Romans 13:11-14

Text

Romans 13:11-14. And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Romans 13:13 Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 13:11-14

560.

We can indeed know the times and the seasons in one particular. What is it?

561.

In what sense is salvation nearer today than when we first believed?

562.

The eternal morning is about to dawn. Cast off the works of darkness. Would the Christians in Rome be involved in such things? Why does Paul give the command?

563.

What a glorious expression: Armor of light. Explain its appropriateness.

564.

If you are looking for prohibitions against many of the popular sins of our day, you will find them in Romans 13:13. The incentive for laying such aside is there. What is it?

565.

Do a little research on the meaning of chambering and wantonness.

566.

Please notice that the sins of strife and jealousy are also works of darkness. What are the indications of strife and jealousy?

567.

Is it possible to make no provision for the flesh? The word put ye on is a theatrical word referring to getting into character. How does it apply to us?

Paraphrase

Romans 13:11-14. This also I command: Form a better judgment of the present season, that it is already the hour for us to awake out of that sleep into which the sensual practices of heathenism have cast us; for now the doctrine of salvation, the gospel, is better understood by us than when we first believed.

Romans 13:12 The night of heathenish ignorance is drawing to a conclusion, and the day of gospel light is about to shine with meridian splendor in all countries. Let us, therefore, who know this, put off the works of darkness which we used to perform in honor of idols, and let us put on the armor proper for the day of the gospel.

Romans 13:13 Let us walk about decently habited (dressed) as becometh those who walk in the day, not employing ourselves, like the idolatrous Gentiles, in revellings and in drinking to excess; not in lying with harlots, and in lasciviousness, whether in action, discourse, or dress; nor in quarrelling about riches, or honors, or opinions, and in envying the prosperity of others.

Romans 13:14 But be ye clothed with the dispositions of the Lord Jesus Christ; his piety, temperance, purity, charity; in short, his whole character; and, like him, make no provision for gratifying the lusts of the flesh.

Summary

It is now time for us to awake from the sleep of the old unregenerate night through which we have been passing, and to do our whole duty in everything. The reason is that the day of salvation will soon be upon us, and for it we must be ready. All our former evil deeds must be utterly abandoned, and the new life in Christ fully assumed. Henceforth we must live for the Savior, not for the flesh.

Comment
The Fact of Salvation Before Us Helps to Enforce These Duties.

Romans 13:11-14.

We all need an incentive to prompt us to obey. God has surely supplied such. If the eyes of our understanding were enlightened, we should see how near we live to eternity. We can patiently endure hardship and tribulation when we see Heaven just ahead. Each day brings us one day closer to our eternal home. Could it be that some of the saints in Rome were sleepy? The night of life is nearly over; the morning of eternity is already streaking the eastern sky. Wake up! Dress up! Go to work! (We are all working on a night shift.)

We are preparing for another time and place of work, in the Father's house. To enter here we must have on the armor of light. We cannot have on the panoply of God's soldier, and the clothes of darkness at the same time. To quote Moses E. Lard on Romans 13:13 a:

The komos was a sort of carousal in which a number of persons participated, and which commonly ended by the whole party parading the streets with music, songs, and dancing, It was simply a noisy drunken frolic. The komoi were very common among the idolatrous Gentiles, particularly among the devotees of Bacchus. (Romans, pp. 408, 40a)

How could it be said that some Christians were involved in such sins as prostitution and lewdness? In Rome such was the rule among the populace. Many of the saints in the Roman church had once walked in these things. The strong desire to yet practice them was with many. Paul bluntly states that such things cannot be practiced if we are to walk in the light of the eternal day.

The marvelous solution to the whole problem of returning to the old life is found in Romans 13:14. The expression, put ye on, can have reference to the theater. Actors and actresses put on the character they attempt to portray. It is sometimes called getting into the character. The true actor literally becomes another person. We are not play-actingthis is realbut we are to become the living representation of the Lord Jesus. How shall we do this if we do not know the script? We have a copy of itthe New Testamentin which is found the eyewitness account of our Lord by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Many actors and actresses memorize as much script copy as is in the New Testament to portray one of the prostitutes or drunkards spoken of in Romans 13:13. We can become another man, another woman, by the transformation of our minds. Christ is then formed within us. It is no longer I that live

Rethinking in Outline Form

4.

Duties to the Civil Government. Romans 13:1-7 cf. Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Matthew 22:17-21; 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

a.

Law and order ordained of God. Romans 13:1.

b.

Law and order a terror to the evil, but a blessing to good. Romans 13:3-4.

c.

To be in subjection because of wrath and conscience. Romans 13:5.

d.

Tribute, dues, custom, fear, honor. Romans 13:6-7.

5.

Duties of Love to All Men. Romans 13:8-10.

a.

Owe no man anything. Romans 13:8 a.

This no doubt refers back to the taxes and dues of the preceding verses.

b.

Love your neighbor and you fulfill the law. Romans 13:8 b - Romans 13:10.

6.

The Fact of Salvation Before Us Helps to Enforce These Duties. Romans 13:11-14.

a.

Eternal salvation nearer each day. Romans 13:11 cf. James 5:8; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:8-11; Ephesians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

b.

Cast off darkness and put on armor of light. Romans 13:12 cf. Ephesians 5:11; Ephesians 6:11-17.

c.

To walk becomingly. Romans 13:13 cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:12; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Timothy 2:23-24; 1 Timothy 6:3-5.

d.

To put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 13:14 cf. Galatians 3:2); Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:9-10; Galatians 5:16-24; 1 Peter 2:11.

350.

What wonderful incentive for obedience has God given us?

351.

In what sense are we all working on a night shift?

352.

What is the preparation necessary for working in the Father's house?

353.

Explain the meaning of the expression put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.