![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
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The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Wake up! Prepare for battle! Our Lord is coming soon!<\/p>\n The words \u201cis far spent<\/span>\u201d are from the verb prokopt\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of pro<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cbefore\u201d or \u201cforward\u201d and kopt\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto cut, strike, or impel.\u201d Thus, the root meaning of prokopt\u014d<\/em> <\/span>is \u201cto drive forward.\u201d Figuratively, with regard to time, it means that it is \u201cadvanced, nearly used up, or well along.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs at hand<\/span>\u201d is translated from the verb engidz\u014d<\/em><\/span>, based on the noun engus<\/em> <\/span>(which we saw in the previous verse), meaning \u201cnear.\u201d Hence, engidz\u014d<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto come near\u201d or \u201cto approach.\u201d It is expressed here in the perfect tense, which in Greek implies a completed past action with an ongoing effect where the emphasis is on the effect. So, Paul is saying that the day has already drawn near and now is very near.<\/p>\n \u201cCast off<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek verb apotith\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, made up of apo<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201caway\u201d and tith\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto lay something down.\u201d Thus, apotith\u0113mi<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto lay something aside.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cdarkness<\/span>\u201d is skotos<\/em><\/span>, which is based on the word skia<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201ca shadow\u201d or \u201cshade.\u201d Skotos<\/em><\/span> literally means something shady or something dark.<\/p>\n The word \u201carmor\u201d is hoplon<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201cinstruments, or tools, or weapons of warfare.\u201d<\/p>\n At nighttime we all sleep. While we are asleep, we are unaware of what is going on around us. We are in a dream world where nothing is real. But when we wake up, we see reality and we have to face up to it. Many of us get up before it is daylight. We do so because we know that the daylight is coming. If we were to wait for the daylight before rousing ourselves, we would be late. If we lay in bed when it is time to get up, we often fall back asleep.<\/p>\n This is precisely the picture that Paul is painting for us in the previous verse and the current one. The time of the return of Christ is close at hand. It is almost morning. We need to wake up and get to work. Paul tells us that we are to lay aside all of our works that are shady or those which spring from darkness, (a metonym for sinful).<\/p>\n Instead of doing those things that are wrong, instead of doing things that are even a little bit shady, Paul tells us to \u201clay them aside and put on the armor of light.\u201d On the surface, this may sound like a defensive posture, but as we saw in \u201cBehind the Words,\u201d this refers to our tools of warfare against the powers of darkness. We are in a constant spiritual battle with our adversary and we need to be on the offensive, spreading the word of truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to be witnessing and we need to be building up and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ.<\/p>\n In case you don\u2019t realize it, these verses represent God\u2019s alarm clock and it just went off! It\u2019s time to leave our dream world and prepare for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, let\u2019s get up, let\u2019s arm ourselves for the spiritual battle ahead, and let\u2019s get to work! Our Lord is coming soon!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
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