SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:7
¶ Mas el fin de todas las cosas se acerca; sed, pues, templados, y velad en oracin.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:7
Verse 7. But the end of all things is at hand] I think that here also St. Peter keeps the history of the deluge before his eyes, finding a parallel to the state of the Jews in his own time in that of the antediluvians in the days of Noah. In Gen. vi. 13, God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me. This was spoken at a time when God had decreed the destruction of the world by a flood. Peter says, The end of all things is at hand; and this he spoke when God had determined to destroy the Jewish people and their polity by one of the most signal judgments that ever fell upon any nation or people. In a very few years after St. Peter wrote this epistle, even taking it at the lowest computation, viz., A. D. 60 or 61, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. To this destruction, which was literally then at hand, the apostle alludes when he says, The end of all things is at hand; the end of the temple, the end of the Levitical priesthood, the end of the whole Jewish economy, was then at hand.
If these words could be taken in any general sense, then we might say to every present generation, The end of all things is at hand; the end of all the good which the wicked enjoy, and the end of all the evil which the righteous suffer.
Be-sober, and watch unto prayer.] Be sober - make a prudent and moderate use of all you possess; and watch against all occasions of sin; and pray for the supporting hand of God to be upon you for good, that ye may escape the destruction that is coming upon the Jews, and that ye may be saved from among them when the scourge comes.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. But the end of all things is at hand , etc.] With respect to particular persons, the end of life, and which is the end of all things in this world to a man, is near at hand; which is but as an hand's breadth, passes away like a tale that is told, and is but as a vapour which appears for a while, and then vanishes away. Or this may be said with regard to the Jews, the end of their church and civil state was near at hand, of their sacrifices, temple, city, and nation; or with respect to the whole universe, to the scheme and fashion of this world, which will soon be gone, though the substance will abide; when the heavens shall pass away, and the earth and all therein will be burnt up; when there will be an end of all the purposes and promises of God respecting the present state of things concerning his church and people, and of the judgments of God upon his enemies here; when the man of sin will be destroyed, and the wickedness of the wicked will be come to an end, and the sorrows, afflictions, and persecutions of the saints, will be no more; and when will be an end put to the present dispensation of things; there will be an end of the ministry of the word, and of the administration of ordinances; time will be no more, and the final state of both good and bad men will take place: this may be said to be at hand in the apostle's time, though so long ago, because that was the last time, and the last dispensation of things; and whereas they knew not the exact time when it would be, they frequently spoke of it as near, in order to stir up the saints to the more diligent discharge of duty, and fervent exercise of grace, as here: be ye therefore sober , or temperate, as the Arabic version renders it; and so is opposed to intemperance in eating and drinking, which is an abuse of the creatures of Gods, and unfits a man for the duties of religion; when Satan easily gets an advantage, and is often the cause of other sins, and is frequently dissuaded from, for the same reason as here; (see Corinthians 7:31 Luke 21:34,35) or chaste, as the Syriac version; and so is opposed to immodesty in words, actions, or apparel, in which sense sobriety is used in ( 1 Timothy 2:9) or prudent, as the Vulgate Latin version; and is opposed to all self-conceit and vanity of mind, and imprudence in conduct and conversation; (see Romans 12:3) and to all immoderate care of the world, which has the same effect upon the soul as surfeiting and drunkenness on the body: it hinders the soul in the service of God, chokes the word, and makes it unprofitable, and runs men into many sins, snares, and temptations; and the consideration of the end of all things being at hand should draw off from it. It may also signify soundness of mind and judgment in the doctrines of faith, which are words of truth and soberness; and the rather this may be exhorted to, since towards the close of time there will be little of the doctrine of faith in the earth, and men will not be able to endure sound doctrine: it follows, and watch unto prayer ; watch all opportunities of praying, or of attendance on that ordinance, both in private and in public; watch and observe both your present wants, and present mercies, that ye may know what to pray for, and what to return thanks for; and that you have a due reverence of the divine Majesty, in whose presence you are entering. The Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions render it, watch, or be awake in prayers; be careful that you lift up your hearts with your hands to God; that you pray for such things as are agreeable to the revealed will of God;, that you pray in faith, and lift up holy hands without wrath and doubting; and watch for the Spirit of God to enlarge your hearts in prayer, and to assist you both as to the matter and manner of praying. And persons should also watch after prayer for a return of it; and that they do not depend upon the duty performed; and that they are not negligent to return thanks for the mercy prayed for, when received. Very rightly does the apostle join the above exhortation with this, since a man that is not sober is neither fit to watch nor pray; and a drunken man, according to the Jewish canons, might not pray f86 : one that is a drinker, or in drink, let him not pray, or if he prays, his prayer is deprecations; a drunken man, let him not pray, and if he prays his prayer is blasphemies.
Or, as it is elsewhere expressed, let not a drunken man pray, because he has no intention; and if he prays, his prayer is an abomination, therefore let him return and, pray when he is clear of his drunkenness: let no one in drink pray, and if he prays, his prayer is prayer (unless the word hlpt should rather be rendered folly, as it may); who is a drunken man? he that cannot speak before a king; a man in drink can speak before a king, and not be confounded; even though he drinks but a fourth part, or a quarter of wine, let him not pray until his wine is departed from him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-11 - The destruction of the Jewish church and nation, foretold by ou Saviour, was very near. And the speedy approach of death and judgmen concerns all, to which these words naturally lead our minds. Ou approaching end, is a powerful argument to make us sober in all worldl matters, and earnest in religion. There are so many things amiss it all, that unless love covers, excuses, and forgives in others, the mistakes and faults for which every one needs the forbearance of others, Satan will prevail to stir up divisions and discords. But we are not to suppose that charity will cover or make amends for the sin of those who exercise it, so as to induce God to forgive them. The nature of a Christian's work, which is high work and hard work, the goodness of the Master, and the excellence of the reward, all requir that our endeavours should be serious and earnest. And in all the duties and services of life, we should aim at the glory of God as ou chief end. He is a miserable, unsettled wretch, who cleaves to himself and forgets God; is only perplexed about his credit, and gain, and bas ends, which are often broken, and which, when he attains, both he an they must shortly perish together. But he who has given up himself an his all to God, may say confidently that the Lord is his portion; an nothing but glory through Christ Jesus, is solid and lasting; tha abideth for ever.
Greek Textus Receptus
παντων 3956 δε 1161 το 3588 τελος 5056 ηγγικεν 1448 5758 σωφρονησατε 4993 5657 ουν 3767 και 2532 νηψατε 3525 5657 εις 1519 τας 3588 προσευχας 4335
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Is at hand (hggiken). Lit., has come near. The word constantly used of the coming of Christ and his kingdom. See Matt. iii. 2; Mark i. 15; Luke x. 9; Heb. x. 25.
Be ye sober (swfronhsate). The word is from swv, sound, and frhn, the mind. Therefore, as Rev., be ye of sound mind. Compare Mark v. 15. Watch (nhyate). See on ch. i. 13. The A.V. has followed the Vulgate, vigilate (watch). Rev. is better: be sober.
Unto prayer (eiv proseucav). Lit., prayers. The plural is used designedly: prayers of all kinds, private or public. Tynd. renders, Be ye discreet and sober, that ye may be apt to prayers. Compare Ephesians vi. 18, "with every kind of prayer, and watching thereunto."
