Lectionary Calendar
Monday, September 23rd, 2024
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

New Living Translation

Romans 13:11

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commandments;   Righteous;   Rising;   Watchfulness;   Thompson Chain Reference - Awake, Exhortations to;   Nation, the;   Sleep;   Sleep-Wakefulness;   Wakefulness;   The Topic Concordance - Armor;   Darkness;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Early Rising;   Salvation;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Day;   Salvation;   Sleep;   Time;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Envy;   Sleep;   Spirituality;   Watchfulness;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Justice;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Issachar;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Romans, Book of;   Salvation;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Parousia;   Perfection;   Romans, Epistle to the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Character;   Faith;   Hour (Figurative);   Interpretation;   Parousia;   Salvation Save Saviour;   Sleep;   Soberness Sobriety;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Interesting facts about the bible;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Awake;   Sleep (and forms);  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for December 11;   Every Day Light - Devotion for June 1;  

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't kick your leg over the saddle and think you've reached the end of the drive. The hour is growing late and you've still got a far piece to go. Put your feet back in the stirrups and strike a long trot. Eternal life is waiting and the time is drawing near.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
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.
Legacy Standard Bible
And 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.
Bible in Basic English
See then that the time has come for you to be awake from sleep: for now is your salvation nearer than when you first had faith.
Darby Translation
This also, knowing the time, that it is already time that *we* should be aroused out of sleep; for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Christian Standard Bible®
Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
World English Bible
This, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awake out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And do this, knowing the season, that it is high time now to awake out of sleep; for salvation is nearer to us now, then when we first believed.
Weymouth's New Testament
Carry out these injunctions because you know the critical period at which we are living, and that it is now high time, to rouse yourselves from sleep; for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first became believers.
King James Version (1611)
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleepe: for now is our saluation neerer then when we beleeued.
Literal Translation
Also this, knowing the time, that it is now the hour for you to be aroused from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And for so moch as we know this, namely the tyme that the houre is now for vs to ryse from slepe (For now is oure saluacion nearer, then whan we beleued:
Mace New Testament (1729)
Consider likewise the present season, that now it is high time to rouse out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed.
THE MESSAGE
But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!
Amplified Bible
Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ].
American Standard Version
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.
Revised Standard Version
Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
This also we knowe I mean the season howe that it is tyme that we shuld now awake oute of slepe. For now is oure salvacion nearer then when we beleved.
Update Bible Version
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.
Webster's Bible Translation
And this, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Young's Literal Translation
And this, knowing the time, that for us, the hour already [is] to be aroused out of sleep, for now nearer [is] our salvation than when we did believe;
New Century Version
Do this because we live in an important time. It is now time for you to wake up from your sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
New English Translation
And do this because we know the time, that it is already the hour for us to awake from sleep, for our salvation is now nearer than when we became believers.
Berean Standard Bible
And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
Contemporary English Version
You know what sort of times we live in, and so you should live properly. It is time to wake up. You know that the day when we will be saved is nearer now than when we first put our faith in the Lord.
Complete Jewish Bible
Besides all this, you know at what point of history we stand; so it is high time for you to rouse yourselves from sleep; for the final deliverance is nearer than when we first came to trust.
English Standard Version
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And that, considering the season, that it is now time that we should arise fro sleepe: for now is our saluation neerer, then when we beleeued it.
George Lamsa Translation
Know this also, that now is the time and the hour that we should awake from our sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
Hebrew Names Version
This, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awake out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.
International Standard Version
This is necessary because you know the times - that it's time for you to wake up from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers.1 Corinthians 15:34; Ephesians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
AND also this know, that the time is, and the hour is, when we should be awake from our sleep; for now hath drawn nearer to us our salvation than when we believed.
Murdock Translation
And this also know ye, that it is the time and the hour, that we should henceforth be awake from our sleep. For now our life hath come nearer to us, than when we believed.
New King James Version
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
New Life Bible
There is another reason for doing what is right. You know what time it is. It is time for you to wake up from your sleep. The time when we will be taken up to be with Christ is not as far off as when we first put our trust in Him.
English Revised Version
And this, knowing the season, that now it is high time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed.
New Revised Standard
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, this besides, - knowing the season - that it is an hour already for you out of sleep to be wakened; for, now, is our salvation nearer than when we believed:
Douay-Rheims Bible
And that, knowing the season, that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
And do this because you know the time, that it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we believed.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And chiefely consideryng the season, howe that it is tyme that we shoulde nowe awake out of slepe: For nowe is our saluation nearer, then when we beleued.
Easy-to-Read Version
I say this because you know that we live in an important time. Yes, it is now time for you to wake up from your sleep. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
New American Standard Bible
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 first believed.
Good News Translation
You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And we knowen this tyme, that the our is now, that we rise fro sleep; for now oure heelthe is neer, than whanne we bileueden.

Contextual Overview

11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

knowing: Isaiah 21:11, Isaiah 21:12, Matthew 16:3, Matthew 24:42-44, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

it is: Jonah 1:6, Matthew 25:5-7, Matthew 26:40, Matthew 26:41, Mark 13:35-37, 1 Corinthians 15:34, Ephesians 5:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8

for now: Ecclesiastes 9:10, Luke 21:28, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, 1 Peter 4:7, 2 Peter 3:13-15, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20

Reciprocal: Proverbs 6:9 - when Proverbs 19:15 - casteth Proverbs 20:13 - open Proverbs 24:33 - General Song of Solomon 3:2 - will rise Song of Solomon 7:9 - those that are asleep Isaiah 56:1 - for Hosea 4:11 - take Joel 1:5 - Awake Matthew 5:16 - your light Mark 13:33 - General Mark 13:36 - he find Luke 12:40 - General Luke 21:34 - your hearts Ephesians 5:16 - Redeeming Philippians 2:12 - own 1 Thessalonians 5:4 - are 1 Thessalonians 5:6 - let us not Hebrews 10:25 - as ye Hebrews 12:1 - let us lay 1 Peter 5:8 - sober 2 Peter 1:20 - Knowing Revelation 1:3 - for

Cross-References

Genesis 13:9
The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I'll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I'll go to the left."
Genesis 13:14
After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, "Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west.
Genesis 19:17
When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, "Run for your lives! And don't look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!"
Psalms 16:3
The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!
Psalms 119:63
I am a friend to anyone who fears you— anyone who obeys your commandments.
Proverbs 27:10
Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father's. When disaster strikes, you won't have to ask your brother for assistance. It's better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.
Hebrews 10:25
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
1 Peter 2:17
Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And that knowing the time,.... That it is day and not night, the Gospel day, the day of salvation; in which the grace of God shines forth, like the sun in its meridian glory; life and immortality are brought to light, righteousness and salvation are revealed; and so a time not for sloth and sleep, but business; in which the saints should active in the exercise of grace, and discharge, of duty; owing no man anything but the debt of love; and that the dawn of grace, and day of spiritual light had broke in upon their souls, and dispelled the darkness of sin, ignorance and unbelief; that the darkness was past, and the true light shined, and the sun of righteousness was risen on them: all which they full well knew and were conscious of, and therefore should observe,

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". 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,

for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed; by which is meant, not temporal salvation, or a deliverance from the persecution the saints endured in Judea, from their own countrymen, by the departure of them from Jerusalem, a little before its destruction, by the destruction of that city, and the peaceful times of Vespasian; but a spiritual and eternal salvation: not Christ the author of it, who was come to effect it; nor that itself, as obtained, which was now done, finished, and completed; nor the application of it to their souls, which also had been made; but the consummate enjoyment of it in heaven, the salvation of their souls at death, and both of soul and body at the resurrection; consisting in a freedom from every evil, and in a full possession of all that is good and glorious: this is brought nearer to the saints, to their sight and view, as their faith grows and increases; and they are nearer the enjoyment of that than when they first believed; and which is a strong reason why a sluggish, slothful frame should not be indulged; what, sleep, and heaven so near at hand! just at their Father's house, ready to enter into the joy of their Lord, into his everlasting kingdom and glory, and yet asleep!

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And that - The word �that,� in this place, is connected in signification with the word ��this� in Romans 13:9. The meaning may be thus expressed: All the requirements of the Law toward our neighbor may be met by two things: one is Romans 13:9-10 by love; the other is Romans 13:11-14 by remembering that we are near to eternity; keeping a deep sense of �this� truth before the mind. �This� will prompt to a life of honesty, truth, and peace, and contentment, Romans 13:13. The doctrine in these verses Romans 13:11-14, therefore, is, �that a deep conviction of the nearness of eternity will prompt to an upright life in the contact of man with man.

Knowing the time - Taking a proper �estimate� of the time. Taking just views of the shortness and the value of time; of the design for which it was given, and of the fact that it is, in regard to us, rapidly coming to a close. And still further considering, that the time in which you live is the time of the gospel, a period of light and truth, when you are particularly called on to lead holy lives, and thus to do justly to all. The �previous� time had been a period of ignorance and darkness, when oppression, and falsehood, and sin abounded. This, the time of the �gospel,� when God had �made known� to people his will that they should be pure.

High time - Greek, �the hour.�

To awake ... - This is a beautiful figure. The dawn of day, the approaching light of the morning, is the time to arouse from slumber. In the darkness of night, people sleep. So says the apostle. The world has been sunk in the �night� of paganism and sin. At that time it was to be expected that they would sleep the sleep of spiritual death. But now the morning light of the gospel dawns. The Sun of righteousness has arisen. 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. The same idea is beautifully presented in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8. The meaning is,� Hitherto we have walked in darkness and in sin. Now we walk in the light of the gospel. We know our duty. We are sure that the God of light is around us, and is a witness of all we do. 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.

Sleep - Inactivity; insensibility to the doctrines and duties of religion. People, by nature, are active only in deeds of wickedness. In regard to religion they are insensible, and the slumbers of night are on their eyelids. Sleep is �the kinsman of death,� and it is the emblem of the insensibility and stupidity of sinners. The deeper the ignorance and sin, the greater is this insensibility to spiritual things, and to the duties which we owe to God and man.

For now is our salvation - The word �salvation� has been here variously interpreted. Some suppose that by it the apostle refers to the personal reign of Christ on the earth. (Tholuck, and the Germans generally.) Others suppose it refers to deliverance from �persecutions.� Others, to increased �light� and knowledge of the gospel, so that they could more clearly discern their duty than when they became believers. (Rosenmuller.) 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. You are hastening to the world of glory. 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.�

Than when we believed - Than when we �began� to believe. Every day brings us nearer to a world of perfect light.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 13:11. And that, knowing the time — Dr. Taylor has given a judicious paraphrase of this and the following verses: "And all the duties of a virtuous and holy life we should the more carefully and zealously perform, considering the nature and shortness of the present season of life; which will convince us that it is now high time to rouse and shake off sleep, and apply with vigilance and vigour to the duties of our Christian life; for that eternal salvation, which is the object of our Christian faith and hope, and the great motive of our religion, is every day nearer to us than when we first entered into the profession of Christianity."

Some think the passage should be understood thus: We have now many advantages which we did not formerly possess. Salvation is nearer-the whole Christian system is more fully explained, and the knowledge of it more easy to be acquired than formerly; on which account a greater progress in religious knowledge and in practical piety is required of us: and we have for a long time been too remiss in these respects. Deliverance from the persecutions, &c., with which they were then afflicted, is supposed by others to be the meaning of the apostle.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile