Romans 13:13

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Let us walk {G4043} honestly {G2156}, as {G5613} in {G1722} the day {G2250}; not {G3361} in rioting {G2970} and {G2532} drunkenness {G3178}, not {G3361} in chambering {G2845} and {G2532} wantonness {G766}, not {G3361} in strife {G2054} and {G2532} envying {G2205}.

Let us live properly, as people do in the daytime — not partying and getting drunk, not engaging in sexual immorality and other excesses, not quarrelling and being jealous.

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.

Commentary on Romans 13:13 (KJV)

Romans 13:13 offers a powerful call to Christian conduct, urging believers to live with integrity and moral purity in anticipation of Christ's return. It outlines specific behaviors to avoid, contrasting the darkness of worldly indulgence with the light of righteous living.

Context

This verse is part of a broader section in Romans 13 where the Apostle Paul transitions from discussing Christian submission to governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7) to outlining the ethical responsibilities of believers. Paul's exhortation follows his teaching on love as the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:8-10). The immediate preceding verses (Romans 13:11-12) emphasize the urgency of the present time, stating that "now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" and that the night is far spent, and the day is at hand. This eschatological perspective frames the call to moral uprightness.

Key Themes

  • Walking in the Light: The phrase "walk honestly, as in the day" serves as a central metaphor. It signifies living openly, transparently, and with integrity, as if under the scrutiny of daylight, in contrast to the hidden deeds of darkness. It also points to the imminent "day" of Christ's coming or the full realization of His kingdom, urging believers to live in a manner consistent with that glorious future.
  • Abstinence from Worldly Indulgences: Paul explicitly lists behaviors characteristic of "night" or unregenerate living:
    • Rioting and Drunkenness: These refer to excessive revelry, carousing, and intoxication, often associated with pagan feasts and a lack of self-control.
    • Chambering and Wantonness: This addresses sexual immorality. "Chambering" (Greek: koítai) implies illicit sexual encounters, while "wantonness" (Greek: aselgeíais) denotes sensuality, lewdness, and a shameless disregard for moral decency, often involving public displays of immorality. This contrasts sharply with the call to sanctification and purity.
    • Strife and Envying: These relate to interpersonal conflicts and destructive emotions within the community. "Strife" (Greek: éridei) refers to contention and quarrels, while "envying" (Greek: zélōi) signifies jealousy and bitter rivalry. These actions undermine Christian unity and love.
  • Moral Transformation: The verse implicitly calls for a fundamental shift in lifestyle, moving away from the "works of darkness" towards a life reflecting the righteousness of God. This transformation is not merely about avoiding bad behaviors but actively embracing good ones, as further elaborated in Romans 13:14.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Honestly" (KJV): The Greek word is euschemónos (εὐσχημόνως), meaning 'decently,' 'properly,' 'respectably,' or 'in a becoming manner.' It implies living in a way that is honorable and appropriate for those who belong to Christ.
  • "Rioting": The Greek kómois (κώμοις) refers to revelry or drunken feasts, often with singing and dancing, characteristic of pagan festivals.
  • "Chambering": The Greek koítai (κοίταις) literally means 'beds' but is used here as a euphemism for sexual acts, specifically illicit ones.
  • "Wantonness": The Greek aselgeíais (ἀσελγείαις) signifies a lack of moral restraint, often manifested in open, shameless debauchery, indicating a defiant attitude toward decency. These behaviors are also listed among the "works of the flesh" in Galatians 5:19-21.

Practical Application

Romans 13:13 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Live Authentically: Our lives should reflect the light of Christ, marked by integrity and transparency in all areas, whether public or private.
  • Practice Self-Control: We are to exercise discipline over our appetites and desires, avoiding excesses that lead to spiritual and moral decay, such as substance abuse or unrestrained indulgence.
  • Pursue Purity: A strong emphasis is placed on sexual purity, urging believers to flee from all forms of immorality and sensuality, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
  • Foster Peace and Unity: We are to actively resist behaviors that cause division, such as contention, jealousy, and envy, instead striving for harmony and love within the Christian community and beyond.
  • Live with Urgency: The awareness of Christ's imminent return or the brevity of life should motivate us to live purposefully and righteously, always prepared for the "day."

Ultimately, this verse is a practical outworking of the command to "put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14), allowing His character to transform our daily conduct.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Galatians 5:21

    Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

  • Ephesians 5:18

    And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3

    For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:5

    Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:12

    That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and [that] ye may have lack of nothing.

  • 1 John 2:6

    He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

  • Ephesians 5:15

    See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

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