What does it mean to “gird up the loins of your mind?”
In 1 Peter 1:13, the King James Version says to “gird up the loins of your mind.” The NASB says it this way:
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Peter just finished encouraging his readers about the glory of God’s work in ensuring their salvation (vv. 3-5). The prior few verses also provided at least eleven assertions of eternal security and the eternal nature of salvation. Because of these statements of hope, one can rejoice in the greatest of difficulties because they know that God will deliver them based on His promises and faithfulness (vv. 6-9).
In addition, the message of this salvation is both trustworthy and magnificent (vs. 12). From these factors and assurances above, Peter can encourage his readers to “gird up the loins of your mind.” This, of course, is a figure of speech. The mind does not have “loins.”
Similar use of this phrase is found in 1 Kings 18:46 when Elijah prepared himself to run from Ahab to Jezreel. The loin cloth hung down from the waist, along with the robe. This would restrict movement. By wrapping up the cloth, which is hindering movement, a person in that culture could move much more effectively.
The same idea is mentioned in Ephesians 6:14. The apostle Paul explains that the armor of God also consists of the ‘Belt of Truth.’ The belt is used to keep one’s clothes together and to help in girding up the loin cloths. To be “girded with Truth” implies that one is ready for action and is supported or held together by God’s Truth.
In the same way, Peter is encouraging his readers to be prepared for action, to gird up “the loins of their minds.” Remove what is hindering their ability to be swift in action and prepared for anything. Along those lines, a believer is to be sober and in their ‘right mind’ (c.f. Ephesians 5:18).
Always ready, always hopeful, always able to give an account for that hope (c.f. 1 Peter 3:15).
As a reminder, the race is not always given to the swift, nor the battle to the strong (Ecclesiastes 9:11-18). Wisdom is better than strength or speed. The Wisdom and Truth from God is the best support one can have when it comes to suffering for the faith, and in dealing with life’s woes (Hebrews 6:19; James 1:5; 3:17).
For Further Study
For more studies about the apostle Peter and the Truth of God’s Word, check out these articles below.
“A Deep Dive into the Biblical Worldview” [Article]
“The Inspiration and Inerrancy of the Bible” [Article]
“Who Holds the Keys to Heaven?” [Article]
“What Does Binding and Loosing Mean in the Bible?” [Article]
“The Truth about Heaven.” [Video]