek New Testament. It is usually rendered at hand, draw near, etc. Sometimes it is used in regard to place or position, and sometimes with reference to time, as in this instance. When referring to time, it invariably refers to what is imminent or impending. However, some commentators believe the word frequently does not carry this idea in a literal sense, because, they say, there are certain contexts where placing this significance on the word is impossible. Something could be near, they say, as far as God is concerned, and yet cover thousands of years.. one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8). The following passages have been cited as proof of this usage of engidzo: Matthew 3:2, Romans 13:12, Hebrews 10:25, James 5:8. Also Philippians 4:5, where the adverb form (engus) appears. All of these passages, they point out, are as yet unfulfilled. Thus they believe that the word covers a period of more than 1900 years, and reaching unto the second coming of the Lord, and the end of the world.[11]

[11] See, for example, Jesus Is Coming by Blackstone, pp. 83-88. Alson Johnstone's Commentary on James 5:8.

That the above construction on the word near as it occurs here, could be true, it is conceded. But I am not convinced, after examining the above 43 passages, that engidzo is never used in this loose sense by any New Testament writer.

By carefully checking each of the above cited Scriptures in their own contexts, one will find that it is at least very possible, if not likely, that they have all been fulfilled. (In the last passage cited (Philippians 4:5) where the word is rendered near, there may simply be a reference to Christ's presence. That is, the Lord was close to them, hence a comforting influence.)

If we take the term at hand literally here, how shall we understand this verse? It appears to me that we once again have a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish state. (See comments, 1 Peter 2:12.) So great was this event, so far-reaching was its influence in the Roman world, that it could be spoken of by the people of that age as the end of all things. (Compare the use of the last days with reference to the same event, James 5:1-9.)[12]

[12] It would help the student see the far-reaching consequences of that great holocaust, by reading in Wars of the Jews, by Flavius Josephus, Book VI, Chapter s VIII, IX and X.

be ye therefore of sound mind

Note that the exhortation here is based on the fact just stated: things were soon coming to an end. All those who were true to Christ would have nothing to fearif they were mentally and spiritually prepared! (See 1 Peter 1:13.) To be of sound mind (sophroneo) is to be so ruled by one's mind that he is self-controlled and temperate. Some persons are impulsive and ruled by emotions. But the quality spoken of here consists of the government of such passions, so that on all occasions we behave with prudence.

and be sober unto prayer

The word sober (nepho) literally meaning not intoxicated, is used in the New Testament of one who is calm and collected in spirit, temperate. (See comments, 1 Peter 5:8.)

In view of the coming catastrophies, persecutions, and confusion all about them, it would have been easy for the Christians to become alarmed, bewildered, and fearful. The Apostle exhorts them not to be rash or impetuous, but rather to be calm, that they might be able to pray. Their sobriety was to be unto (eis) prayerin order that they might be in a state of mind which was conducive to prayer life. (See Expanded Translation.)