J
Johann
Guest
1 Peter 1:13-14 KJV1 Peter 1:13-14 KJV
13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
Not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts.
Fashioning here is from a word from which we derives schematic. The same word is used here:
Romans 12:2 KJV
2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
The Grammatical Breakdown and Morphology:
"Wherefore" (διό) - This is a conjunction that introduces a consequence or result based on the preceding verses (1 Peter 1:3-12), where Peter speaks of the believer's new birth, inheritance, and salvation. It functions as a logical connector.
"gird up the loins of your mind" (ἀναζωσάμενοι τὰς ὀσφύας τῆς διανοίας ὑμῶν) -
ἀναζωσάμενοι - This verb comes from ἀναζώννυμι, meaning "to gird up" or "to prepare for action". It conveys the idea of a readiness for action, often used metaphorically to describe mental and spiritual preparedness. The verb is in the aorist middle participle, indicating a past action that continues to have an effect, here referring to the state of readiness the believer should maintain.
ὀσφύας - "Loins," literally referring to the part of the body where one would gird a garment. Used metaphorically to indicate the center of one's strength or readiness.
τῆς διανοίας ὑμῶν - "Of your mind" emphasizes the intellectual and spiritual faculties that must be prepared for the revelation of Christ. The genitive case here indicates possession, showing that this readiness pertains to one's internal state of mind.
"be sober" (νήφοντες) - The verb νήφω means "to be sober" or "to be self-controlled." In the present active participle, it suggests continual vigilance and mental clarity, particularly in matters of faith and expectation of Christ's return.
"hope to the end" (τελείως ἐλπίσατε) - This is an imperative command. ἐλπίσατε (to hope) is an aorist active imperative, which commands a decisive action—a firm and fixed hope. τελείως means "completely" or "perfectly," indicating that this hope should be unwavering and fully placed in the grace to come.
"that is to be brought unto you" (τὴν φερομένην ὑμῖν) - The present passive participle of φέρω indicates that this grace is currently being brought or is in the process of being revealed. This construction emphasizes the certainty and ongoing nature of this future grace at the revelation (ἀποκάλυψις) of Jesus Christ.
"not fashioning yourselves" (μὴ συσχηματιζόμενοι) - Here, the verb συσχηματίζω means "to conform" or "to shape oneself after." It is in the present middle participle, which implies a continuous action that the subject does to or for themselves (in this case, the believers are being warned not to conform themselves). The negative particle μὴ prohibits such ongoing conformity.
Exegetical Commentary:
The command not to "fashion" or "conform" (συσχηματίζω) to former lusts is an exhortation to radical transformation in the believer's conduct. This verb συσχηματίζω is particularly interesting because it carries the idea of outward conformity to a particular pattern or mold—in this case, the sinful desires of one’s past. Peter emphasizes that, in ignorance, the believers once lived according to the dictates of their "former lusts" (πρότερον ἐν τῇ ἀγνοίᾳ ἐπιθυμίαις). The former life is characterized by ignorance and sinful desires, but now, as obedient children, believers are called to break from those patterns. This command involves a mental and spiritual transformation that resists conforming to the old ways.
@marks here your observation is insightful, as it shows the nuanced meaning of the word δεδικαίωται (from δικαιόω) in Romans 6:7. While most English translations render this as "freed from sin," the verb δικαιόω primarily means "to justify" or "to declare righteous." So, a more literal translation might indeed be "the one who has died has been justified from sin."I've noticed that "freed" here is translated from dikaioo, for a literal reading of "the one who has died is justified away from sin". I think "freed from sin" is the meaning here, but I also think that "justified away from sin" is the manner in which it happens.
That being co-crucified and then raised with Christ renders us righteous by virtue of a new creation, which is our justification - righteous-making -
The theological implication of this wording aligns with your understanding of justification being the manner by which believers are freed from sin.
1. Justification as Righteous-Making:
δικαιόω does not just imply a legal acquittal, as in a courtroom setting, but it also involves a transformative aspect. In Paul’s theology, being "justified" through faith in Christ is not merely a declaration of innocence but a real transformation that affects one's standing before God. Through justification, the believer is made righteous and set apart from sin.
Therefore, when Paul says "the one who has died" (i.e., the believer who has spiritually died with Christ), "has been justified away from sin," this carries the idea that justification breaks sin's power. This means that the believer is declared righteous and thus freed from sin's dominion.
2. Co-Crucifixion and Co-Resurrection as Justification:
As you pointed out, the process of being co-crucified and co-resurrected with Christ is not only about freedom from sin’s grip, but it’s also the means by which we are made righteous. This is a central part of Paul’s soteriology (doctrine of salvation)—the believer participates in Christ’s death and resurrection, and as a result, the old sinful nature is crucified, and a new creation emerges.
This new creation, formed in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection, is what constitutes the believer’s justification or righteous-making. Through this union with Christ, believers are not only seen as righteous in a legal sense but are actually being transformed into righteous beings by virtue of their new life in Christ.
3. Justified "Away From" Sin:
The phrase "away from sin" (ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας) suggests not just freedom from the guilt of sin but also a complete separation from sin’s power. The preposition ἀπό conveys the idea of distance or separation—indicating that the justified person has been removed from the realm of sin’s control.
In this sense, justification "away from sin" means that the believer is no longer under sin’s dominion, and the legal, moral, and spiritual effects of sin are nullified because they have been declared righteous by God through Christ’s sacrifice.
Absolutely spot on.@Hepzibah speaks of Christ not being able to live in someone who commits sin, but I think the reality is totally different from that. It's not about Him living in me as I still sin, it's about me living in Him in Whom is no sin.
Being "righteous-ized" away from sin means to be recreated in righteousness so that I'm no longer the sinner. Which is what Paul says in Romans 7, "Therefore it is no more I, but sin that lives in me." "put to death your members that are on the earth."
So my question for you my learned brother, is this the right idea on that passage, "the one who has died is freed from sin"?
Here’s why:
Literal Translation:
The Greek phrase "δεδικαίωται ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας" literally means "has been justified from sin." While most translations use "freed from sin" because this captures the practical outcome, the original verb δικαιόω speaks to justification—being declared righteous.
The concept of being "freed" stems from the fact that justification by God removes both the guilt and the power of sin over the believer’s life. In other words, to be justified is to be set free from sin's authority.
Death as Liberation:
The one who has died—i.e., the believer who has died with Christ (as discussed in Romans 6:3-6)—is no longer bound to sin because death breaks the bond. Just as physical death ends one’s legal and social obligations, spiritual death with Christ ends the believer's obligation to sin.
This death is not only a release from sin’s penalty (justification) but also from its dominion and control. Paul emphasizes that the old self is crucified, which means that sin no longer has mastery.
Justification as Freedom from Sin:
The idea of justification is not only about a legal declaration of righteousness but about the believer being set apart from the realm of sin. Through union with Christ in His death, the believer is freed from the necessity to serve sin, both legally and practically.
This righteous-making process (justification) is what enables the believer to live in the newness of life that Paul describes in the surrounding verses. It’s not just a change in status, but a real transformation that results in freedom from sin's power.
Hope this is helpful.
J.