ACC ~ Romans 13 v12

THE SON AND THE PROMISES. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: By “day” and “light” he designates figuratively the Son, and by “the armor of light” he means the promises. STROMATA 4.22.

CAST OFF WORKS OF DARKNESS. ORIGEN: This may be understood in both a universal and in a particular sense. In the first instance, the light is dawning everywhere, and the reign of darkness over the world is rapidly coming to an end. … In the second instance, if we have Christ in our hearts he gives us light. Therefore if the reason of knowledge drives away our ignorance and if we turn away from unworthy deeds and do what is right, we are in the light and are walking honestly as if in the day. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

OPPORTUNITIES MAY BE LOST. DIODORE: The “day” is the time of this life which remains to us, in which we can do good works. The “night” is the future, in which it will no longer be possible to work. Then we shall lie in the darkness, having lost the chance to do good works. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

THE ARMOR OF LIGHT. AMBROSIASTER: “Night” means the old man, who is renewed through baptism. Paul says that he has passed away like the night and that the day is near, i.e., the sun of righteousness, by whose light the truth appears to us so that we may know what to do. For before we were in the dark, being ignorant of Christ. But when we learned of him the light rose on us and we passed from the false to the true.

The “darkness” refers to carnal sins, which are done by worldly enticements. … But to “put on the armor of light” is to do good deeds. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

BEARING ARMS FOR THE REIGN OF LIGHT. CHRYSOSTOM: The day is calling us to get ready for the battle. Do not be afraid at the thought of bearing arms. It is a heavy and distasteful duty when we have to bear a visible suit of armor, but in this case it is desirable and worth it. For the arms we are called to bear are those of the light! HOMILIES ON ROMANS 24.

THE DAY IS AT HAND. AUGUSTINE: Paul said this, yet look at how many years have passed since then! Yet what he said was not untrue. How much more probable it is that the coming of the Lord is near now, when there has been such an increase of time toward the end! LETTER 77.

WALKING IN THE LIGHT. [PSEUDO-]CONSTANTIUS: The apostle urges us to put off the works of darkness embedded in the torpor of sleep and walk in the light, that is, in good works. THE HOLY LETTER OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS.

DARKNESS AS IGNORANCE. PELAGIUS: Paul likens knowledge to the day and ignorance to the night, in accordance with what Hosea says: “I have likened your mother to the night; my people have become as those who have no knowledge.” Let us therefore cast off the works of ignorance and put on the armor of light, that is, works of light. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

THE MEANING OF DAY AND NIGHT. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: By “day” Paul means the time since the coming of Christ, for his appearing has made it much easier to tell the difference between good and evil. “Night” refers to the time before his coming. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

THEODORET OF CYR: “Night” refers to the time of ignorance, whereas “day” refers to the time after the Lord’s coming. INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS.

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