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. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Romans 13:11-12 (NASB)
Do what? In context Paul is referring to what he has just emphasised. We are called to love richly and live right. Knowing the time is important. Christians are addressed as those who know the seasons, who discern the signs of the times. The word for “time” is kairos, also translated as “opportunity”. Kairos is not so much a succession of minutes (Greek chronos), but a period of opportunity. That’s why we are told to redeem the time.
Let’s check out other translations for insight into this verse.
You know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up. Romans 13:11-12 (TLB)
Time is running out!
The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! Romans 13:11-12 (MSG)
Be up and awake to what God is doing!
It is time to wake up to reality. Every day brings God’s salvation nearer. The night is nearly over, the day has almost dawned. Romans 13:11-12 (JBP)
It is time to wake up to reality!
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. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Romans 13:11-12 (KJV)
Sleep is hupnos in the original Greek. It is the source of our English words ‘hypnotic’, ‘hypnosis’, etc. Let’s shake off that hypnotic state. It’s not time to hit the snooze button. It’s time to be alert, awake and aware of the opportunities God has given us. Let’s make each day count and impact our communities. As Jesus said:
I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night comes when no man can work. John 9:4 (KJV)