Devine Scripture

Romans 13:14

What does Romans 13:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 13:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 13:14 means

The climax comes: put on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is more than adopting virtues; it is embracing Christ Himself—His lordship, character, and life—as our covering and equipment. To “make no provision for the flesh” means we refuse to feed desires that would dominate us; we cut off opportunities and plans that stoke sinful cravings. Christ is both the pattern and the power for holy living. Clothed with Him, we walk in love, light, and readiness for the coming day. This verse gathers the whole chapter’s thrust into one directive centered on Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not give thought to the flesh to do its desires.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the flesh take no forethought--for desires.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ: and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take forethought for the flesh to [fulfil its] lusts.

Context

Verse 14 concludes the chapter’s movement from civic submission (vv.1–7), to the debt of love (vv.8–10), to the urgency of the hour (vv.11–13). Having named what to cast off and how to walk, Paul gives the decisive positive command: “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” This centers all application on union with Christ, the sure way to fulfill the law of love and to live fittingly for the nearing day. The flow ends with a Christ-focused call that empowers the obedience and purity urged throughout the chapter.

v.13Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.

v.14This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Galatians 3:27

    For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.

  • 1 Peter 2:11

    Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

  • Galatians 5:24

    And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.

  • 1 John 2:15

    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

  • Colossians 3:10

    and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:

  • Galatians 5:16

    But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

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