13:11-14 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
13:11-14 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
In view of the imminence of Christ's return Paul is impressing upon Christians here the importance of loving our fellow man (CP V8-10).
Paul is not referring to Christ's second coming in V11-14 as a great many Christians believe, but to the time when He comes again to take all the saints of God - both living and dead - back to heaven with Him at the first resurrection (CP Jn 5:25, 28-29; 14:1-3; 1Cor 15:51-58; Php 3:20-21; Col 3:1-4; 1Th 4:13-18; 5:23; 2Th 3:4-5; Tit 2:11-14; Jas 5:7-9; 1Jn 2:28; Jude 24).
Knowing the time in Ro13:12 is a figure of speech Paul used to remind Christians of how imminent Christ's return is. (If Paul considered it close in his day, how much closer is it today. See also comments on Ro 13:8 and author's study
The Rapture in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith). The word sleep in V11 is used metaphorically of a slumbering state of the soul; of its spiritual conformity to the world. (CP Mk 13:33-37; 1Cor 15:34; Eph 5:13-15; 1Th 5:6-8).
Paul warns Christians to awaken out of this sleep, to stop sinning and live as children of the light (CP 1Pet 2:9; 2Pet 1: 5-11) See also author's study Christians - Love Not the World in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1).
Armour in Ro 13:12 is used metaphorically of the spiritual weapons available to Christians to enable them to withstand the works of darkness (CP Ro 13:12 with 2Cor 10:3-5; Eph 6:11-18). In Ro 13:13 Paul names some sins Christians are to stop engaging in (CP V 13).
Rioting and drunkenness refer to drunken orgies (CP 1Pe 4:3). Chambering is sexual immorality, and wantonness is unbridled lust, debauchery. Strife and envy mean dissension and jealousy. They go hand in hand (CP Ac 13:44-45; 1Cor 3:3; Jas 3:14-16).
To walk honestly means that Christians must not secretly plan to fulfill sinful desires while outwardly professing Christ (CP Ro 13:14 with Ro 6:11-13; Ga 5:16-24; Eph 4:20-32; Col 3:1-11; 1Pe 2:11).
This is what it means to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. If we have put on Christ, we will never plan to fulfil sinful desires. See also comments on 2Cor 10:3-5(A) and (B) and Eph 6:11-12 and author's study Christian - Beware of Failing God's Grace and Forfeiting your Salvation in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).