Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 13:12

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 .

Some, by Night and Day, do understand the night of Iewish Persecution, and the day of Deliverance and Salvation, vid. Heb. 10.25. Others, by Night, understand the time of Ignorance and Infidelity; This he sayes is far spent, or for the greatest part it is past and gone: Darkness is not perfectly done away, in this Life, amongst Believers themselves, 1 Cor. 13.9, 10. By Day, they understand the time of Gospel-Light, and Saving-Knowledge: So in the next Verse, and in 1 Thess. 5.5. This he sayes is at hand, or is come nigh; it was Dawning upon the World, and would Shine brighter and brighter, till it were perfect Day.

i. e. All our former Sins, which are called Works of darkness, here, and in Eph. 5.11. They are so called, because they are usually Committed by those that are in Ignorance and Darkness; and because some Sins, such as he speaks of in the next Verse, were wont to be Committed in the darkness of the Night, Men being ashamed of them in the Day time, vid. Iob 24.15. 1 Thess. 5.7. These he Exhorts the believing Romans to cast off: The Word implyeth, hast and hatred, Isa. 30.22. and 31.7.

i. e. All Christian Graces, which are bright and shining in the Eyes of the World, Mat. 5.16. and which will be as so much Christian Armour, to Defend us against Sin, and all the Assaults of Satan.

Marginal references: Col. 3.8.