Romans 13:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προέκοψεν
is far spent
G4298
προέκοψεν
is far spent
Strong's:
G4298
Word #:
3 of 19
to drive forward (as if by beating), i.e., (figuratively and intransitively) to advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρα
the day
G2250
ἡμέρα
the day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
6 of 19
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
9 of 19
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργα
the works
G2041
ἔργα
the works
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
11 of 19
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σκότους
of darkness
G4655
σκότους
of darkness
Strong's:
G4655
Word #:
13 of 19
shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)
καί
and
G2532
καί
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐνδυσώμεθα
let us put on
G1746
ἐνδυσώμεθα
let us put on
Strong's:
G1746
Word #:
15 of 19
to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅπλα
the armour
G3696
ὅπλα
the armour
Strong's:
G3696
Word #:
17 of 19
an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war)
Cross References
Ephesians 5:11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.2 Corinthians 6:7By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,James 1:21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.Isaiah 30:22Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.Ephesians 4:22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;Romans 13:14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.Song of Solomon 2:17Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.Revelation 22:10And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.Isaiah 2:20In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;1 Peter 2:1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
Historical Context
Paul's night/day metaphor was vivid for first-century believers awaiting Christ's return. Early Christians met before dawn for worship, symbolically enacting transition from darkness to light. This language of 'putting off/on' echoes baptismal imagery—old self crucified, new self raised (Romans 6:3-4). The church fathers used this text to call believers to moral transformation befitting their eschatological identity. Augustine's conversion turned on Romans 13:13-14—'put on the Lord Jesus Christ'—showing the text's transformative power.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific 'works of darkness' (<em>erga tou skotous</em>) do you need to 'cast off' in light of Christ's nearness?
- How does 'putting on the armor of light' (<em>hopla tou phōtos</em>) differ from moral willpower or behavioral modification?
- What does it mean practically to live as those in the 'day' while still physically in the 'night'—already-but-not-yet ethics?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The night is far spent, the day is at hand—Hē nyx proekopsen, hē de hēmera ēngiken (ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν). Proekopsen (has advanced/progressed) uses perfect tense—night has moved forward, its end approaching. Hēmera ēngiken (the day has drawn near) uses engizō, same verb John the Baptist and Jesus used: 'the kingdom has drawn near' (Matthew 3:2, 4:17). Nyx (night) symbolizes the present evil age (Ephesians 5:8); hēmera (day) symbolizes Christ's return and the age to come.
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light—Apothōmetha oun ta erga tou skotous, endysōmetha de ta hopla tou phōtos (ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, ἐνδυσώμεθα δὲ τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός). Apotithēmi (cast off) is used for removing dirty clothes (Ephesians 4:22, Colossians 3:8). Endyō (put on) indicates clothing oneself. Hopla (armor) suggests spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:11-17). Skotous (darkness) represents sin; phōtos (light) represents righteousness, truth, Christ Himself (John 8:12).