Romans 13:12

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

The night is advanced, and the day has drawn near; therefore let us lay aside the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Latin

Nox præcessit, dies autem appropinquavit. Abjiciamus ergo opera tenebrarum, et induamur arma lucis.

Original

Greek

English

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.

Notes

Romans 13:12–13

the day has drawn near: The word day comes from two sources:

First, the Old Testament repeatedly predicts the Day of the LORD. This is the time when God brings his plan to its completion (see Isaiah 13:4–13; Jeremiah 3:18; 30:8–9; Joel 2:1–32; Obadiah 1:15–18).
Second, moral teaching in the ancient world often used day and light to represent what is good. Night and darkness represented what is evil. Greeks, Romans, and Jews all used this contrast.
Because believers belong to the day, they should live according to its values. This means avoiding the dark actions that are associated with nighttime.

Romans 12:1–15:13

This section of Romans explains the moral and ethical demands of the gospel. God’s gift of salvation in Christ calls for a response from believers.

God not only forgives sin. He also wants to transform how people live.

Much of what Paul teaches here about the moral duties of believers also appears in his other letters. However, Paul also addresses issues that were especially important for the church in Rome. One key issue was the disagreement between people who were weak in faith and people who were strong in faith(14:1–15:13).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul)

Related verses

Ezekiel 18:31–32
Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?
Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
2 Corinthians 6:7
…in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
Colossians 3:8–17
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
James 1:21
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
Ephesians 6:11–18
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 4:22
…to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
Romans 13:14
Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Isaiah 30:22
So you will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away like menstrual cloths, saying to them, “Be gone!”
1 Thessalonians 5:5–8
For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
John 3:19–21
And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil.
1 John 2:8–9
Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Book of Ecclesiastes Haggai, Book of Last Days Letter to the Romans Night Second Coming of Christ Timothy, First Letter to

Topics

Armor: Figurative Being Proud Celebrating Halloween Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Darkness of Spiritual Blindness Early Rising: Illustrates Spiritual Diligence Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning Living in the Past Military Arms: Spiritual Armour New Year Night used Figuratively Night: Spiritual Darkness Rising: Early: Illustrates Spiritual Diligence The Roman Empire: Allusions to Military Affairs of Use of the Panoply or Defensive Armour The Second Coming of Christ: should be Always Considered As at Hand War: Called |The Armor of Light| War: Must be Put on Warfare of Saints: Armour For: Called Armour of Light Warfare of Saints: Armour For: Must be Put On

Romans 13:12

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