Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about abstaining from sin; it's an active call to embody Jesus. "Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ" means clothing ourselves with His character, His principles, and His very spirit, allowing Him to shape our actions and reactions. It’s a profound call to imitate Him so completely that His life becomes evident in ours, rather than merely avoiding "provision for the flesh" as a defensive measure.
Paul is building on his previous exhortation to "put on the armor of light" by urging believers to actively embody Christ. He's just described the "works of darkness" – revelry, drunkenness, sensuality, strife, and envy – which characterized their former lives before embracing the Gospel. Now, he presents the positive alternative: living as if clothed in Jesus himself, in stark contrast to fulfilling the desires of their old, sinful nature.
The Bible uses a powerful metaphor here – 'putting on' Christ. It's more than just believing; it's about a complete transformation of your whole being.
When Paul urges us to 'put on the Lord Jesus Christ,' he's not just talking about outward actions. Think of it like putting on a new identity.
The verse starkly contrasts 'putting on Christ' with 'making provision for the flesh.' What does it really mean to stop feeding those desires?
The call to 'make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires' is a direct command to actively resist sinful impulses.
Understand the original words
sarx · Greek Noun
The fallen human nature, often depicted as the seat of sinful desires, opposition to God, and inclination toward worldly or sinful gratification.
epithymia · Greek Noun
The inner, often unruly, urges or longings that originate in the fallen human nature and lead to sinful actions if not resisted.
This verse comes from Paul's letter to the Romans, written around AD 57 while he was in Corinth. It's a crucial instruction to believers in Rome, a city already experiencing internal social pressures and facing future imperial persecution, urging them to live distinctly from the surrounding pagan culture by 'putting on Christ' and rejecting its sinful practices.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The foundational events of Christianity, marking the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and the beginning of the Church.
c. AD 30-40
Early Spread of Christianity
The Gospel begins to spread from Jerusalem throughout the Roman Empire, with the Apostle Paul playing a key role in reaching Gentile communities.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spends significant time in Corinth, a major Roman port city known for its bustling trade and moral laxity, establishing a church there.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul Writes Romans from Corinth
From Corinth, Paul pens his most comprehensive theological letter to the church in Rome, addressing issues of faith, practice, and life in the Spirit.
This passage uses the same powerful metaphor of 'putting on Christ,' likening it to being baptized into Christ, which means to be clothed with His righteousness and Spirit.
Colossians 3:10This verse speaks of being renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ, echoing the idea in Romans of imitating Christ's character and spirit.
1 Peter 2:11Peter urges believers to abstain from fleshly desires, directly paralleling Paul's command not to 'make provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.'
Ephesians 4:22-24This passage describes 'putting off your old self' and 'putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness,' which is a strong conceptual parallel to 'putting on Christ.'
1 Corinthians 6:11This verse lists the very vices Paul warns against in Romans 13:13 and connects them to justification and sanctification, highlighting the transformative power of putting on Christ.
barnesRomans 13:14: "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
But put ye on - Compare Galatians 3:17 . The word rendered "put ye on" is the same used in Romans 13:12 , and is commonly employed in reference to "clothing" or "apparel." The phrase to "put on" a person, which seems a harsh expression in our language, was one not infrequently used by Greek writers, and means to imbibe his principles, to imitate his example, to copy his spirit…
vincentRomans 13:14: "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
Provision (πρόνοιαν)Etymologically akin to take thought for, in 13:17.FleshIn the moral sense: the depraved nature.
This verse isn't just about abstaining from sin; it's an active call to embody Jesus. "Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ" means clothing ourselves with His character, His principles, and His very spirit, allowing Him to shape our actions and reactions. It’s a profound call to imitate Him so completely that His life becomes evident in ours, rather than merely avoiding "provision for the flesh" as a defensive measure.
Paul is building on his previous exhortation to "put on the armor of light" by urging believers to actively embody Christ. He's just described the "works of darkness" – revelry, drunkenness, sensuality, strife, and envy – which characterized their former lives before embracing the Gospel. Now, he presents the positive alternative: living as if clothed in Jesus himself, in stark contrast to fulfilling the desires of their old, sinful nature.
Paul is building on his previous exhortation to "put on the armor of light" by urging believers to actively embody Christ. He's just described the "works of darkness" – revelry, drunkenness, sensuality, strife, and envy – which characterized their former lives before embracing the Gospel. Now, he presents the positive alternative: living as if clothed in Jesus himself, in stark contrast to fulfilling the desires of their old, sinful nature.
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c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
A devastating fire sweeps through Rome, leading to widespread destruction and subsequent persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero, who blamed them for the disaster.
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." — This verse isn't just about abstaining from sin; it's an active call to embody Jesus. "Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ" means clothing ourselves with His character, His principles, and His very sp…
