Romans 13 13

Romans 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.

Romans 13:13 nkjv

Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Romans 13:13 niv

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Romans 13:13 esv

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Romans 13:13 nlt

Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.

Romans 13 verses

Romans 13 13 Meaning

Romans 13:13 is an urgent exhortation for believers to live lives of ethical integrity and moral purity, as befits those who belong to the "day" of salvation in Christ. It contrasts this honorable Christian conduct with the "works of darkness," specifically identifying three categories of sins to be abandoned: wild partying and excessive drinking, illicit sexual activities and wanton behaviors, and destructive interpersonal conflicts fueled by envy. This call is rooted in the recognition of God's imminent salvation and the urgency of the times.

Romans 13 13 Context

Romans 13:13 falls within a broader section (12:1-15:13) where Paul moves from theological exposition (ch. 1-11) to practical Christian living, specifically addressing believers in Rome. The immediate context of chapter 13 begins with instructions on submitting to governing authorities (vv. 1-7) and the preeminent command to love one's neighbor (vv. 8-10), presenting love as the fulfillment of the Law. Verse 11, "Besides this, you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed," marks a shift, introducing an eschatological urgency that undergirds the call to ethical conduct. Paul implores believers to shed the "deeds of darkness" (v. 12) characteristic of the unredeemed world and "put on the armor of light," leading directly into the specific prohibitions of verse 13. Historically, the Roman Empire was characterized by public immorality and a blend of pagan cults that often included ecstatic rituals, drunkenness, and sexual license, against which Christian morality provided a sharp contrast.

Romans 13 13 Word analysis

• Let us walk (περιπατήσωμεν - peripatēsōmen): This is an imperative in the subjunctive mood, expressing a strong exhortation or command for collective action. Peripateō literally means "to walk around," but figuratively and frequently in the New Testament, it refers to one's conduct, manner of life, or spiritual journey. It signifies a continuous, deliberate way of living.
• properly (εὐσχημόνως - euskhēmonōs): An adverb derived from euskhēmōn, meaning "well-formed," "decent," or "honorable." It denotes behaving in a becoming, dignified, and respectable manner, fitting for the presence of others and in line with God's standards. It suggests decorum and good repute.
• as in the daytime (ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ - hōs en hēmera): "As in day." This phrase acts as both a standard and a metaphor. "Day" symbolizes light, truth, open sight, and divine revelation, contrasting with "night" which represents sin, secrecy, ignorance, and the present fallen age. Living "as in the daytime" means living openly, honestly, and in a manner consistent with God's moral order, prepared for Christ's return or final judgment.
• not in (μὴ - mē): A prohibitive particle, used to negate the following items and emphasize what is not to be done, clearly separating Christian conduct from pagan practices.

Words-group analysis:

• orgies (κῶμος - kōmos) and drunkenness (μέθαις - methais): These are specific practices common in Greco-Roman society, particularly in pagan festivals (like Bacchic rites) and wild banquets.
  • Orgies: Refers to riotous partying, revelry, often accompanied by excessive food and drink, lewd behavior, and a lack of self-control.
  • Drunkenness: Denotes not just a single act of intoxication, but habitual excessive drinking and its associated debauchery. These vices diminish self-awareness and self-control, opening the door to further sins.
• sexual immorality (κοίταις - koitais) and sensuality (ἀσελγείαις - aselgeiais): This pair focuses on illicit sexual behaviors and immodesty.
  • Sexual immorality (κοίτη - koitē): Literally "bed," but used idiomatically here (often in plural) for unlawful sexual relations, illicit couplings, and promiscuity.
  • Sensuality (ἀσέλγεια - aselgeia): Often translated as licentiousness, wantonness, or debauchery. It refers to a lack of moral restraint, a disregard for public decency or reputation, and indulgence in all forms of lust without shame or concern for God's law. It's often characterized by public, defiant sinfulness.
• quarreling (ἔριδι - eridi) and jealousy (ζήλῳ - zēlō): These pertain to interpersonal conflicts and destructive attitudes.
  • Quarreling (ἔρις - eris): Strife, contention, discord, disputes. It refers to hostility and rivalry among people.
  • Jealousy (ζῆλος - zēlos): While "zeal" can be positive, here in a list of vices, it means bitter envy, resentful rivalry, or contentious eagerness to assert oneself, often leading to strife and division within a community. It represents an inward negative emotion that often manifests in outward conflict.

Romans 13 13 Bonus section

The injunction in Romans 13:13 is not an exhaustive list of all sins but represents a strategic selection of prominent "works of darkness" that illustrate the ungodly lifestyle. It groups sins into categories relating to bodily appetites, sexual impropriety, and interpersonal relationships. This selection highlights the pervasive influence of the Roman cultural milieu on the early Christian community and provides specific counter-cultural guidance. Furthermore, the phrasing "not in" (μὴ) implies a deliberate and active rejection of these practices, demanding a conscious moral decision. This verse strongly aligns with the concept of sanctification, the ongoing process of being made holy and becoming more like Christ, by actively shedding the old self and embracing the new life in the Spirit. The entire command emphasizes the present reality of the spiritual battle, where believers must proactively resist temptations by embracing their identity in Christ.

Romans 13 13 Commentary

Romans 13:13 serves as a pivotal ethical instruction for the early church and for believers today, directly following Paul's urgent call to spiritual awakening. The command to "walk properly as in the daytime" summarizes the Christian’s ethical imperative: to live a life characterized by integrity, moral uprightness, and spiritual discernment, visible and honorable, consistent with God's character and their identity as children of light. This isn't merely a private spirituality but a public witness to their transformed nature.

The verse then lists three distinct categories of "deeds of darkness" that are incompatible with this walk, painting a vivid picture of pagan lifestyle choices and inner corruptions common in the Roman world. The first pair, "orgies and drunkenness," addresses intemperate indulgence and lack of self-control, behaviors that erode personal dignity and spiritual sensitivity. The second, "sexual immorality and sensuality," condemns all forms of illicit sexual activity and an unbridled, shameless pursuit of physical gratification, highlighting the sacredness of human sexuality as designed by God. The final pair, "quarreling and jealousy," confronts the internal dispositions and external conflicts that undermine community harmony and personal peace, born out of selfish ambition and covetousness rather than love.

Together, these prohibitions form a comprehensive warning against common temptations that challenge the ethical boundaries of believers. Paul is calling for a radical break from the world's destructive patterns and an active embodiment of Christ's character, grounded in the immediate reality of God's present salvation and the anticipation of His return. This daily commitment to godliness and self-control is presented not as burdensome legalism, but as the natural outflow of those who have embraced the "day" and are putting on "the Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14).

• Practical Example: A believer choosing to attend a Bible study on a Friday night instead of a party known for heavy drinking and immoral conduct demonstrates walking properly "as in the daytime."
• Practical Example: Refraining from spreading gossip or engaging in heated arguments on social media, even when provoked, reflects an abandonment of "quarreling and jealousy."