11And this — knowing the appointed moment, that the hour is already here for you to wake out of sleep; for salvation is nearer to us now than when we believed. [13:12] The night has advanced; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. [13:13] As in daytime, let us walk properly — not in boisterous reveling and drinking, not in the marriage bed and sensuality, not in dissension and jealousy. [13:14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make provision for the flesh for its desires.
ROM 13:11-14
The Day Is Near
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman urban context, the imagery of 'awakening from sleep' and 'the day drawing near' would resonate with both Jewish and Gentile audiences. For Jews, this language evoked eschatological expectations of God’s imminent intervention, rooted in prophetic texts like Isaiah 60:1-2. For Gentiles, particularly those familiar with Stoic philosophy, the metaphor of awakening symbolized moral enlightenment and the rejection of vice. The 'works of darkness'—revelry, drunkenness, sexual immorality, and strife—were well-known features of Roman social life, especially in festivals and banquets. These behaviors were not merely private sins but public displays tied to pagan rituals and social status. The call to 'put on the armor of light' and 'put on the Lord Jesus Christ' would evoke military imagery familiar to Roman citizens, suggesting a readiness for spiritual battle. The phrase 'make no provision for the flesh' directly countered the Roman cultural emphasis on indulging bodily desires as a sign of prosperity and freedom.
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How other translations render this
ROM 13:11
- KJV
- And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
- BSB
- And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
- Koinōnos
- And this — knowing the appointed moment, that the hour is already here for you to wake out of sleep; for salvation is nearer to us now than when we believed.
ROM 13:12
- KJV
- The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
- BSB
- The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
- Koinōnos
- The night has advanced; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
ROM 13:13
- KJV
- Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
- BSB
- Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
- Koinōnos
- As in daytime, let us walk properly — not in boisterous reveling and drinking, not in the marriage bed and sensuality, not in dissension and jealousy.
ROM 13:14
- KJV
- But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
- BSB
- Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
- Koinōnos
- But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make provision for the flesh for its desires.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ROM 13:11
- time,:The word translated 'time' here refers to a specific, opportune moment or season, rather than just chronological time. It implies a critical juncture or a divinely appointed period.
ROM 13:12
- is nearly over:The phrase translated 'is nearly over' literally means to 'cut one's way forward' or 'advance.' It suggests progress or moving ahead, indicating that the night is not just ending, but actively giving way to the day.
ROM 13:13
- in reveling:The word translated 'in reveling' refers to a boisterous, often drunken procession or party, typically associated with pagan festivals and unrestrained merry-making. It implies excessive and disorderly celebration.
- in sexual immorality:The term translated 'in sexual immorality' literally means 'bed' or 'marriage bed.' In this context, it is used as a euphemism to refer to illicit sexual acts or promiscuity outside of marriage.