Romans 9-16: Week Eleven

Romans 13:11–14 ESV

11 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. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 13:11 ESV

11 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.

Paul reminds believers that they are aware of the "time" — a critical moment in spiritual terms. The metaphor of waking from sleep suggests that believers should move from inactivity or complacency to active, alert living. The phrase "salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed" highlights the progressive approach of the ultimate salvation, which Christians await through Christ's return. It implies an urgency to live in righteousness because the final realization of salvation is approaching more closely every day.

Historical Context

Romans 13:11-14 is part of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome, believed to have been written around A.D. 57. This passage is part of the broader moral and ethical instructions Paul gives to the Roman Christians, urging them to live lives that are in harmony with their faith in Christ. At this time, Christians were a minority often living in a hostile pagan society. Paul's admonitions are aimed at ensuring that their conduct would be irreproachable and distinct from the prevailing cultural norms.

Literary Structure

Romans 13:11-14 concludes a section where Paul discusses how believers should relate to one another and to the governing authorities. This particular passage shifts focus slightly, emphasizing the urgency of ethical living because of the eschatological "day" that is drawing near.

Keywords:

"wake from sleep", "salvation is nearer"

Themes: Urgency, awakening, progression of redemptive history

Creating a sermon from Verse 11

How to exegete a text:

Step 1: Read the Text in Context

Initial Reading: Start by reading Romans 13:11 in its broader biblical context. Read the whole chapter (Romans 13), and possibly the chapters before and after, to get a sense of the flow of Paul’s argument and the issues being addressed.

Understand the Historical Context: Learn about the historical and cultural background in which Paul wrote Romans. This includes understanding the situation of the Roman church, the Jewish and Gentile composition of the audience, and the social-political environment of Rome during the mid-first century.

Step 2: Analyze the Text

Key Phrase Identification: In Romans 13:11, identify key phrases such as "you know the time," "wake from sleep," and "salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

"Word Study: Perform a word study on significant terms. For instance, explore the Greek word for "time" (kairos), which implies an appointed, critical, or opportune moment. Understand the implications of "wake from sleep" as a metaphor for spiritual alertness.

Grammar and Syntax: Analyze the sentence structure and grammar to understand how Paul constructs his argument. Pay attention to verbs and their tenses, as these can often carry significant theological weight.

Step 3: Research Scholarly Interpretations

Consult Commentaries: Encourage students to read several biblical commentaries on Romans 13:11. These can provide insights into different interpretations and help clarify difficult aspects of the text.

Engage with Scholarly Articles: Look for academic articles discussing Romans 13 or themes within it. This helps understand various perspectives and scholarly debates about the passage.

Step 4: Theological Implications

Identify Themes: Identify the main theological themes of Romans 13:11, such as urgency, salvation, and spiritual alertness. Discuss how these themes are developed in the broader context of Paul's letter and the New Testament.

Connect to Christian Doctrine: Discuss how this verse relates to key Christian doctrines, such as eschatology (the study of the end times) and soteriology (the study of salvation).

Step 5: Application

Personal Application: Discuss what this verse means for Christians today. How does the idea of salvation being "nearer" affect daily living?

Church Application: Consider how this passage can be preached or taught within a church setting. What messages are important for contemporary Christian communities?

Step 6: Write the Exegesis

Organize Notes: Compile the research, notes, and discussions into a structured format.Draft the Exegesis: Write a formal or informal exegesis paper, depending on the academic setting, that explains Romans 13:11 based on the analysis and research conducted.

Step 7: Review and Reflect

Peer Review: Have students share their exegetical work with peers for feedback.Self-Reflection: Encourage students to reflect on how this process has deepened their understanding of the text and its implications for their personal faith journey.

Sermon Title: "Awake to the Time of Salvation"

Introduction: Recognizing the Moment

Opening Remarks:

Begin with an engaging story or illustration about someone who almost missed an important event because they were unaware of its immediacy. This sets the stage for discussing spiritual awareness and readiness.

Introduction to the Text: Introduce Romans 13:11, emphasizing the context in which Paul is writing to the Romans. Highlight how this message is not just for the first-century Christians but is timeless and pertinent to today's audience.

I. Understanding "The Time"

Explain the Phrase: Delve into the significance of "you know the time." Discuss the Greek word used for "time" (kairos), which refers to a critical, opportune moment rather than chronological time (chronos). This is about recognizing the significant moments in God's redemptive timeline.Current Relevance: Apply this concept to modern life. Encourage the congregation to discern the spiritual significance of current events and personal circumstances through a biblical lens.

II. The Urgency of Awakening

Spiritual Slumber:

Describe what spiritual sleep might look like today—complacency, disengagement from one’s faith, or being unaware of one's spiritual condition.Call to Awake: Use the metaphor of waking up to stress the need for alertness in spiritual life. Compare the suddenness of an alarm clock to unexpected events that remind believers of their need for a savior and the nearness of God’s kingdom.Illustration: Share a testimony or a historical example of someone who experienced a dramatic spiritual awakening, emphasizing the transformation that followed.

III. The Nearness of Salvation

Progression of Salvation:

Explain what Paul means by "salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." Discuss the ongoing nature of salvation—justification, sanctification, and glorification. Highlight how each day brings us closer to the full realization of our salvation.

Eschatological Aspect: Teach about the Christian hope in the return of Christ and the completion of God’s salvation plan. This nearness should motivate a distinct way of living.

IV. Practical Implications

Living in Awareness: Provide practical steps for living in a state of spiritual alertness. Encourage daily disciplines like prayer, Scripture reading, and communal worship.Moral Vigilance: Discuss how an awareness of the "time" affects ethical and moral decisions. Challenge the congregation to evaluate areas of their lives where they might be "sleeping."

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Summarize: Recap the main points, stressing the importance of recognizing the time, waking from spiritual sleep, and living in anticipation of the complete salvation to come.Invitation: Offer an invitation for personal reflection and a response. Encourage those who feel they've been spiritually sleeping to commit to wakefulness.Prayer: Close with a prayer for alertness, spiritual discernment, and readiness, asking for God’s help to live each day fully aware of His presence and return.

Benediction

Send Forth: Bless the congregation with words of empowerment to go forth awakened and attentive to the spiritual life and opportunities God places before them each day.

This sermon aims to stir an awareness of the spiritual reality and urgency that Paul speaks of, encouraging a vigilant and active faith life among the congregation.

Romans 13:12 ESV

12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

This verse uses imagery of night and day to describe the transition from sin to salvation. "The night is far gone" suggests that the period dominated by sin and ignorance is coming to an end, while "the day is at hand" symbolizes the forthcoming full revelation and presence of God through Jesus Christ. Paul calls believers to "cast off the works of darkness" — to abandon sinful behaviors — and to "put on the armor of light," indicating a proactive defense against moral and spiritual corruption by adopting godly ways.

Romans 13:13 ESV

13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Here, Paul provides specific examples of the "works of darkness" he previously mentioned. He contrasts the night's behavior (orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, jealousy) with how one should behave in the "daytime," which is metaphorically linked to living under God's watchful eye. "Walking properly" refers to living a life that is publicly and privately moral and upright, avoiding behaviors that are destructive and dishonorable to the community and to God.

Romans 13:14 ESV

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

This concluding verse sums up the apostle's call to moral and spiritual renewal. "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ" uses the metaphor of clothing to describe taking on the character, virtues, and spirit of Jesus as one's own. It's an invitation to embody Christ's attributes, thereby resisting sinful desires. The phrase "make no provision for the flesh" advises believers not to create opportunities or conditions that would lead to succumbing to the base, sinful desires of human nature. This is a proactive strategy in Christian ethical living — not merely avoiding sin, but actively structuring one’s life to support holiness.