Romans 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.
Romans 13:12 nkjv
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:12 niv
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:12 esv
The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:12 nlt
The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.
Romans 13 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 5:8-9 | For you were formerly darkness, but now are light ... walk as children of light. | Christian identity in light |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | ... that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. | Called from darkness to light |
| 1 Thes 5:4-8 | For you are all children of light and children of the day... So then let us not sleep. | Children of light, readiness |
| Jn 3:19-21 | Men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. | Darkness associated with evil |
| 1 Jn 1:5-7 | God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we walk in the Light... | God's nature and walking in Him |
| Isa 5:20 | Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness. | Distorted moral perception |
| Pro 4:18-19 | The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn ... but the way of the wicked is like deep darkness. | Contrasting paths, light & darkness |
| Eph 4:22-24 | Lay aside the old self... and put on the new self. | Metaphor of casting off/putting on |
| Col 3:8-10 | But now you yourselves are to put off all these... and put on the new self. | Similar call to divest sin, adopt new self |
| Gal 3:27 | For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. | Clothed with Christ, identity |
| 1 Pet 2:1 | Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit... | Call to lay aside sin |
| Eph 6:11-17 | Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. | Spiritual armor described |
| 2 Cor 10:4 | For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. | Spiritual nature of Christian 'warfare' |
| 1 Thes 5:1-3 | Now as to the times and the epochs... for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come. | Urgency of Lord's Day |
| Jam 5:8 | You also be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the presence of the Lord is near. | Lord's coming is near |
| Phil 4:5 | Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. | Gentle spirit in light of proximity |
| 1 Jn 2:18 | Children, it is the last hour. | Eschatological urgency, end times |
| Lk 12:35-37 | Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. | Be prepared for the Master's return |
| Mt 24:42-44 | Be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. | Need for constant watchfulness |
| Rev 22:12 | "Behold, I am coming quickly..." | Christ's promise of swift return |
| 2 Cor 6:14 | For what partnership does righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? | Separation from darkness |
Romans 13 verses
Romans 13 12 Meaning
Romans 13:12 conveys an urgent call for believers to awaken to the reality of salvation's nearer completion, signifying the approaching "Day" of Christ's full revelation. Therefore, it commands them to discard immoral and spiritually dark practices and instead embrace righteous conduct, symbolizing the protective and revealing qualities of God's light. It emphasizes a transformative lifestyle, distinct from worldly ways, motivated by the imminence of the Lord's return.
Romans 13 12 Context
Romans chapter 13 transitions from explaining the believer's duties toward governing authorities (v. 1-7) and fulfilling the law through love for one's neighbor (v. 8-10) to a deeply urgent appeal for a transformed lifestyle. Verses 11-14 specifically ground this ethical transformation in the imminence of Christ's return and the reality of salvation. This verse (v. 12) marks a pivotal point, providing the eschatological motivation for the practical exhortations that follow. Historically, Paul's audience in Rome included both Jewish and Gentile converts, navigating a complex social landscape often characterized by pagan idolatry, immorality, and self-indulgence. Paul directly addresses their need for a distinct Christian identity and behavior in anticipation of the "Day."
Romans 13 12 Word analysis
- The night (Ἡ νύξ - Hē nyx): Refers metaphorically to the present evil age, characterized by ignorance of God, sin, moral decay, and spiritual darkness. It encompasses the time of separation from God's full revelation.
- is far gone (προέκοψεν - proekopsen): From prokopto, meaning "to cut forward," "to advance," or "to make progress." Here, it signifies that a significant portion of the metaphorical "night" has passed; its end is approaching. It indicates a temporal advancement, a clear sign of urgency.
- the day (ἡ ἡμέρα - hē hēmera): Refers to the "Day of the Lord," the eschatological era of salvation, glory, and Christ's full manifestation. This "Day" is associated with light, truth, and ultimate redemption. It encompasses the return of Christ and the complete ushering in of God's Kingdom.
- is at hand (ἤγγικεν - ēggiken): From engizō, meaning "to draw near," "to approach," or "to be close." This highlights the imminence of "the day," emphasizing that salvation, in its complete sense (final deliverance, resurrection, glorification), is closer than when they first believed. This fosters urgency, not for idleness, but for preparedness.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- So then let us cast off (ἀποθώμεθα - apothōmetha): An exhortation, a call to active, deliberate disengagement. From apotithemi, "to lay aside," "to put off," "to renounce." It's a definitive act of discarding, as one would shed dirty clothing. This is a choice and a responsibility for believers.
- the works of darkness (τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους - ta erga tou skotous): Refers to actions, deeds, and behaviors that belong to, are characteristic of, or are enabled by spiritual darkness. These include all forms of immorality, spiritual blindness, ignorance of God's truth, and practices aligned with the unregenerate world. In the broader context of Romans 13:13, it explicitly refers to carousing, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, strife, and envy.
- and put on (ἐνδυσώμεθα - endusōmetha): From enduō, meaning "to clothe oneself with," "to assume," or "to put on." This is also an active, deliberate choice. It's the counterpart to "casting off," signifying the adoption of a new way of living, like dressing oneself in a new, appropriate attire. It implies an identity transformation.
- the armor of light (τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός - ta hopla tou phōtos): "Armor" (hopla) refers to military equipment, weapons, and protective gear. Here, it is metaphorical, representing spiritual preparedness, protective righteous living, and offensive truth. "Of light" means this armor is characterized by, comes from, and enables walking in truth, purity, and holiness, radiating God's nature. It enables believers to stand firm against spiritual evil and live distinctly for God, actively revealing His character in a dark world.
Romans 13 12 Bonus section
The metaphor of "night" and "day" has deep roots in both Jewish eschatological expectations (the "Day of the Lord" bringing judgment and salvation) and Christian understanding of the progressive revelation of God's plan. Paul views salvation not just as an initial event but as a dynamic process reaching its completion, with each passing moment bringing believers closer to the ultimate "day" of glorification. The urgency implied is not for panic, but for deliberate, ethical living that aligns with their new identity in Christ. The concept of "armor" signifies readiness for spiritual battle, indicating that Christian life in this "night" requires active engagement against spiritual forces of darkness, not passive waiting. The "armor of light" also implies transparency and openness, as light reveals what is true and good, leaving no place for hidden sins.
Romans 13 12 Commentary
Romans 13:12 encapsulates the Christian urgency derived from an eschatological hope. Paul grounds practical morality not in abstract principles but in the concrete, approaching reality of Christ's return and the full dawning of His Kingdom. The passage's "night" signifies the current era dominated by sin, contrasting with the "Day," which represents the consummation of salvation, already drawing near. This awareness compels a definitive transformation: "casting off" the deeds born of moral and spiritual darkness, such as carousing or sexual impurity, and actively "putting on" behaviors characteristic of spiritual "light." This "armor of light" is both defensive, protecting against the temptations and influences of the present age, and offensive, enabling believers to live righteously and make visible the kingdom of God. It's an call to live out one's renewed identity in Christ with sober vigilance and purity, recognizing that every action now is framed by the imminence of His coming.
- Practical usage example: When faced with a choice to engage in a morally questionable activity ("works of darkness"), remembering that "the day is at hand" compels a Christian to "cast off" that deed and instead choose an action that reflects "the armor of light," embodying purity and self-control.