Romans 13 14

Romans 13:14 kjv

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:14 nkjv

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Romans 13:14 niv

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 13:14 esv

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 13:14 nlt

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Romans 13 verses

Romans 13 14 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial ethical exhortation, calling believers to actively embrace the character, attributes, and Lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives. Concurrently, it commands a proactive disengagement from any action or circumstance that might incite or enable the sinful inclinations inherent in human nature (the "flesh"), thereby preventing the gratification of its corrupt desires. It is a dual call: to positive identification with Christ and negative, pre-emptive avoidance of sin.

Romans 13 14 Context

Romans 13:14 provides a concrete and practical conclusion to a broader section of Paul's letter. Chapters 12-15 outline how believers should live out the theological truths presented in chapters 1-11. Specifically, verses 11-14 address the urgency of holy living in light of Christ's imminent return and the advancement of salvation. Paul urges believers to "wake up from slumber" (v.11), recognizing the lateness of the hour. This necessitates casting off "deeds of darkness" (v.12) and "putting on the armor of light" (v.12). Verse 13 provides examples of "deeds of darkness"—reveling, drunkenness, sexual immorality, debauchery, quarreling, and jealousy—and contrasts them with walking "decently, as in the daytime." Verse 14 then serves as the ultimate "how-to," summarizing the positive command to embrace Christ entirely and the negative command to cut off the roots of sinful desires, directly responding to the previous exhortations against worldly behavior. Historically, believers in Rome lived amidst a culture steeped in pagan practices and moral permissiveness, making Paul's call to a distinctively Christian lifestyle a counter-cultural and radical demand for their transformation.

Romans 13 14 Word analysis

• But (Ἀλλὰ - Alla): This conjunction indicates a transition, often a strong contrast. Here, it pivots from the negative commands (putting off works of darkness in v.12, avoiding vices in v.13) to a comprehensive positive command and its vital negative counterpart in v.14. It implies: "Instead of those works of darkness, do this."

• put on (ἐνδύσασθε - endysasthe): A second aorist middle imperative verb. The aorist imperative suggests a decisive, immediate action. The middle voice implies the action is performed by the subject for their own benefit, indicating a self-initiated and personal act. Metaphorically, it refers to "clothing oneself with," suggesting a complete covering, an adoption of identity, character, and demeanor. Just as clothing expresses who a person is or what they represent, "putting on Christ" means to wholly embody His character and virtues, making His life your own. It's an act of deep identification and imitation.

• the Lord Jesus Christ (τὸν Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν - ton Kyrion Iesoun Christon):

  • Lord (Kyrios): Signifies divine authority, sovereignty, and ownership. To put on the Lord means to submit to His rule and acknowledge His supreme power over one's life.
  • Jesus (Iesoun): Refers to His humanity, His historical person, and His salvific work (the name means "God saves"). Putting on Jesus means embracing His example of obedience and sacrifice.
  • Christ (Christon): The Messiah, the Anointed One, the fulfiller of God's redemptive plan. Putting on Christ means living out one's identity as part of His body and His messianic kingdom.
  • Significance: The full title emphasizes that the believer is to fully identify with His deity, humanity, and redemptive purpose. It's a comprehensive identification with all that He is.

• and make no (καὶ μὴ ποιούμενοι - kai mē poioumenoi):

  • and (kai): Connects the positive command with a correlative negative one, highlighting both aspects as essential for holy living.
  • make no (mē poioumenoi): A present participle, modified by the negative particle mē. It prohibits the ongoing act of "making" or "doing." The present tense implies continuous, habitual avoidance. It's not just refraining from sin itself, but from the preparatory steps towards sin.

• provision (πρόνοιαν - pronoian): Derived from pro (before) and noos (mind), meaning "forethought," "providence," "planning," "care for." In this context, it refers to deliberate planning or making arrangements for something. The negative command here means to intentionally avoid creating opportunities or laying groundwork that might lead to sinful acts. It’s about proactive spiritual discipline, not allowing any pre-arranged avenues or excuses for the flesh to manifest its desires.

• for the flesh (τῆς σαρκὸς - tēs sarkos): The genitive indicates the object or beneficiary of the "provision." Here, "flesh" (sarx) is used in its New Testament theological sense, referring not just to the physical body but to humanity's corrupt, sinful nature inherited from the Fall. It is the fallen human disposition, hostile to God, with its carnal inclinations and desires that seek self-gratification apart from God.

• to fulfill (εἰς ἐπιθυμίας - eis epithymias): This phrase literally means "unto lusts" or "with a view to its lusts." The implication is that "making provision" is for the purpose of fulfilling these desires. Thus, "make no provision" means do not create circumstances whose end purpose or natural outcome would be to gratify sinful cravings.

• its lusts (αὐτῆς ἐπιθυμίας - autēs epithymias):

  • its (autēs): Refers back to "the flesh."
  • lusts (epithymias): Strong desires or cravings. While epithymia can be neutral (e.g., a good desire to see someone), in contexts relating to "the flesh," it invariably refers to evil, illicit, or carnal desires. These are the powerful inward inclinations that drive individuals towards sin.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ": This is the positive, overarching command, requiring a full, active, and transformative identification with Jesus in His Person, His work, and His authority. It’s a spiritual wardrobe change, where the entirety of Christ’s being becomes the believer’s covering and identity.
• "and make no provision for the flesh": This phrase represents the active, strategic, and preventative aspect of Christian holiness. It is not merely resisting temptation but consciously avoiding putting oneself in situations, mentally or physically, where sinful nature could be fueled or encouraged. It emphasizes proactive avoidance over reactive struggle.
• "to fulfill its lusts": This final phrase highlights the ultimate purpose of avoiding "provision for the flesh": to starve the sinful desires that arise from our fallen nature, ensuring they are not gratified. It clearly articulates the inherent danger and negative consequence if one does make such provision.

Romans 13 14 Bonus section

The imagery of "putting on" (ἔνδυσασθε) is a powerful and recurrent motif in Paul's writings, not only signifying baptismal union (Gal 3:27) but also describing the ongoing ethical imperative for spiritual transformation (Col 3:12; Eph 4:24). It contrasts sharply with the "stripping off" or "putting away" of sinful practices (Eph 4:22; Col 3:8). The immediate context in Romans 13 (vv.11-13) establishes a vivid light/darkness antithesis, with "putting on Christ" being the ultimate act of aligning oneself with the "light" and the "day," as opposed to the "night" and "works of darkness." This command effectively provides the means for casting off the listed vices of "carousing and drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery, dissension and jealousy" (Rom 13:13) by redirecting the entirety of one's being and strategic efforts toward Christ and away from the inherent pull of the sinful nature. The emphasis on "no provision" also highlights Christian liberty not as an excuse for indulgence (Gal 5:13) but as a call to responsible, sanctified living that intentionally avoids entanglement with worldly desires.

Romans 13 14 Commentary

Romans 13:14 masterfully synthesizes Christian ethics into two essential commands: a decisive act of embodying Christ and a diligent effort to deny the opportunities for sin. "Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ" is more than outward conformity; it's a complete immersion into His character, righteousness, and Lordship, where His virtues become our lived reality. This profound spiritual clothing requires actively identifying with His holiness and purpose. Crucially, this positive act is safeguarded by a parallel negative command: "make no provision for the flesh." This isn't just a call to avoid sin, but to strategically and preemptively starve sinful desires by cutting off their supply lines. It's about self-governance, wisdom, and setting boundaries—choosing not to expose oneself to temptations or create environments where one is prone to stumble. The aim is to dismantle the very pathways that lead to the gratification of corrupt cravings, ensuring that Christ's life, not the flesh's impulses, dominates every aspect of existence. This holistic approach empowers believers to live out their salvation in practical, transforming ways.

Practical usage examples:

• Instead of visiting places or consuming media known to promote worldly lusts, engage in activities that nourish your spirit and mind.
• Consciously structure your time and relationships to prioritize spiritual growth, rather than idly letting circumstances dictate your exposure to temptation.
• Actively choose wholesome entertainment or reading material, rather than giving mental space to anything that would arouse ungodly desires.