Untitled Sermon

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Pe 1:13–21). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind”

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind.” Unless you know something about Greco-Roman culture back in the First Century when Brother Peter wrote these words, it’s hard to know just what he is telling us. What does he mean by “gird up”; and what are “the loins of your mind”?

To gird up means to bind about, especially with a belt. The picture here is one of a Roman soldier putting on the part of his armor that covered the groin or loins. The phrase “the loins of your mind” is much more difficult to understand.

For the meaning of that phrase, we must know how first century folks understood both “loins” and “mind.” The loins were the center of procreative power — which is the literal translation of the Greek root used here. The Greek root used here for “mind” is one which means deep thought. So, what we have here in “gird up the loins of your mind” is a phrase that means the mind in its full capacity, strength or power.

7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

The New King James Version. (1982). (2 Ti 2:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.