This, the time of the "gospel," when God had "made known" to people his will that they should be pure. Living in the light of the coming of the day (13:11-14) Instructions for the ‘weak’ and the ‘strong’ (14:1-15:13) Paul’s ministry and future plans (15:14-33) Conclusion (16:1-27) Ben Witherington (Socio-Rhetorical Commentary) Witherington takes a distinct approach by reading the letter through the lens of … It can guide us, teach us, and tell us about God’s character. He says that one of the first signs of the approaching collapse is the breakdown of law and order since civilization consists of law and order. Paul wrote it during his stay in Corinth, probably about 57 *A.D.. 2. Than when we believed - Than when we "began" to believe. The reason for writing the book of Romans was to share the gospel and teach that our righteousness comes by faith in Jesus Christ apart from what we can do to earn it. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Paul uses the term in the broadest possible sense to speak of all kinds of taxes. [411], 14. Many refer the word believed to the time of the law, as though Paul had said, that the Jews believed before Christ came; which view I reject as unnatural and strained; and surely to confine a general truth to a small part of the Church, would have been wholly inconsistent. Romans 13 is a very hard passage to wrap one's brain around. Calvin keeps to what accords with the context, the putting on of Christ as to his holy image. Others, to increased "light" and knowledge of the gospel, so that they could more clearly discern their duty than when they became believers. Because of this, we are in a critical hour to recognize reality. Referring to the injunction of Romans 13:8. The subject is wholly different. Romans 13:11 Commentaries: Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. that now it is high time for us to awake out of sleep; since sleep is for the night, and not the day; the Alexandrian copy reads, "for you". And the sleep mentioned here is not the sleep of ignorance and unbelief, but the sleep, the torpor, or inactivity of Christians. His purpose was in various ways to exhort us, -- at one time to meditate on our future life; at another, to contemplate the present favor of God. (Rom 13:1-2) Government's legitimate authority and the Christian's response. 12. Note the flow of thought (Rom. This was in strict accordance with Mark 13:32, and resulted naturally from the peculiar form of the Jewish Messianic expectation. In response to the breakdown all around us and to the call of our God, let Christians around the world confess that it is high time that we come back to victorious living and triumphant evangelism. In the darkness of night, people sleep. This is to be understood, not of the dead sleep of sin, in which unconverted persons are, to be awoke out of which is a work of divine power; but of the carnal security and drowsy frame of spirit which sometimes attend the churches and children of God, the wise as well as the foolish virgins; and lies in grace being dormant in, the soul; in a backwardness to duty, and a slothfulness in the performance of it; in resting in the outward duties of religion; in lukewarmness about the cause of Christ; in an unconcernedness about sins of omission and commission; and in a willingness to continue in such a sluggish frame: all which arise from a body of sin and death, and an over anxious care for the things of the world; from a weariness in spiritual exercises, and an abstinence from spiritual company and ordinances and from outward peace and liberty: such a frame of spirit, when, it prevails and becomes general is of bad consequence to the churches of Christ; the spirit of discerning, care and diligence in receiving members, are in a great measure lost, and so they are filled with hypocrites and heretics; Christ absents himself from them; leanness of soul is brought upon them; and they are in danger of being surprised with the midnight cry: the methods God takes to awaken his people out of such a sleep are various; sometimes in a more gentle way, by the discoveries his love, which causes the lips of those that are asleep to speak; sometimes by severe reproofs in the ministry of the word; and sometimes by sharp persecutions in providence; and at last it will be done by the midnight cry: the argument, showing the reasonableness of awaking out of sleep, and that it was high time to do so, follows. Paul admonishes believers to be aware that the return of the Lord is approaching 13:11. When we believed.—When we first became Christians. Teaching Pastor Robb Oram teaches this week's sermon on the Christ-follower's proper interaction with society. Revelling is first mentioned, though drunkenness goes before it; and "chambering," or concubinage, or indulgence in unlawful lusts is first stated, though lasciviousness or wantonness is the source from which it proceeds. For Paul had in view the end of our calling; inasmuch as God, by adopting us, unites us to the body of his only-begotten Son, and for this purpose, -- that we, renouncing our former life, may become new men in him. Knowing, seeing that ye know. It is an example of the Apostle's mode of writing similar to what we find in Romans 11:29, as to "the gifts and calling of God," and in verse 33, as to "the wisdom and knowledge of God." If we adopt "I command," or "moreover," as Calvin does, it would be better to regard the participle eidotes, as having the meaning of an imperative, este being understood, several instances of which we have in the preceding chapter, Romans 12:9,16,17. [411] The case is the same with the two preceding instances; the vice which seems to follow is placed first. II. The things then which belong to the body must be taken care of, but not otherwise than as they are helps to us in our pilgrimage, and not that they may make us to forget our country. Paul dictated his letter to Tertius (Romans 16:22). But we, who always stand in the sight of God and of angels, and whom Christ, the true sun of righteousness, invites to his presence, we indeed ought to be much more careful to beware of every kind of pollution. Romans 13:11-14 The Sin of Sloth (Bowen) Dorothy Sayers, the English mystery writer says, “In the world it is called tolerance, but in hell it is called despair. Paul, setting a bridle on our desires, reminds us, that the cause of all intemperance is, that no one is content with a moderate or lawful use of things: he has therefore laid down this rule, -- that we are to provide for the wants of our flesh, but not to indulge its lusts. Every hour brings the expected end nearer. Others, however, and better, as Rev., construe ἡμῶν of us (salvation of us, i.e., our) with nearer, and render salvation is nearer to us. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. So says the apostle. Romans 8:1 tells us we are free from the guilt of sin. Indeed in no other sense can what is said here of night and day be appropriate. Romans 13:11, CSB : "Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." The whole passage would then read better in this manner, -- 11. A great shock had been given to the disciples by the crucifixion of Him whom they thought to be the Messiah, and though they began to recover from this as soon as they were convinced of His resurrection, they yet could not reconcile themselves to it entirely. Moreover, etc. Sin came into the world through one man (Adam) and spread to many, so also the gift of grace came through one man (Jesus) and abounds unto many. Of that whole assembly to which he wrote, how few were Jews? Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Romans 5:1-11. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. WELCOME. (Rosenmuller.) Stream ad-free or purchase CD's and MP3s now on Amazon.com. 11. Daily we are approaching the kingdom of light; and in prospect of that state, we ought to lay aside every sin, and live more and more in preparation for a world of light and glory.". At that time it was to be expected that they would sleep the sleep of spiritual death. The Author. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. This passage is in various ways perverted by interpreters. This is in addition to the putting him on as our righteousness, and not as a substitute for it. It is the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing. But the particles at the beginning, And this, are to be read by themselves, for they are connected with what is gone before; as we say in Latin Adhoec -- besides, or proeterea -- moreover. We are going soon to meet him, and it becomes us to rouse, and to do those deeds, and those only, which will bear the bright shining of the light of truth, and the scrutiny of him who is "light, and in whom is no darkness at all;" 1 John 1:5. For no man can plead that he has fulfilled all his obligations to God and to his neighbour; nor can any truly say that he has fully acted up to the light afforded him. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. This is the season which he had just mentioned; for as the faithful are not as yet received into full light, he very fitly compares to the dawn the knowledge of future life, which shines on us through the gospel: for day is not put here, as in other places, for the light of faith, (otherwise he could not have said that it was only approaching, but that it was present, for it now shines as it were in the middle of its progress,) but for that glorious brightness of the celestial life, the beginnings of which are now seen through the gospel. [412] Many have explained "the putting on" here in a manner wholly inconsistent with the passage, as though the putting on of Christ's righteousness was intended. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. However, it is sadly and often true that believers are in a spiritual state of slumber and drowsiness, and because of this God must send forth a wake up call. For nearer is now our salvation, etc. Paul established churches in many cities. -- Ed. 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. He had known about him, but had never surrendered to him. Rev., season. Therefore let us lay aside the … The powerful challenge of Romans 13 refers all the way back to the admonitions that begin in chapter 12. People, by nature, are active only in deeds of wickedness. We know our duty. As believers in Jesus Christ we are not to be found sleeping. The dawn of day, the approaching light of the morning, is the time to arouse from slumber. Calvin keeps to what accords with the context, the putting on of Christ as to his holy image. D. Paul stresses an urgency righteous living 13:11-14. [412] Many have explained "the putting on" here in a manner wholly inconsistent with the passage, as though the putting on of Christ's righteousness was intended. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies, and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. VERSE-BY-VERSE COMMENTARY with Dr. Grant C. Richison exposes the mind of God to the mind of man by expounding individual books of God’s Word verse-by-verse.. Each study expounds a passage, forms a principle out of that passage, and shows how to apply that principle to your life. -- Ed. Sanctification, and not justification, is the subject of the passage. But he was careful not to upset anyone else’s work (Romans 15:20). The distinction between night and day of a Christian, ought to be clearly kept in view. It probably, however, has its usual meaning here, denoting that deliverance from sin and danger which awaits Christians in heaven; and is thus equivalent to the expression, "You are advancing nearer to heaven. [410]. You are hastening to the world of glory. This is favored by the order of the Greek words. Sleep - Inactivity; insensibility to the doctrines and duties of religion. The intervening words are to be read as in a parenthesis. 13. The book of Romans is written by Paul from Corinth, while on his third missionary journey, in about 57 A.D. [His host is Gaius (Romans 16:23), an early convert in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14) and he commends to the Romans Phoebe from Cenchrea, a neighboring city of Corinth (Romans 16:1). 11. just at their Father's house, ready to enter into the joy of their Lord, into his everlasting kingdom and glory, and yet asleep! (Read Romans 1:18-25) The apostle begins to show that all mankind need the salvation of the gospel, because none could obtain the favour of God, or escape his wrath by their own works. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ... (Romans 13:13-14a NIV) Augustine said that at that moment he opened his life to Christ. Our salvation.—That blissful participation in His kingdom which the Messiah at His Second Coming should inaugurate for His people. It is evidently a new subject of exhortation, as Calvin says, and the words must be rendered as he proposes, or be viewed as elliptical; the word "I say," or "I command," according to Macknight, being understood, "This also I say, since we know the time," etc. But now the morning light of the gospel dawns. The same idea is beautifully presented in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8. For as the adverb here used is in its import indefinite, this meaning is much the most suitable, as it is evident from what follows. Together, Romans 3:20 and Romans 4:15 produce a general principle that covers, not just biblical morality, but also secular. The night has advanced, and the day, etc. Both are necessary: for Christ is our sanctification, the author, worker, and example of it, as well as our righteousness. Romans 8:19; Romans 8:23, “the manifestation of the sons of God,” “the redemption of the body;” Luke 21:28, “your redemption draweth nigh.”). Romans 5:12-19. This is in addition to the putting him on as our righteousness, and not as a substitute for it. Commentary on Romans 13:11-14 (Read Romans 13:11-14) Four things are here taught, as a Christian's directory for his day's work. knowing the time, that now it is high time—literally, "the hour has already come.". St. Paul, like the other Apostles (comp. Check out Romans 13:11-14 Children of the light by David Guthrie on Amazon Music. no doubt but that Paul intended to remind us, that strifes and contests arise from this fountain; for when any one seeks to excel, there is envying of one another; but ambition is the source of both evils. But the whole tenor of what follows by no means favors this view. It is "time," therefore, for people to cast off the deeds of darkness, and rise to life, and purity, and action; compare Acts 17:30-31. 3475 Mainway PO Box 5070, STN LCD 1 Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8. 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