-- Ed. We are going soon to meet him, and it becomes us to rouse, and to do those deeds, and those only, which will bear the bright shining of the light of truth, and the scrutiny of him who is "light, and in whom is no darkness at all;" 1 John 1:5. II. As, however, the words are metaphorical, it may be useful to consider their meaning: Ignorance of God is what he calls night; for all who are thus ignorant go astray and sleep as people do in the night. Commentary on Romans 13:11-14 (Read Romans 13:11-14) Four things are here taught, as a Christian's directory for his day's work. Paying tribute is the same as “paying taxes”. Hoc enim, quum noverimus tempus, quia hora est qua jam e somno expergiscamur (nunc enim propior est salus nostra quam quum credi-dimus,). Romans 8:1 tells us we are free from the guilt of sin. He has no need to feel great anxiety, excepting the eagerness of expectation, ), knowing that it is high time for you to awake out of sleep, that it is the hour for you to be already roused out of sleep, The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. He began preaching at Damascus, but on account of persecution went into Arabia. Romans 5:1-11. [411] The case is the same with the two preceding instances; the vice which seems to follow is placed first. It is evidently a new subject of exhortation, as Calvin says, and the words must be rendered as he proposes, or be viewed as elliptical; the word "I say," or "I command," according to Macknight, being understood, "This also I say, since we know the time," etc. The subject is wholly different. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Calvin keeps to what accords with the context, the putting on of Christ as to his holy image. It probably, however, has its usual meaning here, denoting that deliverance from sin and danger which awaits Christians in heaven; and is thus equivalent to the expression, "You are advancing nearer to heaven. This metaphor is commonly used in Scripture with respect to what tends to adorn or to deform man; both of which may be seen in his clothing: for a filthy and torn garment dishonors a man; but what is becoming and clean recommends him. knowing the time, that now it is high time—literally, "the hour has already come.". For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh: The law can do many things. He was one of the most unmerciful persecutors of the early Christians, but was converted by the sudden appearance to him of the risen Lord. Calvin keeps to what accords with the context, the putting on of Christ as to his holy image. At that time it was to be expected that they would sleep the sleep of spiritual death. The distinction between night and day of a Christian, ought to be clearly kept in view. 1. He mentions here three kinds of vices, and to each he has given two names, -- intemperant and excess in living, -- carnal lust and uncleanness, which is connected with it, -- and envy and contention. Romans 5:12-19. [410]. Sin came into the world through one man (Adam) and spread to many, so also the gift of grace came through one man (Jesus) and abounds unto many. Laws reveal to us our religious and/or civic duties. Others, to increased "light" and knowledge of the gospel, so that they could more clearly discern their duty than when they became believers. Every hour brings the expected end nearer. (11) And that, knowing the time.—And that there is all the more urgent motive for you to do—this law of love it is the more incumbent on you to practise—because you know what a critical moment it is in which you are living. 13. [411] The case is the same with the two preceding instances; the vice which seems to follow is placed first. Of that whole assembly to which he wrote, how few were Jews? [412] On this account he says also in another place, that we put on Christ in baptism. [412] Many have explained "the putting on" here in a manner wholly inconsistent with the passage, as though the putting on of Christ's righteousness was intended. In response to the breakdown all around us and to the call of our God, let Christians around the world confess that it is high time that we come back to victorious living and triumphant evangelism. Romans, A Study Guide - From The Executable Outlines Series by Mark A. Copeland - Hundreds of free sermon outlines and Bible study materials available for … (Comp. And the sleep mentioned here is not the sleep of ignorance and unbelief, but the sleep, the torpor, or inactivity of Christians. -- Ed. The same idea is beautifully presented in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8. The true, the genuine Christian life is like the state of a man whose eyes are open and whose faculties are all alert and vigorous. Awake out of sleep.—A striking metaphor. Because the Spirit brings His order into our lives (1 … Note: The breakdown of the Bible into chapters (although not always adequate) ... —Romans 13:11-12. Paul established churches in many cities. The world has been sunk in the "night" of paganism and sin. Every day brings us nearer to a world of perfect light. For now is our salvation - The word "salvation" has been here variously interpreted. 12. Considering the time; a busy time; a perilous time. The armor of light represents good, and temperate, and holy actions, such as are suitable to the day; and armor is mentioned rather than works, because we are to carry on a warfare for the Lord. 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. 13 Sicut in die decenter ambulemus; non comessationibus neque ebrietatibus, neque eubilibus neque lasciviis, neque contentione neque aemulatione: 14. The sum of what he says is, -- that as soon as God begins to call us, we ought to do the same, as when we conclude from the first dawn of the day that the full sun is at hand; we ought to look forward to the coming of Christ. Paul, the author, was a Hebrew by descent, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, and educated by Gamaliel, the great Pharisaic teacher. Besides, the comparison between the night and the day does in my judgment dissipate every doubt on the point. He wrote this to the Romans, who, as they were rich, so they were drained by taxes and impositions, to the just and honest payment of which they are here pressed by the apostle. that now it is high time to awake out of sleep. We Christians are free from the law. Romans 13:11-14. The meaning is," Hitherto we have walked in darkness and in sin. The works of darkness are shameful and wicked works; for night, as some one says, is shameless. The whole passage would then read better in this manner, -- 11. -- Ed. Moreover, know the time, that it is even now the very time for us to awake from sleep; for nearer now is our salvation than when we 12. believed: the night has advanced, and the day has approached; let us then cast away the works of darkness, and let us put on the 13. armor of light; let us, as in the day, walk in a becoming manner, etc. Sed induamini Dominum Iesum Christum, et carnis curam ne agatis ad concupiscentias. Romans 8:19; Romans 8:23, “the manifestation of the sons of God,” “the redemption of the body;” Luke 21:28, “your redemption draweth nigh.”). Rev., season. The night of heathen ignorance as to Christians had already passed, and the day of gospel light was not approaching, but had appeared. But the whole tenor of what follows by no means favors this view. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” # 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. He had known about him, but had never surrendered to him. But afterwards, when he bids us to walk in the light, as it were during the day time, he does not continue the same metaphor; for he compares to the day our present state, while Christ shines on us. 1700 28th Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 11. 11. [409] The preceding explanation of night and day, as here to be understood, does not comport with what is afterwards said on. This doesn't mean we break the law, but that we obey it by the power of the Spirit. Living in the light of the coming of the day (13:11-14) Instructions for the ‘weak’ and the ‘strong’ (14:1-15:13) Paul’s ministry and future plans (15:14-33) Conclusion (16:1-27) Ben Witherington (Socio-Rhetorical Commentary) Witherington takes a distinct approach by reading the letter through the lens of … The conduct to which such a hope should incite. b. However, it is sadly and often true that believers are in a spiritual state of slumber and drowsiness, and because of this God must send forth a wake up call. It is "time," therefore, for people to cast off the deeds of darkness, and rise to life, and purity, and action; compare Acts 17:30-31. 11. 3. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Taking just views of the shortness and the value of time; of the design for which it was given, and of the fact that it is, in regard to us, rapidly coming to a close. Sleep - Inactivity; insensibility to the doctrines and duties of religion. When to awake; Now; and to awake out of the sleep of carnal security, sloth, and negligence; out of the sleep of spiritual death, and out of the sleep of spiritual deadness. (Tholuck, and the Germans generally.) The intervening words are to be read as in a parenthesis. 11. It is evidently a new subject of exhortation, as Calvin says, and the words must be rendered as he proposes, or be viewed as elliptical; the word "I say," or "I command," according to Macknight, being understood, "This also I say, since we know the time," etc. The dawn of day, the approaching light of the morning, is the time to arouse from slumber. The powerful challenge of Romans 13 refers all the way back to the admonitions that begin in chapter 12. ROMANS 13:11-14. ), certainly believed that the Parusia, or Second Coming of Christ, was near at hand. This is favored by the order of the Greek words. Now to put on Christ, means here to be on every side fortified by the power of his Spirit, and be thereby prepared to discharge all the duties of holiness; for thus is the image of God renewed in us, which is the only true ornament of the soul. 2. Hoc enim, quum noverimus tempus, quia hora est qua jam e somno expergiscamur (nunc enim propior est salus nostra quam quum credi-dimus,) Both are necessary: for Christ is our sanctification, the author, worker, and example of it, as well as our righteousness. [410] The words kai touto, according to Beza, Grotius, Mede, etc., connect what follows with the preceding exhortation to love, "And this do, or let us do, as we know," etc. Therefore let us lay aside the … to awake out of sleep—of stupid, fatal indifference to eternal things. D. Paul stresses an urgency righteous living 13:11-14. Romans 13:11 Commentaries: Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. By light he means the revelation of divine truth, by which Christ the sun of righteousness arises on us. Paul, setting a bridle on our desires, reminds us, that the cause of all intemperance is, that no one is content with a moderate or lawful use of things: he has therefore laid down this rule, -- that we are to provide for the wants of our flesh, but not to indulge its lusts. Some suppose that by it the apostle refers to the personal reign of Christ on the earth. -- Ed. This is in addition to the putting him on as our righteousness, and not as a substitute for it. [411], 14. All besides, whatever it be, the state of heathenism or of imperfect and lukewarm Christianity, is like the torpor of sleep. [412] Many have explained "the putting on" here in a manner wholly inconsistent with the passage, as though the putting on of Christ's righteousness was intended. Paul uses the term in the broadest possible sense to speak of all kinds of taxes. VERSE-BY-VERSE COMMENTARY with Dr. Grant C. Richison exposes the mind of God to the mind of man by expounding individual books of God’s Word verse-by-verse.. Each study expounds a passage, forms a principle out of that passage, and shows how to apply that principle to your life. Every one then who wishes to satisfy the desires of the flesh, must necessarily not only fall into, but be immerged in a vast and deep gulf. Since we have been justified by faith, we are at peace with God. To awake ... - This is a beautiful figure. (Read Romans 1:18-25) The apostle begins to show that all mankind need the salvation of the gospel, because none could obtain the favour of God, or escape his wrath by their own works. And have no care, etc. (Galatians 3:27.). Paul speaks metaphorically of night as the present age and uses day to mean the coming of the Lord. Romans 1 covers Paul’s introduction to the book of Romans as well as building a case against the entire world that we were guilty before God. See on Matthew 12:1. However, the church in Rome was not … In regard to religion they are insensible, and the slumbers of night are on their eyelids. Moreover, etc. Romans 14:10 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verses 13, 15 and 21. Paul wrote it during his stay in Corinth, probably about 57 *A.D.. 2. We are to be wide awake and alert, serving the Lord. That the present state of believers, their condition in this world, is meant here by "night," and their state of future glory is meant by "day," appears evident from the words which follow, "for nearer now is our salvation than when we believed." If we adopt "I command," or "moreover," as Calvin does, it would be better to regard the participle eidotes, as having the meaning of an imperative, este being understood, several instances of which we have in the preceding chapter, Romans 12:9,16,17. He says that the night had advanced, because we are not so overwhelmed with thick darkness as the unbelieving are, to whom no spark of life appears; but the hope of resurrection is placed by the gospel before our eyes; yea, the light of faith, by which we discover that the full brightness of celestial glory is nigh at hand, ought to stimulate us, so that we may not grow torpid on the earth. [409] The preceding explanation of night and day, as here to be understood, does not comport with what is afterwards said on Romans 13:12. For nearer is now our salvation, etc. The Author. 13:11-12): “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. His purpose was in various ways to exhort us, -- at one time to meditate on our future life; at another, to contemplate the present favor of God. Romans 13:11, NLT: "This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. The book of Romans is written by Paul from Corinth, while on his third missionary journey, in about 57 A.D. [His host is Gaius (Romans 16:23), an early convert in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14) and he commends to the Romans Phoebe from Cenchrea, a neighboring city of Corinth (Romans 16:1). 1. It Is High Time We Surrendered Absolutely! You are hastening to the world of glory. Now we walk in the light of the gospel. The "previous" time had been a period of ignorance and darkness, when oppression, and falsehood, and sin abounded. Than when we believed - Than when we "began" to believe. 12. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. for now is our salvation—rather, "the salvation," or simply "salvation.". 13. Returning from Arabia he visited Jerusalem and Damascus, and then went to Cilicia, where he doubtless did evangelistic work until Barnabas sough… The word for “time” is different from that used in the next clause, and means a definite and critical season. If we adopt "I command," or "moreover," as Calvin does, it would be better to regard the participle eidotes, as having the meaning of an imperative, este being understood, several instances of which we have in the preceding chapter, Romans 12:9,16,17. Romans 3:20. Paul dictated his letter to Tertius (Romans 16:22). 12. But the whole tenor of what follows by no means favors this view. Referring to the injunction of Romans 13:8. The Sun of righteousness has arisen. (Rom 13:1-2) Government's legitimate authority and the Christian's response. The whole passage would then read better in this manner, -- 11. Then this declaration could not have been suitable to the Romans. Teaching Pastor Robb Oram teaches this week's sermon on the Christ-follower's proper interaction with society. We are sure that the God of light is around us, and is a witness of all we do. As long as we carry about us our flesh, we cannot cast away every care for it; for though our conversation is in heaven, we yet sojourn on earth. -- Ed. Many refer the word believed to the time of the law, as though Paul had said, that the Jews believed before Christ came; which view I reject as unnatural and strained; and surely to confine a general truth to a small part of the Church, would have been wholly inconsistent. It is in this way that we shall use this world without abusing it. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies, and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to us who sat in darkness and in the region of the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. 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. The reference is apparently to the Lord's second coming, rather than to future glory. Romans 13 is a very hard passage to wrap one's brain around. Knowing, seeing that ye know. Indeed in no other sense can what is said here of night and day be appropriate. The subject is wholly different. Nox progressa est, dies vero appropinquavit: abjiciamus ergo opera tenebrarum, et induamus arma lucis. Revelling is first mentioned, though drunkenness goes before it; and "chambering," or concubinage, or indulgence in unlawful lusts is first stated, though lasciviousness or wantonness is the source from which it proceeds. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. The humiliation of the cross was still a stumbling-block to them taken alone, but falling back upon another portion of their beliefs, they looked to see it supplemented, and its shameful side cancelled, by a second coming “in power and great glory.” Their previous expectations, vague as they were, led them to regard this as part of the one manifestation of the Messiah, and they did not expect to see a long interval of time interposed. Even heathens have said, that a few things suffice nature, but that the appetites of men are insatiable. Salvation here, as in Romans 8:24, and in 1 Peter 1:9, means salvation made complete and perfect, the full employment of all its blessings. Revelling is first mentioned, though drunkenness goes before it; and "chambering," or concubinage, or indulgence in unlawful lusts is first stated, though lasciviousness or wantonness is the source from which it proceeds. So says the apostle. This is to be understood, not of the dead sleep of sin, in which unconverted persons are, to be awoke out of which is a work of divine power; but of the carnal security and drowsy frame of spirit which sometimes attend the churches and children of God, the wise as well as the foolish virgins; and lies in grace being dormant in, the soul; in a backwardness to duty, and a slothfulness in the performance of it; in resting in the outward duties of religion; in lukewarmness about the cause of Christ; in an unconcernedness about sins of omission and commission; and in a willingness to continue in such a sluggish frame: all which arise from a body of sin and death, and an over anxious care for the things of the world; from a weariness in spiritual exercises, and an abstinence from spiritual company and ordinances and from outward peace and liberty: such a frame of spirit, when, it prevails and becomes general is of bad consequence to the churches of Christ; the spirit of discerning, care and diligence in receiving members, are in a great measure lost, and so they are filled with hypocrites and heretics; Christ absents himself from them; leanness of soul is brought upon them; and they are in danger of being surprised with the midnight cry: the methods God takes to awaken his people out of such a sleep are various; sometimes in a more gentle way, by the discoveries his love, which causes the lips of those that are asleep to speak; sometimes by severe reproofs in the ministry of the word; and sometimes by sharp persecutions in providence; and at last it will be done by the midnight cry: the argument, showing the reasonableness of awaking out of sleep, and that it was high time to do so, follows. 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