1 Pedro 5

1 Pedro 5:8

Constable says that Peter is saying in effect, Now that you have focused your thinking positively you need to roll up your sleeves mentally and adopt some attitudes that will affect your activities...Sober of spirit describes a Christian who is in full control of his speech and conduct in contrast to one who allows his flesh (i.e., his sinful human nature) to govern him. (Constable, T. Expository Notes on the Bible) In Peter's third use of nepho he reminds the suffering saints that The end of all things is at hand (a process consummated with a resulting nearness > imminent); therefore, be of sound judgment and sober (nepho) spirit for the purpose of prayer. (1 Peter 4:7, 8, 9-note). Davids has written that proper prayer is not an ‘opiate’ or escape, but rather a function of clear vision and a seeking of even clearer vision from God. It is only through clear communication with headquarters that a soldier can effectively stand guard. Nepho is related to the adjective, nephalios, used to describe one of the qualities that should mark overseers (1 Ti 3:2) and the wives of those who take the lead among the saints (1 Ti 3:11). Likewise older men are exhorted in a similar sense "to be temperate" (nephalios Titus 2:2 see note); it is to be observed that the Christian sobriety of mature years is the result of self-control and the study of the Scriptures in youth.