13:13a
Let us behave decently: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as behave is literally “walk.” It used as a figure of speech to indicate how one lives. Believers must live decently. They must live as God wants them to live.
as in the daytime: This phrase indicates that believers should do the good deeds that people do during the day, not the evil deeds that people do during the night. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
as in the light of day (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
as in the daylight
13:13b
not in carousing and drunkenness: The words “Let us walk/behave” are implied from 13:13a. In some languages they must be repeated here for the correct meaning. For example:
Let us not live in orgies and drunkenness
carousing: The Greek word here refers to excessive feasting or parties with much drinking of alcoholic beverages. This Greek word focuses less on sexual immorality during these parties than the usual Greek word that is translated carousing. Here are other ways to translate this word:
reveling (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
drinking parties
drunkenness: This word refers generally to drinking too many alcoholic beverages so that the person becomes drunk.
13:13c
not in sexual immorality and debauchery: The list of evil deeds continues from 13:13b.
In some languages, the sentence in 13:13a–d may get too long. If you start a new sentence here you may want to repeat the words “Let us walk/live” from 13:13a. For example:
Let us walk not in sexual immorality and sensuality
-or-
Let us not walk in sexual immorality and sensuality
sexual immorality: The Greek word refers generally to sexual intercourse. It implies here sex outside of marriage.
debauchery: The Greek word refers to allowing oneself to do anything, including bad or evil behavior. Here are other ways to translate this word:
licentiousness (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
doing anything you want
-or-
indulging of disgusting desires with no self control whatsoever
See how you translated this word in Mark 7:22 or 2 Corinthians 12:21 (“debauchery” in the Berean Standard Bible both times).
13:13d
not in dissension and jealousy: The words “Let us walk/behave” are implied from 13:13a. In some languages they must be repeated here for the correct meaning.
dissension: The Greek word refers to conflict of any kind: arguments, fighting over a difference of opinion, or rivalry over a job or position. Here are other ways to translate this word:
fighting (Good News Translation)
-or-
arguing
-or-
rivalry (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
See how you translated this word in 1:29 (“strife”).
jealousy: This refers to having bad feelings toward a person because that person has something that you want for yourself.
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