Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Romans 13:12 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 13:12	Strong Concordance	The night [3571] is far spent [4298], [1161] the day [2250] is at hand [1448]: let us [659] therefore [3767] cast off [659] the works [2041] of darkness [4655], and [2532] let us put on [1746] the armour [3696] of light [5457].
	King James	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.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
The night--of evil is far spent, the day--of consummated triumph over it is at hand: let us therefore cast off--as a dress the works of darkness--all works holding of the kingdom and period of darkness, with which, as followers of the risen Saviour, our connection has been dissolved. and let us put on the armour of light--described at length in Eph 6:11-18.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

The night--of evil

is far spent, the day--of consummated triumph over it

is at hand: let us therefore cast off--as a dress

the works of darkness--all works holding of the kingdom and period of darkness, with which, as followers of the risen Saviour, our connection has been dissolved.

and let us put on the armour of light--described at length in Eph 6:11-18.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The night - The word "night," in the New Testament, is used to denote "night" literally (Mat 2:14, etc.); the starry heavens Rev 8:12; and then it denotes a state of "ignorance" and "crime," and is synonymous with the word "darkness," as such deeds are committed commonly in the night; Th1 5:5. In this place it seems to denote our present imperfect and obscure condition in this world as contrasted with the pure light of heaven The "night," the time of comparative obscurity and sin in which we live even under the gospel, is far gone in relation to us, and the pure splendors of heaven are at hand, Is far spent - Literally, "is cut off." It is becoming "short;" it is hastening to a close. The day - The full splendors and glory of redemption in heaven. Heaven is often thus represented as a place of pure and splendid day; Rev 21:23, Rev 21:25; Rev 22:5. The times of the "gospel" are represented as times of "light" (Isa 60:1-2; Isa 60:19-20, etc.); but the reference here seems to be rather to the still brighter glory and splendor of heaven, as the place of pure, unclouded, and eternal day. Is at hand - Is near; or is drawing near. This is true respecting all Christians. The day is near, or the time when they shall be admitted to heaven is not remote. This is the uniform representation of the New Testament; Heb 10:25; Pe1 4:7; Jam 5:8; Rev 22:10; Th1 5:2-6; Phi 4:5. That the apostle did not mean, however, that the end of the world was near, or that the day of judgment would come soon, is clear from his own explanations; see Th1 5:2-6; compare 2 Thes. 2. Let us therefore - As we are about to enter on the glories of that eternal day, we should be pure and holy. The "expectation" of it will teach us to "seek" purity; and a pure life alone will fit us to enter there; Heb 12:14. Cast off - Lay aside, or put away. The works of darkness - Dark, wicked deeds, such as are specified in the next verse. They are called "works of darkness," because darkness in the Scriptures is an emblem of crime, as well as of ignorance, and because such deeds are commonly committed in the night; Th1 5:7, "They that be drunken, are drunken in the night;" compare Joh 3:20; Eph 5:11-13. Let us put on - Let us clothe ourselves with. The armour of light - The word "armor" ὅπλα hopla properly means "arms," or instruments of war, including the helmet, sword, shield, etc. Eph 6:11-17. It is used in the New Testament to denote the "aids" which the Christian has, or the "means of defense" in his warfare, where he is represented as a soldier contending with his foes, and includes truth, righteousness, faith, hope, etc. as the instruments by which he is to gain his victories. In Co2 6:7, it is called "the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." It is called armor of light, because it is not to accomplish any deeds of darkness or of crime; it is appropriate to one who is pure, and who is seeking a pure and noble object. Christians are represented as the "children of light;" Th1 5:5; Note, Luk 16:8. By the armor of light, therefore, the apostle means those graces which stand opposed to the deeds of darkness Rom 13:13; those graces of faith, hope, humility, etc. which shall be appropriate to those who are the children of the day, and which shall be their defense in their struggles with their spiritual foes. see the description in full in Eph 4:11-17.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

The night - The word "night," in the New Testament, is used to denote "night" literally (Mat 2:14, etc.); the starry heavens Rev 8:12; and then it denotes a state of "ignorance" and "crime," and is synonymous with the word "darkness," as such deeds are committed commonly in the night; Th1 5:5. In this place it seems to denote our present imperfect and obscure condition in this world as contrasted with the pure light of heaven The "night," the time of comparative obscurity and sin in which we live even under the gospel, is far gone in relation to us, and the pure splendors of heaven are at hand,

Is far spent - Literally, "is cut off." It is becoming "short;" it is hastening to a close.

The day - The full splendors and glory of redemption in heaven. Heaven is often thus represented as a place of pure and splendid day; Rev 21:23, Rev 21:25; Rev 22:5. The times of the "gospel" are represented as times of "light" (Isa 60:1-2; Isa 60:19-20, etc.); but the reference here seems to be rather to the still brighter glory and splendor of heaven, as the place of pure, unclouded, and eternal day.

Is at hand - Is near; or is drawing near. This is true respecting all Christians. The day is near, or the time when they shall be admitted to heaven is not remote. This is the uniform representation of the New Testament; Heb 10:25; Pe1 4:7; Jam 5:8; Rev 22:10; Th1 5:2-6; Phi 4:5. That the apostle did not mean, however, that the end of the world was near, or that the day of judgment would come soon, is clear from his own explanations; see Th1 5:2-6; compare 2 Thes. 2.

Let us therefore - As we are about to enter on the glories of that eternal day, we should be pure and holy. The "expectation" of it will teach us to "seek" purity; and a pure life alone will fit us to enter there; Heb 12:14.

Cast off - Lay aside, or put away.

The works of darkness - Dark, wicked deeds, such as are specified in the next verse. They are called "works of darkness," because darkness in the Scriptures is an emblem of crime, as well as of ignorance, and because such deeds are commonly committed in the night; Th1 5:7, "They that be drunken, are drunken in the night;" compare Joh 3:20; Eph 5:11-13.

Let us put on - Let us clothe ourselves with.

The armour of light - The word "armor" ὅπλα hopla properly means "arms," or instruments of war, including the helmet, sword, shield, etc. Eph 6:11-17. It is used in the New Testament to denote the "aids" which the Christian has, or the "means of defense" in his warfare, where he is represented as a soldier contending with his foes, and includes truth, righteousness, faith, hope, etc. as the instruments by which he is to gain his victories. In Co2 6:7, it is called "the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." It is called armor of light, because it is not to accomplish any deeds of darkness or of crime; it is appropriate to one who is pure, and who is seeking a pure and noble object. Christians are represented as the "children of light;" Th1 5:5; Note, Luk 16:8. By the armor of light, therefore, the apostle means those graces which stand opposed to the deeds of darkness Rom 13:13; those graces of faith, hope, humility, etc. which shall be appropriate to those who are the children of the day, and which shall be their defense in their struggles with their spiritual foes. see the description in full in Eph 4:11-17.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Is far spent (προέκοψεν) The A.V. gives a variety of renderings to this verb. Luk 2:52, increased; Gal 1:14, profited; Ti2 3:9, proceed; Ti2 3:13, wax. The word originally means to beat forward or lengthen out by hammering. Hence to promote, and intransitively to go forward or proceed. Let us cast off (ἀποθώμεθα) As one puts off the garments of the night. For this use of the simple τίθημι, see on giveth his life, Joh 10:11.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
The night is far spent - If we understand this in reference to the heathen state of the Romans, it may be paraphrased thus: The night is far spent - heathenish darkness is nearly at an end. The day is at hand - the full manifestation of the Sun of righteousness, in the illumination of the whole Gentile world approaches rapidly. The manifestation of the Messiah is regularly termed by the ancient Jews יום yom, day, because previously to this all is night, Bereshith rabba sect. 91, fol. 89. Cast off the works of darkness - prepare to meet this rising light, and welcome its approach, by throwing aside superstition, impiety, and vice of every kind: and put on the armor of light - fully receive the heavenly teaching, by which your spirits will be as completely armed against the attacks of evil as your bodies could be by the best weapons and impenetrable armor. This sense seems most suitable to the following verses, where the vices of the Gentiles are particularly specified; and they are exhorted to abandon them, and to receive the Gospel of Christ. The common method of explanation is this: The night is far spent - our present imperfect life, full of afflictions, temptations, and trials, is almost run out; the day of eternal blessedness is at hand - is about to dawn on us in our glorious resurrection unto eternal life. 'Therefore, let us cast off - let us live as candidates for this eternal glory. But this sense cannot at all comport with what is said below, as the Gentiles are most evidently intended.

Top

¹¹ Put on [1746] the whole armour [3833] of God [2316], that [4314] ye [5209] may be able [1410] to stand [2476] against [4314] the wiles [3180] of the devil [1228].
¹² For [3754] we [2254] wrestle [3823] not [3756] against [2076] [4314] flesh [4561] and [2532] blood [129], but [235] against [4314] principalities [746], against [4314] powers [1849], against [4314] the rulers [2888] of the darkness [4655] of this [5127] world [165], against [4314] spiritual [4152] wickedness [4189] in [1722] high [2032] places.
¹³ Wherefore [1223] [5124] take unto you [353] the whole armour [3833] of God [2316], that [2443] ye may be able [1410] to withstand [436] in [1722] the evil [4190] day [2250], and [2532] having done [2716] all [537], to stand [2476].
¹⁴ Stand [2476] therefore [3767], having [4024] your [5216] loins [3751] girt about [4024] with [1722] truth [225], and [2532] having on [1746] the breastplate [2382] of righteousness [1343];
¹⁵ And [2532] your feet [4228] shod [5265] with [1722] the preparation [2091] of the gospel [2098] of peace [1515];
¹⁶ Above [1909] all [3956], taking [353] the shield [2375] of faith [4102], wherewith [1722] [3739] ye shall be able [1410] to quench [4570] all [3956] the fiery [4448] darts [956] of the wicked [4190].
¹⁷ And [2532] take [1209] the helmet [4030] of salvation [4992], and [2532] the sword [3162] of the Spirit [4151], which is [3603] the word [4487] of God [2316]:
¹⁸ Praying [4336] always [1722] [2540] [3956] with [1223] all [3956] prayer [4335] and [2532] supplication [1162] in [1722] the Spirit [4151], and [2532] watching [69] thereunto [1519] [5124] [846] with [1722] all [3956] perseverance [4343] and [2532] supplication [1162] for [4012] all [3956] saints [40];

¹¹ And [2532] he [846] gave [1325] some [3303], apostles [652]; and [1161] some, prophets [4396]; and [1161] some, evangelists [2099]; and [1161] some, pastors [4166] and [2532] teachers [1320];
¹² For [4314] the perfecting [2677] of the saints [40], for [1519] the work [2041] of the ministry [1248], for [1519] the edifying [3619] of the body [4983] of Christ [5547]:
¹³ Till [3360] we all [3956] come [2658] in [1519] the unity [1775] of the faith [4102], and [2532] of the knowledge [1922] of the Son [5207] of God [2316], unto [1519] a perfect [5046] man [435], unto [1519] the measure [3358] of the stature [2244] of the fulness [4138] of Christ [5547]:
¹⁴ That [2443] we henceforth be [5600] no more [3371] children [3516], tossed to and fro [2831], and [2532] carried about with [4064] every [3956] wind [417] of doctrine [1319], by [1722] the sleight [2940] of men [444], and cunning craftiness [1722] [3834], whereby [4314] they lie in wait [3180] to deceive [4106];
¹⁵ But [1161] speaking the truth [226] in [1722] love [26], may grow up [837] into [1519] him [846] in all things [3956], which [3739] is [2076] the head [2776], even Christ [5547]:
¹⁶ From [1537] whom [3739] the whole [3956] body [4983] fitly joined together [4883] and [2532] compacted [4822] by [1223] that which every [3956] joint [860] supplieth [2024], according [2596] to the effectual working [1753] in [1722] the measure [3358] of every [1538] part [1520] [3313], maketh [4160] increase [838] of the body [4983] unto [1519] the edifying [3619] of itself [1438] in [1722] love [26].
¹⁷ This [5124] I say [3004] therefore [3767], and [2532] testify [3143] in [1722] the Lord [2962], that ye [5209] henceforth [3371] walk [4043] not [3371] as [2531] [2532] other [3062] Gentiles [1484] walk [4043], in [1722] the vanity [3153] of their [846] mind [3563],

¹³ Let us walk [4043] honestly [2156], as [5613] in [1722] the day [2250]; not [3361] in rioting [2970] and [2532] drunkenness [3178], not [3361] in chambering [2845] and [2532] wantonness [766], not [3361] in strife [2054] and [2532] envying [2205].

⁸ And [2532] the lord [2962] commended [1867] the unjust [93] steward [3623], because [3754] he had done [4160] wisely [5430]: for [3754] the children [5207] of this [5127] world [165] are [1526] in [1519] their [1438] generation [1074] wiser [5429] than [5228] the children [5207] of light [5457].

⁵ Ye [5210] are [2075] all [3956] the children [5207] of light [5457], and [2532] the children [5207] of the day [2250]: we are [2070] not [3756] of the night [3571], nor [3761] of darkness [4655].

⁷ By [1722] the word [3056] of truth [225], by [1722] the power [1411] of God [2316], by [1223] the armour [3696] of righteousness [1343] on the right hand [1188] and [2532] on the left [710],

¹¹ And [2532] have [4790] no [3361] fellowship [4790] with the unfruitful [175] works [2041] of darkness [4655], but [1161] rather [3123] [2532] reprove [1651] them.
¹² For [1063] it is [2076] a shame [149] even [2532] to speak [3004] of those things [2931] which are done [1096] of [5259] them [846] in secret [2931].
¹³ But [1161] all things [3956] that are reproved [1651] are made manifest [5319] by [5259] the light [5457]: for [1063] whatsoever [3956] doth make manifest [5319] is [2076] light [5457].

²⁰ For [1063] every one [3956] that doeth [4238] evil [5337] hateth [3404] the light [5457], neither [2532] [3756] cometh [2064] to [4314] the light [5457], lest [3363] his [846] deeds [2041] should be reproved [1651].

⁷ For [1063] they that sleep [2518] sleep [2518] in the night [3571]; and [2532] they that be drunken [3182] are drunken [3184] in the night [3571].

¹⁴ Follow [1377] peace [1515] with [3326] all [3956] men, and [2532] holiness [38], without [5565] which [3739] no man [3762] shall see [3700] the Lord [2962]:

² For [1063] yourselves [846] know [1492] perfectly [199] that [3754] the day [2250] of the Lord [2962] so [3779] cometh [2064] as [5613] a thief [2812] in [1722] the night [3571].
³ For [1063] when [3752] they shall say [3004], Peace [1515] and [2532] safety [803]; then [5119] sudden [160] destruction [3639] cometh upon [2186] them [846], as [5618] travail [5604] upon [1722] a woman with child [1064] [2192]; and [2532] they shall [1628] not [3364] escape [1628].
⁴ But [1161] ye [5210], brethren [80], are [2075] not [3756] in [1722] darkness [4655], that [2443] that day [2250] should overtake [2638] you [5209] as [5613] a thief [2812].
⁵ Ye [5210] are [2075] all [3956] the children [5207] of light [5457], and [2532] the children [5207] of the day [2250]: we are [2070] not [3756] of the night [3571], nor [3761] of darkness [4655].
⁶ Therefore [686] [3767] let us [2518] not [3361] sleep [2518], as [5613] [2532] do others [3062]; but [235] let us watch [1127] and [2532] be sober [3525].

⁵ Let [1097] your [5216] moderation [1933] be known [1097] unto all [3956] men [444]. The Lord [2962] is at hand [1451].

¹⁰ And [2532] he saith [3004] unto me [3427], Seal [4972] not [3361] the sayings [3056] of the prophecy [4394] of this [5127] book [975]: for [3754] the time [2540] is [2076] at hand [1451].

⁸ Be [3114] ye [5210] also [2532] patient [3114]; stablish [4741] your [5216] hearts [2588]: for [3754] the coming [3952] of the Lord [2962] draweth nigh [1448].

⁷ But [1161] the end [5056] of all things [3956] is at hand [1448]: be ye [4993] therefore [3767] sober [4993], and [2532] watch [3525] unto [1519] prayer [4335].

²⁵ Not [3361] forsaking [1459] the assembling [1997] of ourselves [1438] together [1997], as [2531] the manner [1485] of some [5100] is; but [235] exhorting [3870] one another: and [2532] so much [5118] the more [3123], as [3745] ye see [991] the day [2250] approaching [1448].

¹⁹ The sun [08121] shall be no more thy light [0216] by day [03119]; neither for brightness [05051] shall the moon [03394] give light [0216] unto thee: but the LORD [03068] shall be unto thee an everlasting [05769] light [0215], and thy God [0430] thy glory [08597].
²⁰ Thy sun [08121] shall no more go down [0935]; neither shall thy moon [03391] withdraw [0622] itself: for the LORD [03068] shall be thine everlasting [05769] light [0216], and the days [03117] of thy mourning [060] shall be ended [07999].

¹ Arise [06965], shine [0215]; for thy light [0216] is come [0935], and the glory [03519] of the LORD [03068] is risen [02224] upon thee.
² For, behold, the darkness [02822] shall cover [03680] the earth [0776], and gross darkness [06205] the people [03816]: but the LORD [03068] shall arise [02224] upon thee, and his glory [03519] shall be seen [07200] upon thee.

⁵ And [2532] there shall be [2071] no [3756] night [3571] there [1563]; and [2532] they need [5532] no [3756] candle [3088] [2192], neither [2532] light [5457] of the sun [2246]; for [3754] the Lord [2962] God [2316] giveth [5461] them [846] light [5461]: and [2532] they shall reign [936] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165].

²⁵ And [2532] the gates [4440] of it [846] shall [2808] not [3364] be shut [2808] at all [3364] by day [2250]: for [1063] there shall be [2071] no [3756] night [3571] there [1563].

²³ And [2532] the city [4172] had [2192] no [3756] need [5532] of the sun [2246], neither [3761] of the moon [4582], to [2443] shine [5316] in [1722] it [846]: for [1063] the glory [1391] of God [2316] did lighten [5461] it [846], and [2532] the Lamb [721] is the light [3088] thereof [846].

⁵ Ye [5210] are [2075] all [3956] the children [5207] of light [5457], and [2532] the children [5207] of the day [2250]: we are [2070] not [3756] of the night [3571], nor [3761] of darkness [4655].

¹² And [2532] the fourth [5067] angel [32] sounded [4537], and [2532] the third part [5154] of the sun [2246] was smitten [4141], and [2532] the third part [5154] of the moon [4582], and [2532] the third part [5154] of the stars [792]; so as [2443] the third part [5154] of them [846] was darkened [4654], and [2532] the day [2250] shone [5316] not [3361] for a third part [5154] of it [846], and [2532] the night [3571] likewise [3668].

¹⁴ When [1161] he arose [1453], he took [3880] the young child [3813] and [2532] his [846] mother [3384] by night [3571], and [2532] departed [402] into [1519] Egypt [125]:

¹¹ I [1473] am [1510] the good [2570] shepherd [4166]: the good [2570] shepherd [4166] giveth [5087] his [846] life [5590] for [5228] the sheep [4263].

¹³ But [1161] evil [4190] men [444] and [2532] seducers [1114] shall wax [4298] worse and worse [1909] [5501], deceiving [4105], and [2532] being deceived [4105].

⁹ But [235] they shall proceed [4298] no [3756] further [1909] [4119]: for [1063] their [846] folly [454] shall be [2071] manifest [1552] unto all [3956] men, as [5613] theirs [1565] also [2532] was [1096].

¹⁴ And [2532] profited [4298] in [1722] the Jews' religion [2454] above [5228] many [4183] my equals [4915] in [1722] mine own [3450] nation [1085], being [5225] more exceedingly [4056] zealous [2207] of the traditions [3862] of my [3450] fathers [3967].

⁵² And [2532] Jesus [2424] increased [4298] in wisdom [4678] and [2532] stature [2244], and [2532] in favour [5485] with [3844] God [2316] and [2532] man [444].