Rom 13:11, Eph 5:14 | JFB | STEP | 11. And that-- rather, "And this [do]" knowing the time, that now it is high time-- literally, "the hour has already come." to awake out of sleep-- of stupid, fatal indifference to eternal things. for now is our salvation-- rather, "the salvation," or simply "salvation." nearer than when we-- first believed-- This is in the line of all our Lord's teaching, which represents the decisive day of Christ's second appearing as at hand, to keep believers ever in the attitude of wakeful expectancy, but without reference to the chronological nearness or distance of that event.

‏ Romans 13:11

11. And that--rather, "And this [do]"

knowing the time, that now it is high time--literally, "the hour has already come."

to awake out of sleep--of stupid, fatal indifference to eternal things.

for now is our salvation--rather, "the salvation," or simply "salvation."

nearer than when we--first

believed--This is in the line of all our Lord's teaching, which represents the decisive day of Christ's second appearing as at hand, to keep believers ever in the attitude of wakeful expectancy, but without reference to the chronological nearness or distance of that event.

‏ Ephesians 5:14

14. Wherefore--referring to the whole foregoing argument (Ep 5:8, 11, 13). Seeing that light (spiritual) dispels the pre-existing darkness, He (God) saith ... (compare the same phrase, Ep 4:8).

Awake--The reading of all the oldest manuscripts is "Up!" or, "Rouse thee!" a phrase used in stirring men to activity. The words are a paraphrase of Is 60:1, 2, not an exact quotation. The word "Christ," shows that in quoting the prophecy, he views it in the light thrown on it by its Gospel fulfilment. As Israel is called on to "awake" from its previous state of "darkness" and "death" (Is 59:10; 60:2), for that her Light is come; so the Church, and each individual is similarly called to awake. Believers are called on to "awake" out of sleep; unbelievers, to "arise" from the dead (compare Mt 25:5; Ro 13:11; 1Th 5:6, with Ep 2:1).

Christ--"the true light," "the Sun of righteousness."

give thee light--rather, as Greek, "shall shine upon thee" (so enabling thee by being "made manifest" to become, and be, by the very fact, "light," Ep 5:13; then being so "enlightened," Ep 1:18, thou shalt be able, by "reproving," to enlighten others).