Romans 13:11
New International Version
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

New Living Translation
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.

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.

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.

Berean Literal Bible
And do this knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken out of sleep; for our salvation is nearer now than when first we believed.

King James Bible
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.

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 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.

NASB 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.

NASB 1977
And this do, 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.

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].

Christian Standard Bible
Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Holman 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.

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.

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.

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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You know the times [in which we are living]. It's time for you to wake up. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first became believers.

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.

International Standard Version
This is necessary because you know the times—it's already time for you to wake up from sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now 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.

Weymouth 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.

World English Bible
Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And this, knowing the time, that for us, the hour already [is] to be aroused out of sleep, for now our salvation [is] nearer than when we believed;

Berean Literal Bible
And do this knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken out of sleep; for our salvation is nearer now than when first 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;

Smith's Literal Translation
And this, knowing the time, that already the hour ye should be awakened out of sleep: for now our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Catholic Translations
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And we know the present time, that now is the hour for us to rise up from sleep. For already our salvation is closer than when we first believed.

New American Bible
And do this because you know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;

New Revised Standard Version
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;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I know this: Now is the time and the hour to awake from our sleep, for now our life has drawn closer to us than when we believed.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And do this, because you know the time, that the hour has already come when we should awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed:

Godbey New Testament
And recognizing this time, that it is already the hour we should wake out of sleep: for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.

Haweis New Testament
And thus do, knowing the time; for the hour is come that we should awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.

Mace New Testament
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.

Weymouth 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.

Worrell New Testament
And this, knowing the season, that it is time already for you to be aroused out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when ye believed.

Worsley New Testament
And this let us observe, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Put On Christ
10Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11And 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. 12The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.…

Cross References
1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.

Ephesians 5:14
So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Matthew 24:42
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.

Luke 21:36
So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.

1 Corinthians 7:29
What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;

1 John 2:18
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.

Revelation 22:12
“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.

Mark 13:33
Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come.

Hebrews 10:25
Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

Joel 2:1
Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near—

Zephaniah 1:14
The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.

Daniel 12:1
“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

knowing.

Isaiah 21:11,12
The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? …

Matthew 16:3
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Matthew 24:42-44
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…

it is.

Jonah 1:6
So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

Matthew 25:5-7
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept…

Matthew 26:40,41
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? …

for now.

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Luke 21:28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; …

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Romans 13
1. Subjection, and many other duties, we owe to the authorities.
8. Love is the fulfillment of the law.
11. The acts of darkness are out of season in the time of the Gospel.














And do this
This phrase serves as a continuation from the preceding verses, where Paul exhorts believers to love one another. The Greek word for "do" is "ποιεῖτε" (poieite), which implies an active, ongoing action. It is not merely a suggestion but a command to live out the love and righteousness that Paul has been discussing. This call to action is rooted in the understanding that faith is not passive but requires active participation in God's will.

understanding the occasion
The Greek word for "understanding" is "εἰδότες" (eidotes), which means to know or perceive. It suggests a deep, spiritual awareness of the times we are living in. "The occasion" refers to the present time, emphasizing the urgency and significance of the moment. Historically, this reflects the early Christian belief in the imminent return of Christ, urging believers to live with a sense of expectancy and readiness.

The hour has come
This phrase indicates a specific, divinely appointed time. The Greek word "ὥρα" (hora) is often used in the New Testament to denote a critical moment in God's redemptive plan. It suggests that the time for action is now, not in some distant future. This urgency is a call to recognize the spiritual significance of the present moment and to respond accordingly.

for you to wake up from your slumber
The metaphor of waking from sleep is a powerful call to spiritual vigilance. The Greek word "ἐγερθῆναι" (egerthenai) means to rise or awaken, and "ὕπνου" (hypnou) refers to sleep. This imagery is used throughout Scripture to contrast spiritual lethargy with alertness and readiness. It is a reminder that believers must not be complacent but should be actively engaged in their faith, fully aware of the spiritual realities around them.

for our salvation is nearer now
The concept of salvation in this context is eschatological, referring to the ultimate deliverance and fulfillment of God's promises. The Greek word "σωτηρία" (soteria) encompasses both present and future aspects of salvation. The phrase "is nearer now" emphasizes the progressive unfolding of God's plan, encouraging believers to live with hope and anticipation, knowing that the culmination of their faith is approaching.

than when we first believed
This phrase reflects the journey of faith that begins with belief and continues to grow and mature over time. The Greek word "ἐπιστεύσαμεν" (episteusamen) means to have faith or trust. Paul is reminding the Roman Christians of their initial commitment to Christ and urging them to persevere, recognizing that each day brings them closer to the fulfillment of God's promises. This serves as an encouragement to remain steadfast and faithful, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain.

(11-14) The Apostle now gives a reason for enforcing this and other duties upon his readers. The end of the world itself is near.

St. Paul, like the other Apostles (comp. 1Peter 4:7; Revelation 22:20, et al.), certainly believed that the Parusia, or Second Coming of Christ, was near at hand. This was in strict accordance with Mark 13:32, and resulted naturally from the peculiar form of the Jewish Messianic expectation. A great shock had been given to the disciples by the crucifixion of Him whom they thought to be the Messiah, and though they began to recover from this as soon as they were convinced of His resurrection, they yet could not reconcile themselves to it entirely. The humiliation of the cross was still a stumbling-block to them taken alone, but falling back upon another portion of their beliefs, they looked to see it supplemented, and its shameful side cancelled, by a second coming "in power and great glory." Their previous expectations, vague as they were, led them to regard this as part of the one manifestation of the Messiah, and they did not expect to see a long interval of time interposed.

(11) And that, knowing the time.--And that there is all the more urgent motive for you to do--this law of love it is the more incumbent on you to practise--because you know what a critical moment it is in which you are living. The word for "time" is different from that used in the next clause, and means a definite and critical season.

Awake out of sleep.--A striking metaphor. The true, the genuine Christian life is like the state of a man whose eyes are open and whose faculties are all alert and vigorous. All besides, whatever it be, the state of heathenism or of imperfect and lukewarm Christianity, is like the torpor of sleep.

Our salvation.--That blissful participation in His kingdom which the Messiah at His Second Coming should inaugurate for His people. (Comp. Romans 8:19; Romans 8:23, "the manifestation of the sons of God," "the redemption of the body;" Luke 21:28, "your redemption draweth nigh.") . . .

Verses 11-14. - There is now interposed among the particular admonitions a call to watchfulness, with a view to holiness in all relations of life, on the ground that the day is at hand. There can be little, if any, doubt that the apostle had in view the second coming of Christ, which he with others supposed might be close at hand, Our Lord had said that of that day none knew but the Father (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32; cf. Acts 1:7), and that it would come unexpectedly (Matthew 24:27, 37-44; Mark 13:36). Further, in the same addresses to the disciples before his death in which these things were said, he seems to have disclosed a vista of the future, after the manner of the ancient prophets, in which more immediate and more distant fulfilments of the prophetic vision were not clearly distinguished; so that words which we now perceive to have pointed to the destruction of Jerusalem, which was typical of the final judgments, might easily have been understood as referring to the latter. Such are, "This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled" (Matthew 24:34; Mark 13:30; cf. also John 21:22, 23). Hence it was natural that the apostolic Church should regard the second advent as probably imminent. We find in the apostolic Epistles several intimations of this expectation (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13, seq.; 2 Corinthians 5:2-5; Philippians 4:5; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 2:18, 28; Revelation 22:20); and though it was not realized in the event, the authority of the apostles as inspired teachers is not thus disparaged, this being the very thing which Christ had said must remain unknown to all. Nor does their teaching, enforced by this expectation, lose its force to us; for, though "the Lord delayeth his coming," and may still delay it, yet to each of us at least this present world is fast passing away, and the Lord may be close at hand to call us out of it. The duty of watchfulness and preparedness remains unchanged. The Parousia or, as it is called in the pastoral Epistles, the Epiphany (in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, ἐπιφανεία τῆς παρουσίας) of Christ is here, as elsewhere, presented under the figure of the day appearing (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:13; Ephesians 5:14; l Thessalonians 5:4; Hebrews 10:25; 2 Peter 1:19), the previous ages of the world being regarded as the time of night. The figure is found in the prophets with reference to that day - the coming day of the Lord (cf. e.g. Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 60:1-3; Malachi 4:2), But though the day has not yet come, Christians are viewed as already in the radiance of its dawn, in which they can walk as children of the day, and be on the watch, and not be surprised asleep, or doing the deeds of darkness, when the full daylight bursts upon them. For in the first advent of Christ the day dawned, though, to those who loved darkness rather than light, but as a light that shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:5, seq.; John 3:19, seq.; cf. 2 Peter 1:19; 1 John 2:8; and also Luke 1:78, seq.; Luke 2:32). Verses 11, 12. - And that (for a similar use of καὶ τοῦτο, or καὶ ταῦτα, cf. 1 Corinthians 6:8; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 1:28; Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 11:12), knowing that it is high time for you to awake out of sleep (more literally, that it is the hour for you to be already roused out of sleep); for now is our salvation nearer (or, now is salvation nearer to us. The salvation here meant is "the restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21), the "manifestation of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19), "the regeneration" (Matthew 19:28), the "gathering together in one of all things in Christ," (Ephesians 1:10), which is yet to come) than when we believed (i.e. than when we first became believers; cf. Acts 19:2; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 15:2; Galatians 2:16. Time has been gradually advancing since then, bringing the consummation we look for ever nearer). The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Former habits of life are here, as elsewhere, regarded as clothing once worn - a man's habitual investment, though not part of his real self - which is to be put off (cf. Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:8, 9); instead whereof are to he put on, as a new investment, the graces and virtues, supplied to us from the region of light, which constitute the Christian character (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 6:7; Ephesians 6:11, seq.). In all these passages the new clothing to be put on is designated as armour, the idea being carried out in detail in Ephesians 6:11, etc.; and thus the further conception is introduced of Christians being as soldiers on the watch during the watches of the night, awaiting daybreak, equipped with arms of heavenly proof, careful not to sleep on their post, or to allow themselves in revelry or any deeds of shame, such as are done in the night under the cover of darkness.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And [do]
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

this,
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

understanding
εἰδότες (eidotes)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

occasion.
καιρόν (kairon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2540: Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.

[The] hour
ὥρα (hōra)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5610: Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'.

has come
ἤδη (ēdē)
Adverb
Strong's 2235: Already; now at length, now after all this waiting. Apparently from e and de; even now.

for you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

to wake up
ἐγερθῆναι (egerthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 1453: (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[your] slumber,
ὕπνου (hypnou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5258: Sleep; fig: spiritual sleep. From an obsolete primary; sleep, i.e. spiritual torpor.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

salvation
σωτηρία (sōtēria)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4991: Feminine of a derivative of soter as noun; rescue or safety.

[is] nearer
ἐγγύτερον (engyteron)
Adverb
Strong's 1452: Nearer. Neuter of the comparative of eggus; nearer.

now
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

than
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

when
ὅτε (hote)
Adverb
Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.

we {first} believed.
ἐπιστεύσαμεν (episteusamen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.


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NT Letters: Romans 13:11 Do this knowing the time that it (Rom. Ro)
Romans 13:10
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