TRV
Translation
King James Version
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Complete Jewish Bible
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
American Standard Version
Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.
World English Bible Messianic
Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So that wee walke honestly, as in the day: not in gluttonie, and drunkennesse, neither in chambering and wantonnes, nor in strife and enuying.
Young's Literal Translation
as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation;
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 28,280 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Romans 13 verses 11–14
11 ¶ 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.
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.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points
We are here taught a lesson of sobriety and godliness in ourselves. Our main care must be to look to ourselves. Four things we are here taught, as a Christian's directory for his day's work: when to awake, how to dress ourselves, how to walk, and what provision to make.
I. When to awake: Now it is high time to awake (Rom 13:11), to awake out of the sleep of sin (for a sinful condition is a sleeping condition), out of the sleep of carnal security, sloth and negligence, out of the sleep of spiritual death, and out of the sleep of spiritual deadness; both the wise and foolish virgins slumbered and slept, Mat 25:5. We have need to be often excited and stirred up to awake. The word of command to all Christ's disciples is, Watch. "Awake - be concerned about your souls and your eternal interest; take heed of sin, be ready to, and serious in, that which is good, and live in a constant expectation of the coming of our Lord. Considering," 1. "The time we are cast into: Knowing the time. Consider what time of day it is with us, and you will see it is high time to awake. It is gospel time, it is the accepted time, it is working time; it is a time when more is expected than was in the times of that ignorance which God winked at, when people sat in darkness. It is high time to awake; for the sun has been up a great while, and shines in our faces. Have we this light to sleep in? See Th1 5:5, Th1 5:6. It is high time to awake; for others are awake and up about us. Know the time to be a busy time; we have a great deal of work to do, and our Master is calling us to it again and again. Know the time to be a perilous time. We are in the midst of enemies and snares. It is high time to awake, for the Philistines are upon us; our neighbour's house is on fire, and our own in danger. It is time to awake, for we have slept enough (Pe1 4:3), high time indeed, for behold the bridegroom cometh." 2. "The salvation we are upon the brink of: Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed - than when we first believed, and so took upon us the profession of Christianity. The eternal happiness we chose for our portion is now nearer to us than it was when we became Christians. Let us mind our way and mend our pace, for we are now nearer our journey's end than we were when we had our first love. The nearer we are to our centre the quicker should our motion be. Is there but a step between us and heaven, and shall we be so very slow and dull in our Christian course, and move so heavily? The more the days are shortened, and the more grace is increased, the nearer is our salvation, and the more quick and vigorous we should be in our spiritual motions."
II. How to dress ourselves. This is the next care, when we are awake and up: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand; therefore it is time to dress ourselves. Clearer discoveries will be quickly made of gospel grace than have been yet made, as light gets ground. The night of Jewish rage and cruelty is just at an end; their persecuting power is near a period; the day of our deliverance from them is at hand, that day of redemption which Christ promised, Luk 21:28. And the day of our complete salvation, in the heavenly glory, is at hand. Observe then,"
1."What we must put off; put off our night-clothes, which it is a shame to appear abroad in: Cast off the works of darkness." Sinful works are works of darkness; they come from the darkness of ignorance and mistake, they covet the darkness of privacy and concealment, and they end in the darkness of hell and destruction. "Let us therefore, who are of the day, cast them off; not only cease from the practice of them, but detest and abhor them, and have no more to do with them. Because eternity is just at the door, let us take heed lest we be found doing that which will then make against us," Pe2 3:11, Pe2 3:14.
2."What we must put on." Our care must be wherewithal we shall be clothed, how shall we dress our souls? (1.) Put on the armour of light. Christians are soldiers in the midst of enemies, and their life a warfare, therefore their array must be armour, that they may stand upon their defence - the armour of God, to which we are directed, Eph 6:13, etc. A Christian may reckon himself undressed if he be unarmed. The graces of the Spirit are this armour, to secure the soul from Satan's temptations and the assaults of this present evil world. This is called the armour of light, some think alluding to the bright glittering armour which the Roman soldiers used to wear; or such armour as it becomes us to wear in the day-light. The graces of the Spirit are suitable splendid ornaments, are in the sight of God of great price. (2.) Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, Rom 13:14. This stands in opposition to a great many base lusts, mentioned Rom 13:13. Rioting and drunkenness must be cast off: one would think it should follows, but, "Put on sobriety, temperance, chastity," the opposite virtues: no, "Put on Christ, this includes all. Put on the righteousness of Christ for justification; be found in him (Phi 3:9) as a man is found in his clothes; put on the priestly garments of the elder brother, that in them you may obtain the blessing. Put on the spirit and grace of Christ for sanctification; put on the new man (Eph 4:24); get the habit of grace confirmed, the acts of it quickened." Jesus Christ is the best clothing for Christians to adorn themselves with, to arm themselves with; it is decent, distinguishing, dignifying, and defending. Without Christ, we are naked, deformed; all other things are filthy rages, fig-leaves, a sorry shelter. God has provided us coats of skins - large, strong, warm, and durable. By baptism we have in profession put on Christ, Gal 3:27. Let us do it in truth and sincerity. The Lord Jesus Christ. "Put him on as Lord to rule you, as Jesus to save you, and in both as Christ, anointed and appointed by the Father to this ruling saving work."
III. How to walk. When we are up and dressed, we are not to sit still in an affected closeness and privacy, as monks and hermits. What have we good clothes for, but to appear abroad in them? - Let us walk. Christianity teaches us how to walk so as to please God, whose eye is upon us: Th1 4:1, Walk honestly as in the day. Compare Eph 5:8, Walk as children of light. Our conversation must be as becomes the gospel. Walk honestly; euschēmonōs - decently and becomingly, so as to credit your profession, and to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, and recommend religion in its beauty to others. Christians should be in a special manner careful to conduct themselves well in those things wherein men have an eye upon them, and to study that which is lovely and of good report. Particularly, here are three pairs of sins we are cautioned against: - 1. We must not walk in rioting and drunkenness; we must abstain from all excess in eating and drinking. We must not give the least countenance to revelling, nor indulge our sensual appetite in any private excesses. Christians must not overcharge their hearts with surfeiting and drunkenness, Luk 21:34. This is not walking as in the day; for those that are drunk are drunk in the night, Th1 5:7. 2. Not in chambering and wantonness; not in any of those lusts of the flesh, those works of darkness, which are forbidden in the seventh commandment. Downright adultery and fornication are the chambering forbidden. Lascivious thoughts and affections, lascivious looks, words, books, sons, gestures, dances, dalliances, which lead to, and are degrees of, that uncleanness, are the wantonness here forbidden - whatsoever transgresseth the pure and sacred law of chastity and modesty. 3. Not in strife and envying. These are also works of darkness; for, though the acts and instances of strife and envy are very common, yet none are willing to own the principles, or to acknowledge themselves envious and contentious. it may be the lot of the best saints to be envied and striven with; but to strive and to envy ill becomes the disciples and followers of the peaceable and humble Jesus. Where there are riot and drunkenness, there usually are chambering and wantonness, and strife and envy. Solomon puts them all together, Pro 23:29, etc. Those that tarry long at the wine (Pro 23:30) have contentions and wounds without cause (Pro 23:29) and their eyes behold strange women, Pro 23:33.
IV. What provision to make (Pro 23:14): "Make not provision for the flesh. Be not careful about the body." Our great care must be to provide for our souls; but must we take no care about our bodies? Must we not provide for them, when they need it? Yes, but two things are here forbidden: - 1. Perplexing ourselves with an inordinate care, intimated in these words, pronoian mē poieisthe. "Be not solicitous in forecasting for the body; do not stretch your wits, nor set your thoughts upon the tenter-hooks, in making this provision; be not careful and cumbered about it; do not take thought," Mat 6:31. It forbids an anxious encumbering care. 2. Indulging ourselves in an irregular desire. We are not forbidden barely to provide for the body (it is a lamp that must be supplied with oil), but we are forbidden to fulfil the lusts thereof. The necessities of the body must be considered, but the lusts of it must not be gratified. Natural desires must be answered, but wanton appetites must be checked and denied. To ask meat for our necessities is duty: we are taught to pray for daily bread; but to ask meat for our lusts is provoking, Psa 78:18. Those who profess to walk in the spirit must not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, Gal 5:16.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 11–14. Public domain.
Copy as
Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Stromata Book 4
We shall, however, treat of prayer in due course by and by. But we ought to have works that cry aloud, as becoming "those who walk in the day."
TertullianAD 220
On Fasting
Which alliance the apostle withal was aware of; and hence, after premising, "Not in drunkenness and revels," he adjoined, "nor in couches and lusts."
TertullianAD 220
On Fasting
Whether, moreover, the apostle had any acquaintance with xerophagies-(the apostle) who had repeatedly practised greater rigours, "hunger, and thirst, and fists many," who had forbidden "drunkennesses and revellings" -we have a sufficient evidence even from the case of his disciple Timotheus; whom when he admonishes, "for the sake of his stomach and constant weaknesses," to use "a little wine," from which he was abstaining not from rule, but from devotion-else the custom would rather have been beneficial to his stomach-by this very fact he has advised abstinence from wine as "worthy of God," which, on a ground of necessity, he has dissuaded.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
These are the works of darkness, which are also called the “works of the flesh,” in which people bind their flesh to luxury and uncleanness rather than to holiness or the Lord. “Reveling” refers to dishonorable and extravagant banqueting, which inevitably is prone to sexual immorality.… “Quarreling and jealousy” are really acts of the mind, but like everything else here, they are called acts of the flesh.
AmbrosiasterAD 384
COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES
It is true that people do not sin in public, so let us behave as if we were constantly in the public eye. For there is nothing more public than the truth.…Crimes are hatched in large supplies of wine, and many kinds of lust are stirred up. Therefore banquets of this kind are to be avoided.… Debauchery is another result of this sort of thing. Paul was right to warn them against quarreling and jealousy, because both of these things lead to enmity.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Romans 24
"Not in rioting and drunkenness." Not that he would forbid drinking, but the doing it immoderately; not the enjoying of wine, but doing it to excess. As also the next thing he states likewise with the same measure, in the words,
"Not in chambering and wantonness;" for here also he does not prohibit the intercourse of the sexes, but committing fornication. "Not in strife and envying." It is the deadly kind of passions then that he is for extinguishing, lust, namely, and anger. Wherefore it is not themselves only, but even the sources of them that he removes. For there is nothing that so kindles lust, and inflames wrath, as drunkenness, and sitting long at the wine. Wherefore after first saying, "not in rioting and drunkenness," then he proceeded with, "not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying." And even here he does not pause, but after stripping us of these evil garments, hear how he proceeds to ornament us, when he says,
PelagiusAD 418
PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS
Just as the light of day keeps everyone from doing what he would freely do at night, so too, knowledge keeps us from ignoring the commands of the law. A revel is a luxurious banquet, but we have a spiritual feast. Moreover, that drunkenness is ruinous and an occasion for debauchery is further proved by the fact that Paul has added “licentiousness.” That quarrelling and jealousy are also objects of reproach is demonstrated both here and by many other examples.
JeromeAD 420
HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS 46
Let us live our lives in the same way now as we are going to live in the day, that is, in the future world.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Romans 13:13 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Romans 13:13 issues a profound ethical exhortation, calling believers to live with integrity and moral purity, as if under the illuminating scrutiny of daylight. It starkly contrasts the righteous conduct expected of those who anticipate Christ's imminent return with the debauched and divisive behaviors characteristic of worldly darkness, specifically condemning excessive revelry, sexual immorality, and interpersonal conflict. This verse serves as a practical blueprint for Christian living, urging a lifestyle that reflects the transformative power of the Gospel and the urgency of the eschatological hope.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Romans 13:13 employs several effective Literary Devices to convey its urgent message. Central to the verse is the use of Metaphor, particularly the contrast between "day" and "night." "Day" symbolizes light, truth, and the imminent arrival of Christ's kingdom, representing a life of transparency and righteousness. "Night," by contrast, implicitly represents the sphere of darkness, secrecy, and ungodliness, where the proscribed behaviors (rioting, drunkenness, chambering, wantonness, strife, envying) typically occur. This metaphorical framework establishes a clear moral dichotomy. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Antithesis, directly contrasting the positive command ("walk honestly, as in the day") with a series of negative prohibitions ("not in rioting... not in chambering... not in strife..."). This stark opposition powerfully highlights the behaviors to be avoided by those who belong to the light. Finally, Parallelism is evident in the repeated "not in..." structure, which creates a rhythmic and emphatic rejection of specific vices, reinforcing their unsuitability for Christian conduct. The pairing of vices (rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, strife and envying) also demonstrates a form of parallelism, grouping related moral failings together.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 13:13 is a powerful call to practical holiness, rooted in the theological reality of salvation and the eschatological hope. It underscores the truth that justification by faith is not an end in itself but the beginning of a transformed life of sanctification. The "day" motif connects this ethical imperative directly to the return of Christ, emphasizing that genuine faith should manifest in a lifestyle that anticipates and prepares for His coming. This means shedding the "works of darkness"—behaviors characteristic of a world alienated from God—and embracing a life of integrity, purity, and relational harmony, which are the fruits of the Spirit. The verse implicitly teaches that Christian ethics are not merely a set of rules but a natural outflow of a new identity in Christ, lived out in conscious awareness of God's presence and impending judgment.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 13:13 challenges believers today to a radical re-evaluation of their daily conduct in light of eternity. The call to "walk honestly, as in the day" urges us to live with unwavering integrity, transparency, and moral uprightness in every sphere of life—our homes, workplaces, digital interactions, and private thoughts. This means rejecting the allure of secret sins and embracing a life lived openly before God and others, knowing that the "day" of accountability is always at hand. The specific prohibitions serve as a timeless warning against the seductive power of worldly indulgence and relational discord. We are called to exercise self-control over our appetites, fleeing from any form of excess or immorality that would defile our bodies, minds, or spirits. Furthermore, the injunction against "strife and envying" reminds us of our sacred responsibility to cultivate peace, unity, and love within the Christian community, actively resisting the divisive forces of jealousy, rivalry, and contention. Living out this verse requires a conscious, daily decision to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14), allowing His character to shape our every word and deed, and living with the urgency of those who truly believe that the "day is at hand."
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "walk honestly, as in the day" mean for Christians today?
Answer: "Walking honestly, as in the day" means living a life characterized by integrity, transparency, and moral uprightness, as if constantly under the illuminating scrutiny of daylight. For Christians today, this implies that our conduct, both public and private, should be above reproach and consistent with our faith. It means living authentically, without hypocrisy or hidden sins, because we are "children of light" (Ephesians 5:8). It also carries an eschatological urgency, reminding us to live in a manner prepared for the "day" of Christ's return or the full realization of His kingdom.
Why does Paul specifically list "rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, strife and envying"?
Answer: Paul lists these specific behaviors because they represent common vices prevalent in the Greco-Roman world that were antithetical to Christian conduct and the principles of love and purity. "Rioting and drunkenness" refer to excessive revelry and intoxication, which lead to a loss of self-control and are characteristic of pagan feasts. "Chambering and wantonness" address sexual immorality and licentiousness, which defile the body and disregard moral decency. "Strife and envying" refer to interpersonal conflicts, jealousy, and bitter rivalry, which undermine unity and love within the Christian community. By explicitly naming these, Paul provides clear, practical examples of the "works of darkness" that believers are to "cast off" (Romans 13:12).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 13:13 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The call to "walk honestly, as in the day" is a direct reflection of Christ, who is the Light of the World, in whom there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). He perfectly exemplified a life lived in complete transparency, integrity, and purity, utterly devoid of the vices Paul condemns. Christ's advent ushered in the "day" of salvation, dispelling the "night" of sin and ignorance. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us into His glorious light (Colossians 1:13). Therefore, our ability to "cast off the works of darkness" and "put on the armour of light" (Romans 13:12) is not by our own strength but by virtue of our union with Christ. As believers, we are called to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14), allowing His righteousness to become our practical conduct, reflecting His character to a world still shrouded in night. Our transformed lives, marked by purity, self-control, and love, are a testament to the saving and sanctifying power of the One who came as the true and everlasting Day.