1 Peter 5:8
1 Peter 5:8 in Multiple Translations
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food;
Be responsible, and stay alert. The devil, your enemy, is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Be sober, and watch: for your aduersarie the deuil as a roaring lyon walketh about, seeking whom he may deuoure:
Be sober, vigilant, because your opponent the devil, as a roaring lion, doth walk about, seeking whom he may swallow up,
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour.
Always be fully alert, because the devil, who is your enemy, is going/sneaking around, looking for people to destroy. He is like [SIM] a lion who roars as it prowls around, seeking someone to kill and devour.
You have to think clearly and watch out for your enemy, the devil. He is the boss over all the bad spirits, and he is going around looking for people to trick. He is like a wild animal that is going around and looking for somebody to kill and eat.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Peter 5:8
BAB
Word Study
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1 Peter 5:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
GRK
νηψατε
γρηγορησατε
ο
αντιδικος
υμων
διαβολος
ως
λεων
ωρυομενος
περιπατει
ζητων
τινα
καταπιη
νηψατε
nēphō
G3525
be sober
Verb-AAM-2P
γρηγορησατε
grēgoreō
G1127
to keep watch
Verb-AAM-2P
ο
ho
G3588
the/this/who
Art-NSM
αντιδικος
antidikos
G476
opponent
Noun-NSM
υμων
su
G4771
you
Pron-2GP
διαβολος
diabolos
G1228
devilish/the Devil
Adj-NSM
ως
hōs
G5613
as/when
Adv
λεων
leōn
G3023
lion
Noun-NSM
ωρυομενος
ōruomai
G5612
to roar
Verb-PNP-NSM
περιπατει
peripateō
G4043
to walk
Verb-PAI-3S
ζητων
zēteō
G2212
to seek
Verb-PAP-NSM
τινα
tis
G5101
which?
Interrog-ASM
καταπιη
katapinō
G2666
to swallow
Verb-2AAS-3S
Greek Word Study
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Greek Word Reference — 1 Peter 5:8
νηψατε
nēphō
G3525
"be sober"
Verb-AAM-2P
To be sober in the Bible means being discreet and morally alert, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 and 1 Peter 1:13, where believers are called to be calm and watchful. It involves being aware of one's surroundings.
Definition: νήφω to be sober, abstain from wine; metaphorically, of moral alertness, to be sober, calm, circumspect: 1Th.5:6 5:8, 2Ti.4:5 (see Ellic., in l), 1Pe.1:13 4:7 5:8 (cf. ἐκ-, ἐκ-νήφω, and see MM, xvii).† SYN.: ἀγρυπνέω, γρηγορέω (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: be sober, watch See also: 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 4:7.
γρηγορησατε
grēgoreō
G1127
"to keep watch"
Verb-AAM-2P
This verb means to stay awake or watch, like in Matthew 24:43 and 1 Thessalonians 5:10. It can also be used figuratively to mean being spiritually alert, as seen in 1 Corinthians 16:13 and 1 Peter 5:8.
Definition: γρηγορέω, -ῶ, = Attic ἐργήγορα, pf. of ἐγείρω, which see, [in LXX (later bks. only) chiefly for שׁקד ;] __1. to be awake; metaphorically, of being alive, 1Th.5:10. __2. to watch: Mat.24:43 26:38, 40 Mrk.13:34 14:34, 37 Luk.12:37, 39; metaphorically, Mat.24:42 25:13 26:41, Mrk.13:35, 37 14:38, Act.20:31, 1Co.16:13, 1Th.5:6, 1Pe.5:8, Rev.3:2, 3 16:15; before ἐν, Col.4:2. (Cf. δια-γρηγορέω).† SYN.: see: ἀγρθπνέω. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 23 NT verses. KJV: be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful) See also: 1 Corinthians 16:13; Mark 14:34; 1 Peter 5:8.
ο
ho
G3588
"the/this/who"
Art-NSM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
αντιδικος
antidikos
G476
"opponent"
Noun-NSM
An opponent is someone who opposes or resists, like an adversary in a lawsuit, as seen in Matthew 5:25 and 1 Peter 5:8. This term can also refer to Satan as the ultimate enemy.
Definition: ἀντίδικος, -ον (δίκη), [in LXX for רִיב ;] as subst., an opponent in a lawsuit, adversary: Mat.5:25, Luk.12:58 18:3, 1Pe.5:8 (Cremer, 696; MM, VGT, see word).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: adversary See also: 1 Peter 5:8; Luke 18:3; Matthew 5:25.
υμων
su
G4771
"you"
Pron-2GP
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
διαβολος
diabolos
G1228
"devilish/the Devil"
Adj-NSM
The Greek word for the devil or a false accuser, used to describe Satan in the Bible, such as in Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:2.
Definition: διάβολος, -ον (διαβάλλω, which see) [in LXX for שָׂטָן (as Job.1:6), exc. Est.7:4 8:1 (צַר, צָרַר) ;] slanderous, accusing falsely. As subst., ὁ, ἡ, δ.; __(a) generally (of. Es, ll. with), a slanderer, false accuser: 1Ti.3:6, 7 (CGT, in l., but see infr.) 3:11, 2Ti.3:3, Tit.2:3; __(b) as chiefly in LXX, of Satan, the Accuser, the Devil: Mat.4:1, 5, 8, 11 13:39 25:41, Luk.4:2, 3, 6, 13 8:12, Jhn.13:2, Act.10:38, Eph.4:27 6:11, 1Ti.3:6, 7 (but see supr.), 2Ti.2:26, Heb.2:14, Jas.4:7, 1Pe.5:8, Ju 9, Rev.2:10 12:9, 12 20:2, 10; εἶναι ἐκ τοῦ δ., Jhn.8:44, 1Jn.3:8; τέκνα τοῦ δ., 1Jn.3:10; υἱὸς, Act.13:10; metaphorically, of Judas, Jhn.6:70 (Cremer, 121; DCG, ii, 605).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 36 NT verses. KJV: false accuser, devil, slanderer See also: 1 John 3:8; Luke 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8.
ως
hōs
G5613
"as/when"
Adv
This word means as or when, showing a comparison or timing. It's used in many verses, like Mark 4:26 and 1 Corinthians 3:15, to show how things are done. It helps explain how or when something happens.
Definition: ὡς, adverbial form of the relative pron. ὅς, ἥ, ὅ. __I. As relat. adv. of manner, as, like as, just as, even as; __1. with a demonstrative, like οὕτως, expressed or understood: οὕτως . . . ὡς, Mrk.4:26, 1Co.3:15, Eph.5:28, Jas.2:12, al.; ὡς . . . οὕτως, Act.8:32, 1Co.7:17, al.; elliptically (sc. οὕτως, οὕτω), with nom., Mat.6:29, al.; with accusative, Mat.19:19, Mrk.12:31, al.; with prep., Mat.26:55, Mrk.14:48, Luk.22:52, Jhn.7:10, al.; with verb., Jhn.15:6, 2Co.3:1, Eph.2:3, 1Th.5:6, al.; with ptcp. (the ptcp. however not having the special force wh. it has in cl.; see Bl., §73, 5; 74, 6), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Heb.13:17, al.; freq implying opinion or belief, Rom.9:32; so esp, with genitive absol., 1Co.4:18, 2Co.5:20, 1Pe.4:12, 2Pe.1:3. __2. Before numerals, about, nearly: Mrk.5:13, Jhn.1:40, Act.5:7, al. __3. Before adjectives and adverbs, how: Rom.10:15 11:33, 1Th.2:10; with superl., ὡς τάχιστα, as quickly as possible, Act.17:15. __II. As conjunction; __1. temporal, __(a) as, when, since: Mrk.9:21 14:72, Luk.1:23, Jhn.2:9, al.; __(b) while, when, as long as: Luk.12:58, Jhn.12:36, Gal.6:10 (Field, Notes, 191); ὡς ἄν (M, Pr., 167, and see: ἄν), Rom.15:24, 1Co.11:34, Php.2:23. __2. Final, in order that; with inf., in order to (M, Pr., 204n), Luk.9:52, Act.20:24, Heb.7:9. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 436 NT verses. KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed See also: 1 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Timothy 1:3; 1 Peter 1:14.
λεων
leōn
G3023
"lion"
Noun-NSM
A lion is a wild animal. It is used in Hebrews 11:33 and 1 Peter 5:8 to describe a powerful enemy, and in Revelation 4:7 to describe a symbol of Jesus.
Definition: λέων, -οντος, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for אֲרִי, אַרְיֵה, also for כְּפִיר, etc. ;] a lion: Heb.11:33, 1Pe.5:8, Rev.4:7 9:8, 17 10:3 13:2; metaphorically, 2Ti.4:17, Rev.5:5.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: lion See also: 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 5:5; Hebrews 11:33.
ωρυομενος
ōruomai
G5612
"to roar"
Verb-PNP-NSM
This word means to roar, like a lion, as in 1 Peter 5:8 where it describes the devil's fierce cry. It's used to show intense emotion or power. The Bible uses this word to convey a sense of loud, fierce sound.
Definition: ὠρύομαι depon., [in LXX for שָׁאַג ;] of animals (also of men, Hdt., al.), to roar, howl: λέων, 1Pe.5:8.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: roar See also: 1 Peter 5:8.
περιπατει
peripateō
G4043
"to walk"
Verb-PAI-3S
This verb means to walk or live in a certain way, like following Jesus. In John 1:36, it describes walking behind Jesus as a disciple. It emphasizes a way of life or behavior.
Definition: περι-πατέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for הָלַךְ pi., hith. ;] to walk: absol., Mat.9:5, Mrk.5:42, Luk.5:23, Jhn.1:36; with pred., γυμνός, Rev.16:15; ἐπάνω Luk.11:44; διά, with genitive, Rev.21:24; ἐν, Mrk.11:27 12:38, Jhn.7:1 11:54, Rev.2:1, al.; ἐν τ. σκοτίᾳ, figuratively, Jhn.8:12 12:35, 1Jn.1:6-7 Jn 2:11; ἐπί, with genitive, Mat.14:26; id. with dative, Mat.14:25, 29; μετά, Jhn.6:66, Rev.3:4; παρά, with accusative, Mat.4:18. Metaphorical, of living, passing one's life, conducting oneself (like ἀναστρέφομαι in Xen., Plut., LXX, π.; M, Pro.11:1-31; Deiss., BS, 194) : ἀκριβῶς, Eph.5:15; ἀτάκτως, 2Th.3:6 3:11; εὐσχημόνως, Rev.13:13, 1Th.4:12; ἀξίως, with genitive, Eph.4:1, Col.1:10, 1Th.2:12; καθώς (ὥς), Eph.4:17 5:8, 15, Php.3:17, 1Th.4:1; οὕτως ὥς, 1Co.7:17; before nom. qual., Php.3:18; with dative, Act.21:21, Rom.13:13, 2Co.12:18, Gal.5:16; before ἐν, Rom.6:4, 2Co.4:2 5:7 10:3, Eph.2:2, 10 4:17 5:2, Col.3:7 4:5, Heb.13:9, 2Jn.4 Jn 6, al.; ἐν Χριστῷ, Col.2:6; κατά, with accusative, Mrk.7:5, Rom.8:4 14:15, 1Co.3:3, 2Co.10:2, 2Jn.6 (cf. ἐν-περιπατέω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 90 NT verses. KJV: go, be occupied with, walk (about) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:3; John 5:12; 1 Peter 5:8.
ζητων
zēteō
G2212
"to seek"
Verb-PAP-NSM
To seek something means to look for it or try to find it, like when Jesus teaches to seek first God's kingdom in Matthew 7:7. It can also mean to worship or plot against someone.
Definition: ζητέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for בּקשׁ pi., also for דּרשׁ, etc. ;] __1. to seek, seek for: Mat.7:7, 8 Luk.11:9, 10; with accusative of person(s), Mrk.1:37, Luk.2:48, Jhn.6:24, al.; id. before ἐν, Act.9:11; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.13:45, Luk.19:10; before ἐν, Luk.13:6, 7; ψυχήν, of plotting against one's life ( Exo.4:19, al.), Mat.2:20, Rom.11:3" (LXX) . Metaphorical, to seek by thinking, search after, inquire into: Mrk.11:18, Luk.12:28, Jhn.16:19; τ. θεόν, Act.17:27. __2. to seek or strive after, desire: Mat.12:46, Mrk.12:12, Luk.9:9, Jhn.5:18, Rom.10:3, al.; τ. θάνατον, Rev.9:6; τ. βασιλείαν τ. θεοῦ, Mat.6:33 (Dalman, Words, 121f.); τὰ ἄνω, Col.3:1; εἰρήνην, 1Pe.3:11 (LXX). __3. to require, demand: with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.8:12, Luk.11:29, 1Co.1:22, 2Co.13:3; before παρά, Mrk.8:11, al.; ἵνα, 1Co.4:2 (cf. ἀνα-, ἐκ-, ἐπι-, συν-ζητέω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 115 NT verses. KJV: be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; John 18:8; 1 Peter 3:11.
τινα
tis
G5101
"which?"
Interrog-ASM
This interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions like who, which, or what, as seen in Matthew 3:7 and Mark 11:28. It seeks information about a person or thing. This term is essential in direct and indirect questions.
Definition: τίς, neut., τί, genitive, τίνος, interrog. pron., [in LXX for מָה ,מִי ;] in masc. and fem., who, which, what?; in neut., which, what?, used both in direct and in indirect questions. __I. I. As subst., __1. 1. masc., fem.: τίς; who, what?, Mat.3:7 26:68; Mrk.11:28, Luk.9:9, al. mult.; with genitive partit., Act.7:52, Heb.1:5, al; before ἐκ (= genitive partit.), Mat.6:27, Luk.14:28, Jhn.8:46; = ποῖος, Mrk.4:41 6:2, Luk.19:3, Act.17:19, al.; = πότερος (M, Pr., 77), Mat.21:31 27:17, Luk.22:27, al.; = ὅς or ὅστις (rare in cl.; cf. Bl., §50, 5; M, Pr., 93), Act.13:25. __2. Neut.: τί; what?, Mat.5:47 11:7, Mrk.10:3, al.; χάριν τίνος, 1Jn.3:12; διὰ τί, Mat.9:11, al.; εἰς τί, Mat.14:31, al.; elliptically, ἵνα τί (sc. γένηται), why, Mat.9:5, al.; τί οὖν, Rom.3:9 6:1, 15 1Co.14:15, al.; τί γάρ, Rom.3:3, Phi 1:18; τί ἐμοὶ (ὑμῖν) καὶ σοί, see: ἔγω. __II. As adj.: who? what? which?, Mat.5:46, Luk.14:31, Jhn.2:18, al. __III. As adv.: = διὰ τι (τί ὅτι), why, Mat.6:28, Mrk.4:40, Luk.6:46, Jhn.18:23, al.; in rhet. questions, = a negation, Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, 23 1Co.5:12 7:16, al. in exclamations (like Heb. מָה), how (2Ki.6:20, Psa.3:2, al.), Luk.12:49. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 514 NT verses. KJV: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why See also: 1 Corinthians 2:11; Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 1:11.
καταπιη
katapinō
G2666
"to swallow"
Verb-2AAS-3S
To swallow or drink something down, like in Matthew 23:24 where Jesus talks about swallowing a camel. It can also mean to devour or consume, as in 1 Peter 5:8 where Satan is described as a roaring lion.
Definition: κατα-πίνω [in LXX chiefly for בָּלַע ;] __1. to drink down, swallow: Mat.23:24, Rev.12:16. __2. to devour: 1Pe.5:8. Metaphorical, to swallow up, consume: pass., 1Co.15:54 (LXX), 2Co.2:7 5:4, Heb.11:29.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: devour, drown, swallow (up) See also: 1 Corinthians 15:54; 2 Corinthians 5:4; 1 Peter 5:8.
Study Notes — 1 Peter 5:8
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Context — Cast Your Cares on Him
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
7Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ephesians 6:11 | Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. |
| 2 | James 4:7 | Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. |
| 3 | Ephesians 4:27 | and do not give the devil a foothold. |
| 4 | Job 2:2 | “Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” |
| 5 | 1 Peter 1:13 | 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. |
| 6 | 1 Peter 4:7 | The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray. |
| 7 | 1 John 3:8–10 | The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. |
| 8 | 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 | So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation. |
| 9 | Luke 21:36 | So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” |
| 10 | Luke 22:31 | Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. |
1 Peter 5:8 Summary
[This verse is warning us to be careful and watchful because the devil is like a lion looking for someone to hurt, as it says in 1 Peter 5:8. We need to be aware of his tricks and stay close to God, who cares for us and wants to protect us, as seen in 1 Peter 5:7. By trusting in God's power and promises, we can resist the devil's attacks and stand firm in our faith, as instructed in 1 Peter 5:9 and James 4:7-10. This means being careful about what we think, say, and do, and making sure we are following God's ways, as taught in Proverbs 3:5-6 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be sober-minded and alert in 1 Peter 5:8?
Being sober-minded and alert means being spiritually aware and vigilant, recognizing the spiritual dangers that surround us, as warned in Ephesians 6:10-18 and 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
Is the devil really like a roaring lion as described in 1 Peter 5:8?
Yes, the Bible describes the devil as a roaring lion in 1 Peter 5:8, emphasizing his fierce and deceptive nature, also seen in Job 1:6-12 and Luke 22:31, where Satan seeks to devour and destroy believers.
How can I protect myself from the devil's attacks as mentioned in 1 Peter 5:8?
To protect yourself from the devil's attacks, you must put on the full armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, trust in God's power and promises, and stand firm in your faith as instructed in 1 Peter 5:9 and James 4:7-10.
Why is it important to be aware of the devil's schemes in 1 Peter 5:8?
Being aware of the devil's schemes is crucial because it helps you to be prepared and to resist his attacks, as seen in 2 Corinthians 2:11 and 1 Thessalonians 3:5, and to trust in God's power and protection instead of falling into the devil's traps.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can stay spiritually alert and aware of the devil's presence in my life?
- How can I apply the concept of being sober-minded and alert in my daily life, especially in situations where I feel vulnerable to temptation or spiritual attack?
- What are some common tactics the devil uses to deceive and devour believers, and how can I recognize and resist them?
- How can I balance the warning of 1 Peter 5:8 with the promise of God's protection and care in verses like Psalm 23:4 and Romans 8:28?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant,.... The apostle had exhorted to each of these before; see 1 Peter 1:13 but thought fit to repeat them; sobriety and watchfulness being exceeding necessary and useful in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Peter has in mind Christ's warning to watch against Satan, from forgetting which he fell (Luke 22:31).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober: see 4:7: q.d. Ye have to do with a mad enemy, a raging devil; ye had need yourselves be sober; not only in meats and drinks, &c., but as to the cares of this life, and whatsoever it is that is apt to intoxicate your minds, and expose you to him. Be vigilant; spiritually watchful and circumspect, careful of your salvation, and aware of Satan’ s snares and temptations, 26:41 . Because your adversary; or, that adversary of yours; he that contends with you, is plaintiff against you, . It answers to the Hebrew word Satan, . The devil; your accuser, he that maligns you, calumniates you, informs against you: he is so called, 13:39, and elsewhere, because of his accusing God to men, ,5, and men to God, 2:2 , as well as each to other, . As a roaring lion; i.e. strong, fierce, cruel, especially when hungry, and seeking his prey and roaring after it. Walketh about; is diligent and restless in his attempts, either by circumventing or assaulting you: see . Seeking whom he may devour; not lightly hurt, but swallow up and utterly destroy, by himself or his instruments.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Peter 5:8
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Ver. 8. Your adversary the devil] Satan envies our condition that we should enjoy that paradise that he left, the comforts he once had. Hence he disturbs us, and is restless out of his infinite hatred of God and goodness; as the scorpion still puts forth his sting, and as the leopard bears such a natural hatred against men, that if he see but a man’ s picture, he flies upon it, and tears it. Hannibal, whether he conquered, or was conquered, never rested. Satan is over overcome, and yet he walks up and down seeking to devour: he commits the sin against the Holy Ghost every day, and shall lie lowest in hell; every soul that he drew thither by his temptation shall lie upon him, and press him down as a millstone under the insupportable wrath of God. The word αντιδικος, here rendered an adversary, properly signifies an adversary at law. Against whom we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, the just one, 1 John 2:2, who appears for us, Hebrews 9:24, to non-suit all accusations, and to plead our cause. The devil, the accuser, often makes that to be treason in the saints that is but petty larceny. In prosperity he makes us lay our hearts too near it; in adversity, to lay it too near our hearts. He is ever assaulting us, and is therefore called οοπειραζων, the tempter, in the present tense; not lazy at his business, but ever in motion for some mischief to us.
Si per anticam eiecias, per posticam denuo solet irrepere, If you throw him out at the street door, he will creep in again at the backdoor. Watch him therefore. Non enim unquam dormitat vigil ille Synagogae suae Episcopus, as Amama calleth him. Ut teipsum serves non experglscere? (Horat.) Whom he may devour] Gr. καταπιη, whom he may drink up at one draught.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Peter 5:8
(8) Be sober, be vigilant.—Single words in the Greek, and in the tense which bespeaks immediate attention. The best text omits the following “because.” These are the sudden cries of warning of a shepherd who spies the lion prowling round the flock in the darkness, while the guardians of the flock lie drowsy and secure. As a roaring lion.—The epithet is not only added to lend terror to the description, but the roaring implies hunger and determination. Walketh about.—Comp. Job 1:7; Job 2:2. St. Peter, however, is not calling attention to the fact that Satan is always prowling about, but he warns the sleeping shepherds that he is especially doing so now. This season of persecution was just his time for picking off one here and another there. Seeking whom he may devour.—Perhaps still more expressive to say, “seeking which he may devour.” Satan is eyeing all the Christians in turn to see which he has the best chance of, not merely stalking forth vaguely to look for prey.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Peter 5:8
Verse 8. Be sober] Avoid drunkenness of your senses, and drunkenness in your souls; be not overcharged with the concerns of the world. Be vigilant] Awake, and keep awake; be always watchful; never be off your guard; your enemies are alert, they are never off theirs. Your adversary the devil ] This is the reason why ye should be sober and vigilant; ye have an ever active, implacable, subtle enemy to contend with. He walketh about-he has access to you everywhere; he knows your feelings and your propensities, and informs himself of all your circumstances; only God can know more and do more than he, therefore your care must be cast upon God. As a roaring lion] Satan tempts under three forms: 1. The subtle serpent; to beguile our senses, pervert our judgment, and enchant our imagination. 2. As an angel of light; to deceive us with false views of spiritual things, refinements in religion, and presumption on the providence and grace of God. 3. As a roaring lion; to bear us down, and destroy us by violent opposition, persecution, and death. Thus he was acting towards the followers of God at Pontus, c., who were now suffering a grievous persecution.
Walketh about] Traversing the earth a plain reference to Job 2:2, which see. Seeking whom he may devour] τινψκαταπιη. Whom he may gulp down. It is not every one that he can swallow down: those who are sober and vigilant are proof against him, these he MAY NOT swallow down; those who are drunken with the cares of this world, c., and are unwatchful, these he MAY swallow down. There is a beauty in this verse, and a striking apposition between the first and last words, which I think have not been noticed: Be sober, νηψατε from νη, not, and πιειν to drink do not drink, do not swallow down: and the word καταπιη, from κατα, down, and πιειν, to drink. If you swallow strong drink down, the devil will swallow you down. Hear this, ye drunkards, topers, tipplers, or by whatsoever name you are known in society, or among your fellow sinners. Strong drink is not only the way to the devil, but the devil's way into you; and YE are such as the devil particularly MAY swallow down.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Peter 5:8
8. Be sober, be vigilant] The two words are found in a like juxtaposition in 1 Thessalonians 5:6. The tense used here implies an immediate act, as though he said, “Rouse yourselves to sobriety and watchfulness,” rather than a continuous state. The first word has the strict meaning of abstinence from that which inebriates. See note on chap. 1 Peter 4:7.because your adversary the devil] The word for “adversary” is the same as that used in Matthew 5:25, and carries with it the sense of a plaintiff or accuser in a trial before a judge. The Greek word for “devil’ (διάβολος), uniformly used in the LXX. for the Hebrew “Satan,” expresses the same thought, with the implied addition that the charge is false and calumnious. The comparison with the lion has its starting-point, perhaps, in Isaiah 38:13, where, however, it is used of God as visiting men with pain and sickness; or Psalms 22:21, where its use is more closely parallel with the present passage. The use of the same verb for “roaring” in the LXX. of Psalms 22:13 confirms the inference that that Psalm—the first words of which, it will be remembered, had been uttered by our Lord upon the cross—was present to St Peter’s mind. The word for “devour,” literally, gulp down or swallow, implies the thought of total destruction. It is probable, wide and general as the words are in themselves, that the special form of attack of which the Apostle thought was that of the persecution then raging, and of which, though human agents were prominent in it, Satan was regarded as the real instigator.
Comp. 2 Timothy 4:17. When Christ is named as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5) we may probably see the suggested thought that in the conflict which His followers have to wage they have with them One who is stronger than their adversary.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober - While you cast your cares Upon God, and have no anxiety on that score, let your solicitude be directed to another point.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Peter 5:8
8. Be sober—Circumspect, watchful. Be vigilant—Wide awake: and with good reason for both precepts. Your adversary—The adversary of you, in particular. The word means the adverse party in a suit; an accuser in a court of law.
Sermons on 1 Peter 5:8
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"Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality. |
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A Powerful Warning - Lest We Forget the Message by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the urgency of taking the Word of God seriously and being prepared for His soon coming. It calls for a return to intimacy with Christ, dependence on God, and |
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A Warning to American Christianity by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher passionately emphasizes the importance of preaching the truth of God's word. He condemns liberal theologians who shy away from preaching about hell and |
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A Target of Satan's Envy by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by encouraging the congregation to seek strength and guidance from God in their spiritual battles. He acknowledges that despite hearing numerous |
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Heart to Heart Talk on Marriage by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker starts by sharing a personal anecdote about watching a nature channel and being disturbed by the aggressive behavior of wild dogs in South Africa. He th |
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Anti-Booze Efforts by Billy Sunday | Billy Sunday passionately preaches against alcohol, expressing his determination to combat the saloon culture that he believes leads to the destruction of lives and families. He em |
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Fresh Faith Book Reading Clip by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the diabolical work of Satan, who has no sympathy and seeks to rip people off every week. However, Jesus came to offer abundant life and can |