Heb. 11 : 12. 1 Cor. 6 : 6. Eph. 2 : 8. Knowing the time, i. e. consider- ing the nature and character of the period in which we now live. The original word does not mean time in the general, but a portion of time considered as appropriate, as fixed, as short, &c. &c. Paul immediately explains himself by adding, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; it was the proper time to arouse themselves from their slumbers, and, shaking off all slothfulness, to address themselves earnestly to work. For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. This is the reason why it is time to be up and active, salvation is at hand. This is not to be understood as implying that the apostles expected the speedy advent of Christ to judgment ; because, in the first place, we know that the time of the second advent was not revealed to them ; see Matt. 24 : 36, 37. Acts 1: G, 7. 1 Thess. 5 : 1, 2. And, secondly, because they expressly teach that ' the day of Christ was not at hand :' see 2 Thess. 2 : 1 — 3. The most natural interpretation of the passage is, that Paul means simply to remind them that the time of deliverance was near ; that the difficulties and sins with which they had to contend would soon be dis- persed as the shades and mists of night before the rising day. The scr/ra- iion, therefore, here intended, is the consummation of the work of Christ in their deliverance from this present evil world, and introduction into the purity and blessedness of heaven. Eternity is just at hand, is the solemn consideration that Paul urges on his readers as a motive for devotion and diligence.
(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. The general sentiment of this verse is very obvious. Night or darkness is the common emblem of sin and sorrow ; day or light that of know- ledge, purity, and happiness. The meaning of the first clause, therefore, is, that the time of sin and sorrow is nearly over, that of holiness and happiness is at hand.
Paul continues this beautiful figure through the verse. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. That is, let us renounce those things which need to be concealed, and clothe ourselves with those which are suited to the light. The works of darkness are those works which men are accustomed to commit in the dark, i. e. all evil works ; and armour of light means those virtues and good deeds which men are not ashamed of, because they will bear to be seen. Paul probably used the word armour instead of works because these virtues constitute the offensive and defensive weapons with which we are here to contend against sin and evil ; see Eph. 6 : 11.
(13) Let us walk honestly as in the day ; not in rioting and drunk- enness ; not in chambering and wantonness ; not in strife and envying. This verse is an amplification of the preceding, stating some of those works of darkness which we are to put off; as v. 14 states what is the armour of light Avhich we are to put on. The word rendered honestly means becomingly, properly. There are three classes of sins specified i .