
Text -- 1 Peter 5:8 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Robertson: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Be watchful ( grēgorēsate ).
First aorist active imperative of grēgoreō , late present imperative from perfect egrēgora (to be awake) fro...

Robertson: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Your adversary ( ho antidikos humōn ).
Old word for opponent in a lawsuit (Mat 5:25).
Your adversary (
Old word for opponent in a lawsuit (Mat 5:25).

Robertson: 1Pe 5:8 - -- As a roaring lion ( hōs ōruomenos leōn ).
But Jesus is also pictured as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5). But Satan roars at the sain...

Robertson: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Whom he may devour ( katapiein ).
Second aorist active infinitive of katapinō , to drink down. B does not have tina , Aleph has tina (somebody), ...
Whom he may devour (
Second aorist active infinitive of

Vincent: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Be vigilant ( γρηγορήσατε )
Rev., be watchful. See on Mar 13:35; and 1Th 5:6, where both verbs occur: watch and be sober. A re...

Vincent: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Adversary ( ὁ αντίδικος )
The article points to a well-known adversary. From ἀντί , against, and δίκη , a lawsuit. ...
Adversary (
The article points to a well-known adversary. From

Vincent: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Roaring ( ὠρυόμενος )
Only here in New Testament. The word conveys somewhat of the sense by the sound (oruomenos ). It denotes espec...
Roaring (
Only here in New Testament. The word conveys somewhat of the sense by the sound (

Vincent: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Lion
Augustine says, " Christ is called 'a lion' (Rev 5:5) because of his courage: the devil, because of his ferocity. The one lion comes to conq...
Lion
Augustine says, " Christ is called 'a lion' (Rev 5:5) because of his courage: the devil, because of his ferocity. The one lion comes to conquer, the other to hurt." Seven Hebrew words are used for this animal; six to describe his movements and four to describe his roar. He is mentioned in the Bible about one hundred and thirty times. In Job 4:10, Job 4:11, five different words are used for him. In Jdg 14:5; Psalms 21:13; 103:21 (Sept.), the same word as here is used for the roaring of the lion as a translation of the Hebrew word for the thunder in Job 37:4.

Vincent: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Walketh about ( περιπατεῖ )
Compare Job 1:7; Job 2:2. This word gave name to that sect of Greek philosophers known as Peripatetics, ...
Walketh about (
Compare Job 1:7; Job 2:2. This word gave name to that sect of Greek philosophers known as Peripatetics, because they walked about while teaching or disputing. " St. Peter calls Satan the Peripatetic " (Cox, on Job). The Arabs call him the Busy One. It was to Peter that Christ said, " Satan hath desired to have you," etc. (Luk 22:31).
Wesley: 1Pe 5:8 - -- But in the mean time watch. There is a close connexion between this, and the duly casting our care upon him. How deeply had St.
But in the mean time watch. There is a close connexion between this, and the duly casting our care upon him. How deeply had St.

As if he had said, Awake, and keep awake. Sleep no more: be this your care.
JFB: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Peter has in mind Christ's warning to himself to watch against Satan, from forgetting which he fell.
Peter has in mind Christ's warning to himself to watch against Satan, from forgetting which he fell.

JFB: 1Pe 5:8 - -- "Care," that is, anxiety, will intoxicate the soul; therefore be sober, that is, self-restrained. Yet, lest this freedom from care should lead any to ...
"Care," that is, anxiety, will intoxicate the soul; therefore be sober, that is, self-restrained. Yet, lest this freedom from care should lead any to false security, he adds, "Be vigilant" against "your adversary." Let this be your "care." God provides, therefore do not be anxious. The devil seeks, therefore watch [BENGEL].

JFB: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Omitted in the oldest manuscripts The broken and disjointed sentences are more fervid and forcible. LUCIFER OF CAGLIARI reads as English Version.
Omitted in the oldest manuscripts The broken and disjointed sentences are more fervid and forcible. LUCIFER OF CAGLIARI reads as English Version.

JFB: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Literally, "opponent in a court of justice" (Zec 3:1). "Satan" means opponent. "Devil," accuser or slanderer (Rev 12:10). "The enemy" (Mat 13:39). "A ...

JFB: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Implying his violent and insatiable thirst for prey as a hungry lion. Through man's sin he got God's justice on his side against us; but Christ, our A...
Implying his violent and insatiable thirst for prey as a hungry lion. Through man's sin he got God's justice on his side against us; but Christ, our Advocate, by fulfilling all the demands of justice for us, has made our redemption altogether consistent with justice.

JFB: 1Pe 5:8 - -- (Job 1:7; Job 2:2). So the children of the wicked one cannot rest. Evil spirits are in 2Pe 2:4; Jud 1:6, said to be already in chains of darkness and...
(Job 1:7; Job 2:2). So the children of the wicked one cannot rest. Evil spirits are in 2Pe 2:4; Jud 1:6, said to be already in chains of darkness and in hell. This probably means that this is their doom finally: a doom already begun in part; though for a time they are permitted to roam in the world (of which Satan is prince), especially in the dark air that surrounds the earth. Hence perhaps arises the miasma of the air at times, as physical and moral evil are closely connected.

JFB: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Entangle in worldly "care" (1Pe 5:7) and other snares, so as finally to destroy. Compare Rev 12:15-16.
Entangle in worldly "care" (1Pe 5:7) and other snares, so as finally to destroy. Compare Rev 12:15-16.
Clarke: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Be sober - Avoid drunkenness of your senses, and drunkenness in your souls; be not overcharged with the concerns of the world
Be sober - Avoid drunkenness of your senses, and drunkenness in your souls; be not overcharged with the concerns of the world

Clarke: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Be vigilant - Awake, and keep awake; be always watchful; never be off your guard; your enemies are alert, they are never off theirs
Be vigilant - Awake, and keep awake; be always watchful; never be off your guard; your enemies are alert, they are never off theirs

Clarke: 1Pe 5:8 - -- 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....
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

Clarke: 1Pe 5:8 - -- As a roaring lion - Satan tempts under three forms
1. The subtle serpent; to beguile our senses, pervert our judgment, and enchant...
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, etc., who were now suffering a grievous persecution

Clarke: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Seeking whom he may devour - Τινα καταπιῃ· Whom he may gulp down. It is not every one that he can swallow down: those who are sober ...
Seeking whom he may devour -
Calvin -> 1Pe 5:8
Calvin: 1Pe 5:8 - -- 8.Be sober This explanation extends wider, that as we have war with a most fierce and most powerful enemy, we are to be strenuous in resisting him. B...
8.Be sober This explanation extends wider, that as we have war with a most fierce and most powerful enemy, we are to be strenuous in resisting him. But he uses a twofold metaphor, that they were to be sober, and that they were to exercise watchfulness. Surfeiting produces sloth and sleep; even so they who indulge in earthly cares and pleasures, think of nothing else, being under the power of spiritual lethargy.
We now perceive what the meaning of the Apostle is. We must, he says, carry on a warfare in this world; and he reminds us that we have to do with no common enemy, but one who, like a lion, runs here and there, ready to devour. He hence concludes that we ought carefully to watch. Paul stimulates us with the same argument in Eph 6:10, where he says that we have a contest not with flesh and blood, but with spiritual wickedness, etc. But we too often turn peace into sloth, and hence it comes that the enemy then circumvents and overwhelms us; for, as though placed beyond the reach of danger, we indulge ourselves according to the will of the flesh.
He compares the devil to a lion, as though he had said, that he is a savage wild beast. He says that he goes round to devour, in order to rouse us to wariness. He calls him the adversary of the godly, that they might know that they worship God and profess faith in Christ on this condition, that they are to have continual war with the devil, for he does not spare the members who fights with the head.
Defender: 1Pe 5:8 - -- "Devil" means "slanderer," and "Satan" means "accuser." He is also called the "Adversary." He is adversary to both God and man, slandering and accusin...
"Devil" means "slanderer," and "Satan" means "accuser." He is also called the "Adversary." He is adversary to both God and man, slandering and accusing man to God and God to man.

Defender: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Satan is like a "roaring lion" and also is "the great dragon" and "that old serpent" (Rev 12:9), but he can also be "transformed into an angel of ligh...
TSK -> 1Pe 5:8
TSK: 1Pe 5:8 - -- sober : 1Pe 1:13, 1Pe 4:7; Mat 24:48-50; Luk 12:45, Luk 12:46, Luk 21:34, Luk 21:36; Rom 13:11-13; 1Th 5:6-8; 1Ti 2:9, 1Ti 2:15, 1Ti 3:2, 1Ti 3:11; Ti...
sober : 1Pe 1:13, 1Pe 4:7; Mat 24:48-50; Luk 12:45, Luk 12:46, Luk 21:34, Luk 21:36; Rom 13:11-13; 1Th 5:6-8; 1Ti 2:9, 1Ti 2:15, 1Ti 3:2, 1Ti 3:11; Tit 1:8, Tit 2:2, Tit 2:4, Tit 2:6, Tit 2:12
your : Est 7:6; Job 1:6, Job 2:2; Psa 109:6 *marg. Isa 50:8; Zec 3:1; Luk 22:31
the devil : Mat 4:1, Mat 4:11, Mat 13:39, Mat 25:41; Joh 8:44; Eph 4:27, Eph 6:11; Jam 4:7; 1Jo 3:8-10; Rev 12:9, Rev 20:2, Rev 20:10
as : Jdg 14:5; Psa 104:21; Pro 19:12, Pro 20:2; Isa 5:29, Isa 5:30, Isa 14:12, Isa 14:13; Jer 2:15; Jer 51:38; Eze 19:7; Hos 11:10; Joe 3:16; Amo 1:2, Amo 3:4, Amo 3:8; Zec 11:3; 2Ti 4:17; Rev 12:12

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> 1Pe 5:8
Barnes: 1Pe 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. Do not doubt...
Be sober - While you cast your cares Upon God, and have no anxiety on that score, let your solicitude be directed to another point. Do not doubt that he is able and willing to support and befriend you, but be watchful against your foes. See the word used here fully explained in the notes at 1Th 5:6.
Be vigilant - This word (
Your adversary the devil - Your enemy; he who is opposed to you. Satan opposes man in his best interests. He resists his efforts to do good; his purposes to return to God; his attempts to secure his own salvation. There is no more appropriate appellation that can be given to him than to say that he resists all our efforts to obey God and to secure the salvation of our own souls.
As a roaring lion - Compare Rev 12:12. Sometimes Satan is represented as transforming himself into an angel of light, (see the notes at 2Co 11:14); and sometimes, as here, as a roaring lion: denoting the efforts which he makes to alarm and overpower us. The lion here is not the crouching lion - the lion stealthfully creeping toward his foe - but it is the raging monarch of the woods, who by his terrible roar would intimidate all so that they might become an easy prey. The particular thing referred to here, doubtless, is persecution, resembling in its terrors a roaring lion. When error comes in; when seductive arts abound; when the world allures and charms the representation of the character of the foe is not of the roaring lion, but of the silent influence of an enemy that has clothed himself in the garb of an angel of light, 2Co 11:14.
Walketh about, seeking whom he may devour - "Naturalists have observed that a lion roars when he is roused with hunger, for then he is most fierce, and most eagerly seeks his prey. See Jdg 14:5; Psa 22:13; Jer 2:15; Eze 22:25; Hos 11:10; Zep 3:3; Zec 11:3"- Benson.
Poole -> 1Pe 5:8
Poole: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Be sober: see 1Pe 1:13 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.,...
Be sober: see 1Pe 1:13 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, Mat 24:42 Mat 25:13 26:41 1Th 5:6 .
Because your adversary or, that adversary of yours; he that contends with you, is plaintiff against you, Mat 5:25 Luk 12:58 . It answers to the Hebrew word Satan, Zec 3:1 .
The devil your accuser, he that maligns you, calumniates you, informs against you: he is so called, Mat 4:1 13:39 , and elsewhere, because of his accusing God to men, Gen 3:4,5 , and men to God, Job 1:7 2:2 Rev 12:10 , as well as each to other, Joh 8:44 .
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 Job 1:7 .
Seeking whom he may devour not lightly hurt, but swallow up and utterly destroy, by himself or his instruments.
PBC -> 1Pe 5:8
PBC: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Reflect on some of your most difficult temptations. Satan is not omniscient, but he has a long history of studying and knowing human nature. He knows ...
Reflect on some of your most difficult temptations. Satan is not omniscient, but he has a long history of studying and knowing human nature. He knows our fallen inclinations quite well. He knows our individual history; he learns well from observation. Thus, he knows our personal weaknesses, and he frames temptations to take advantage of our strongest inclinations. He is unscrupulous. He will stop at no tactic to break down our spiritual and moral defenses. The believer who dismisses satanic abilities as trivial is set to fall prey to a formidable enemy.
Simply and astutely, Peter lays out an effective battle strategy for our spiritual victory. He writes both from experience and from inspiration. He won some major battles against this adversary; he also lost a few. We have the advantage of learning from a seasoned soldier who recovered from staggering defeats to gain an impressive victory over our enemy. He responded so carnally to the Captain of his salvation that Jesus rebuked him as being under the influence of the enemy, " Get thee behind me Satan." {Mt 16:23} If we observe Peter on the very eve of the Captain’s greatest engagement with the enemy, he cowers in fear, even denies his allegiance to the Captain, not once, but three times. Later, after he recovered from these setbacks, encouraged by a patient and instructive Lord’s special emissary, {Mr 16:7} " ... and Peter," he fell prey to the fear of the enemy’s ploys and briefly encouraged racial schism within the ranks of his own army. {Ga 2:11-21} Rebuked by a respected and brave fellow-soldier, once again Peter recovered. Peter’s most instructive example to us may well appear in our Lord’s consistent and repeated interventions to recover a profitable servant, despite occasional lapses. The Captain of our salvation is brave; he demands our best and will readily confront our failures, but his objective is to grow stronger soldiers, not throw them out of the army at the least infraction. Abraham, Moses, and David bear ancient witness to the Lord’s patient training, even when His soldiers occasionally fail the test under the heat of the battle. Peter, along with John Mark, joins New Testament witnesses to the incredible goodness of our Captain. So long as we learn from our failures and grow out of them, He exhibits surprising benevolence. However, when we refuse to learn from our faults and stubbornly persist in disloyalty, He can also demonstrate frightening severity. Regardless of the occasion or of His reaction, His soldiers learn that His conduct faithfully honors His name and is mercifully kind, even when He must respond to their sins in severity.
Let’s examine Peter’s strategy for effective loyalty and faithful service to our Captain in the heat of battle.
" Be sober."
The Greek word translated sober is defined as, " 1 to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit; 2 to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect.[i] Although the word distinctly warns soldiers against " drinking on the job," it appears that Peter’s intent deals more directly with a sober state of mind than with a physical state of inebriation. Historically, soldiers are stereotyped for their readiness to drink, but they must never entertain the idea that they can indulge their appetites while on duty. Christians can become drunk with thirst for popularity, with the desire for money or other personal pleasure indulgences, with the thirst for power, or any number of appealing distractions to their primary assignment as soldiers of Captain Jesus. Peter’s instruction covers all such interferences to effective service in the spiritual army of the Lord Jesus Christ. What is your most enticing distraction? Do you chase it as a secular soldier chases alcohol while on leave from duty? Regardless of how well you justify or rationalize it, this alluring entertainment may be as detrimental to your spiritual service as addiction to alcohol could be to a soldier.
" ... Be vigilant."
This word is defined as " 1 to watch; 2 metaph. give strict attention to, be cautious, active; 2a to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one.[ii] If the instruction to spiritual sobriety refers to leisure time, this directive addresses our attitude while on active duty. A sleepy, unobservant soldier is easy prey to an aggressive adversary. There is a fine line between admirable watchfulness and paranoia. A good soldier knows the difference and avoids excessive paranoia, a trait that will eventually make him suspicious and distrusting, even of his fellow-soldiers.
" ... Because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
When our adversary approaches us with enticing temptations, he tries to depict himself in any form except his true character. He will pretend to be concerned for our true personal needs. He will appeal to our battle fatigue and the need for rest, even though he is the cause of the fatigue. Peter strips off the disguise and reveals his true character. A lion’s roar has been heard as much as five miles away. It has been observed at times to frighten his prey so as to paralyze them; he may simply move in and devour them while they stand frozen in fear from the noise of his roar. Never allow yourself to be deceived; this lion is not toothless. He is quite adept at devouring the weak and the gullible. Peter warns us that he is altogether capable of devouring any who stand in his way. Our only defense is our faithful stand with the ranks of our Captain, holding consistently to the battle strategy that the Captain has handed down to us through such lieutenants as Peter, Paul, John, and others in the official manual of war.
275
[i] Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1996.
[ii] Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1996.
Gill -> 1Pe 5:8
Gill: 1Pe 5:8 - -- Be sober, be vigilant,.... The apostle had exhorted to each of these before; see 1Pe 1:13 but thought fit to repeat them; sobriety and watchfulness be...
Be sober, be vigilant,.... The apostle had exhorted to each of these before; see 1Pe 1:13 but thought fit to repeat them; sobriety and watchfulness being exceeding necessary and useful in the Christian life; and the one cannot well be without the other: unless a man is sober in body and mind, he will not be watchful, either over himself or others, or against the snares of sin, Satan, and the world; and if he is not on his watch and guard, he is liable to every sin and temptation. The Syriac version renders the words, "watch", and "be ye mindful", or "remember"; watch with diligence, care, and industry, keeping a good lookout, minding and observing everything that presents, and remembering the power and cunning of the enemy; and the Ethiopic version renders them thus, "be ye prudent, and cause your heart to understand"; referring them not to temperance of body, but sobriety of mind, and to a prudent conduct and behaviour, as having a subtle as well as a malicious enemy to deal with:
because your adversary the devil; he who is a defamer and calumniator; who accuses God to men, and men to God, and is therefore styled the accuser of the brethren; he is the saints' avowed and implacable enemy. Satan is an enemy to mankind in general, but more especially to the seed of the woman, to Christ personal, and to Christ mystical, to all the elect of God: the word here used is a forensic term, and signifies a court adversary, or one that litigates a point in law, or opposes another in an action or suit at law. The Jews c have adopted this word into their language, and explain it by
as a roaring lion; so called, both on account of his strength, and also because of his rage, malice, and cruelty, which he breathes out against the saints, who, though he cannot destroy them, will do all he can to terrify and affright them; so the young lions in Psa 104:21 are, by the Cabalistic Jews d, understood of devils; to which, for the above reasons, they may be truly compared:
walketh about; to and fro in the earth; see Job 1:7 as a lion runs about here and there, when almost famished with hunger; and it also denotes the insidious methods, wiles, and stratagems Satan takes to surprise men, and get an advantage of them: he takes a tour, and comes round upon them, upon the back of them, at an unawares, so that they have need to be always sober, and upon their guard:
seeking whom he may devour; this is the end of his walking about: and the like is expressed in the Targum on Job 1:7
"and Satan answered before the Lord, and said, from going about in the earth
that so he might have something to accuse them of, and they fall a prey into his hands. This is the work he is continually employed in; he is always seeking to do mischief, either to the souls, or bodies, or estates of men, especially the former; though he can do nothing in either respect without a permission, not unless he "may"; and though this, with respect to body and estate, is sometimes granted, as in the case of Job, yet never with respect to the souls of any of God's elect, which are safe in Christ's hands, and out of his reach; this hinders not but that saints should be sober and watchful.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: 1Pe 5:8 A few mss (B Ψ 0206vid pc) lack the pronoun τινα (tina), while others have it. Those that have it either put the acute accent...
Geneva Bible -> 1Pe 5:8
Geneva Bible: 1Pe 5:8 ( 11 ) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
( 11 ) The cruelty of S...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 1Pe 5:1-14
TSK Synopsis: 1Pe 5:1-14 - --1 He exhorts the elders to feed their flocks;5 the younger to obey;8 and all to be sober, watchful, and constant in the faith;9 and to resist the crue...
MHCC -> 1Pe 5:5-9
MHCC: 1Pe 5:5-9 - --Humility preserves peace and order in all Christian churches and societies; pride disturbs them. Where God gives grace to be humble, he will give wisd...
Matthew Henry -> 1Pe 5:8-9
Matthew Henry: 1Pe 5:8-9 - -- Here the apostle does three things: - I. He shows them their danger from an enemy more cruel and restless than even the worst of men, whom he descr...
Barclay -> 1Pe 5:6-11; 1Pe 5:6-11
Barclay: 1Pe 5:6-11 - --Here Peter speaks in imperatives, laying down certain laws for the Christian life.
(i) There is the law of humility before God. The Christian must h...

Barclay: 1Pe 5:6-11 - --(v) Finally, Peter speaks of the law of Christian suffering. He says that, after the Christian has gone through suffering, God will restore, esta...
Constable -> 1Pe 5:1-11; 1Pe 5:8-11
Constable: 1Pe 5:1-11 - --B. The Church under Trial 5:1-11
Peter concluded the body of his epistle and this section on encourageme...
