Romans 13:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Believers should live openly and decently, as people of the daylight, turning from the hidden sins of indulgence, immorality, and conflict.
What Does Romans 13:13 Mean?
Paul names what the deeds of darkness look like. He gathers them in pairs: the excesses of feasting and drink, the sins of sexual indulgence, and the discord of quarreling and envy. To 'walk honestly, as in the day' is to live as one whose conduct could bear the full light of noon.
These are deeds people hide under cover of night, but the believer belongs to the day. The call is to a life so transparent that nothing must be concealed. This very verse, read long ago, turned Augustine from a wayward life to Christ, a reminder of its converting power. The disciple is summoned to integrity, where outer behavior and inner faith agree, and where the appetites that war against the soul are quietly set aside in favor of a clear and ordered walk before God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 13:13
What does Romans 13:13 mean?
Believers should live openly and decently, as people of the daylight, turning from the hidden sins of indulgence, immorality, and conflict.