Does Peter Really Want Us To Be Sober?

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8)

We all get and understand that sober can be a reference to not being intoxicated. But that doesn’t really mesh well with this verse. “Nepho” is the word that is transliterated here as sober, but more often than not, it is transliterated into English as, “watch”. Now that makes more sense for this verse.

The word “watch” means to be cognizant of your environment, of the things around you both physically and spiritually. It is a condition of dispassionate awareness. You’re not excited or nervous over the possible evil, but rather you’re cool, calm, and collected as you remain attentive to your world. This fits nicely into the verse.

“Watch” and be vigilant. Why? Because the enemy the devil is roaming around, stalking, just waiting to pounce and consume those not paying attention.

Sometimes it can be rather confusing. Take for example in Peter 4.

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7).

The word now being used as “sober” is derived from a different Hebrew word, “sophroneo”. Instead of being aware of your surroundings, sober now means to be of a sound mind and having control over self, emotions and passions.

“Watch” is now the English word being transliterated from the word “nepho”.

So, two different English words are used to express one word. Watch and sober would never be used to mean the same thing in English, but it is here in Peter.

Never assume anything when reading the Bible. If a verse or passage holds a significant meaning for you, research each word to see if that word means what you think it does.

For example, the word conversation in the Bible never has anything to do with talking. It’s usually a reference to how someone behaves and lives their life, or it’s a reference to citizenship.

And if you have the time and notion, look for phrases, axioms, idioms, metaphors, similes, expressions, etc. For example, when Nathanael wanted to know how Jesus knew him Jesus replied, “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” (John 1:48)

The significance is placed on Nathanael being under the fig tree, which is a metaphor for being wise and knowledgeable.

Most of the messages of the Bible are not necessarily overt. Take for example names. Every name in the Bible has a meaning, a significance that relates to that person and what part they play in the Bible. Nathanael means, “gift of God”. Jesus means, “Jehovah is salvation” and Israel means “God prevails”. These examples of what a name means paint a good picture of who these people are and their purpose and function.

Dig into your Bibles! Never assume you know or understand what is written, even when it appears to be blatant and obvious!

Bill Hitchcock