Is almost gone (4298) (prokopto from pro = before or forward + kopto = to cut, impel) literally means to cut before and then to cut forward in front, to cut forward a way, to advance, to go forward. It can mean to lengthen out by by hammering (as a smith in forging metals). To cut forward (as in a forest), to blaze a way, to go ahead, to make progress.
Prokopto conveys the idea of moving forward or making progress sometimes to an improved state (Jesus' wisdom and stature in Lk 2:52) or other times to an undesirable state (2Ti 2:16, 3:13). In 2Ti 3:13, prokopto is used similarly in the sense of accomplish or to progress in an activity (speaking of the activity of the false teachers - as in 2Ti 3:6, 7, 8-notes).
Prokopto is used here by Paul in a metaphorical sense to describe advance of the night, that "whole period of man's alienation from God" as Vine characterizes it. The idea here is the night has moved forward to a final stage and thus is far gone or drawing to a close.
Wuest writes that prokopto means to
means “to blaze a way” through a forest, “to cut a pioneer path.”
Vincent writes prokopto...
The word originally means to beat forward or lengthen out by hammering. Hence to promote, and intransitively to go forward or proceed.
TDNT notes that
This word seems to be originally nautical for “to make headway,” “to forge ahead.”
NIDNTT notes that...
prokopto and prokope which both in Stoic philosophy and in Philo denote ethical advance.
Here are the 6 uses of prokopto in the NT...
Luke 2:52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Galatians 1:14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
Comment: Paul's figure using prokopto is that of a runner in a race cutting ahead of others. Paul was way out in front, already a leader. Saul of Tarsus was so intent in his ambition to further the cause of Judaism that he did not hesitate to "cut down" all opposition and in this respect outstripped (advanced beyond) his contemporaries.
2Timothy 2:16 (note) But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
2Timothy 3:9 (note) But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, as also that of those two came to be.
2Timothy 3:13 (note) But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Since the next great event in God's redemptive plan is the Second coming of Jesus Christ, the night, no matter how long chronologically, is "nearly over." Paul is saying the end of the age, the last age, is near. It has been near all along because no one knew when the end would come, but it is certainly much, much nearer now than when Paul first wrote -- since we can look back across the span of two thousand years of human history.
Lawrence Richards states it this way...
History may roll on for centuries. But it is still true that "the night is nearly over." In Christ a great light dawns, showing us truth and righteousness and calling us to a faith that transforms us into righteous men and women. How impossible then that we should let ourselves sink back into a darkness corrupted by sinful acts. How overjoyed we should be to clothe ourselves with Christ and live His kind of life in our lost world.
Ray Stedman adds...
It is interesting that thoughtful men (not necessarily Christians) are becoming more and more aware of an approaching climax in human history. You can't read the newspapers without being aware that there is an air of sober experience on every side. You travel about, as I have been privileged to do this last summer, and you get the feeling, as you visit various nations, that things have gotten beyond men's control. We sort of stumbled onto a treadmill which is carrying us with frightening rapidity toward an event from which we cannot escape. Men no longer are in control of their own events. Governments are no longer able to govern by advice and consent; they are governed by crises, muddling through, doing the best they can as each crises develops, and they never know what is coming" (Read the full sermon - The Demand of the Hour)
THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT
(play hymn)
by Thomas Kelly
The night is far spent, the day is at hand;
Already the dawn may be seen in the sky;
Rejoice then, ye saints, ’tis your Lord’s own command;
Rejoice, for the coming of Jesus draws nigh.
How bright it will be, when Jesus appears!
How welcome to those who have shared in His cross!
A crown incorruptible then will be theirs,
A rich compensation for suffering and loss.
Affliction is light compared to the day
Of glory that then will from Heaven be revealed!
“The Savior is coming,” His people may say,
“The Lord whom we look for, our Sun and our Shield.”
O pardon us, Lord, that love to Thy Name
Is faint, with so much our affections to move!
Our deadness shall fill us with grief and with shame,
So much to be loved and so little to love!
O kindle within us holy desire,
Like that which was found in Thy people of old!
Who felt all Thy love, and whose hearts were on fire,
While waiting in patience Thy face to behold!
AND THE DAY IS AT HAND: e de hemera eggiken (3SRAI):
CHRIST'S RETURN
AND
HOLY LIVING
The day - "What day?" (See expressions of time) would be the natural question. As discussed above, this day almost certainly refers to the day of the Lord's triumphant return (see Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming).
R A Torrey...
The imminent return of our Lord is the great Bible argument for a pure, unselfish, devoted, unworldly, active life of service.
John Calvin...
Christ keeps the minds of believers in a state of suspense until the last day.
J C Ryle...
Uncertainty about the date of the Lord's return is calculated to keep believers in an attitude of constant expectation and to preserve them from despondency.
Billy Graham
The subject of the second coming of Christ has never been popular to any but the true believer.
D L Moody
I never preach a sermon without thinking that possibly the Lord may come before I preach another.
C H Spurgeon...
If I knew that our Lord would come this evening, I should preach just as I mean to preach; and if I knew he would come during this sermon, I would go on preaching until he did....The fact that Jesus Christ is to come again is not a reason for star-gazing, but for working in the power of the Holy Ghost.
Someone has well said that...
When it comes to belief in the Lord's return there are two kinds of Christians—gazers and goers.
John Blanchard...
The certainty of the Second Coming of Christ should touch and tincture every part of our daily behavior. (Blanchard, John: Complete Gathered Gold: A Treasury of Quotations for Christians OR Computer Version - Recommended)
As Denny in the Expositor's Greek Testament so rightly puts it...
The true day dawns only when Christ appears; at present it is night, though a night that has run much of its course.
The fact that the Lord's return is imminent (see imminency), should serve to motivate us to number our days that we might present to the Lord a heart of wisdom (Ps 90:12-Spurgeon's note). It should serve to cause us to seek to redeem the time for the days are evil (Ep 5:16-see note).
The apostle John alludes to the day of the Lord's return as the believer's great motivation for holy living...
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1Jn 3:2-note, 1Jn 3:3-note)
Comment: As we contemplate the nearness of this day, this glorious truth should renew our minds and motivate us to be holy as He is holy (1Pe 1:14-note, 1Pe 1:15, 16-note, 1Pe 1:17-note, cp Mt 5:48-note, cp Ex 6:7; 19:6, Lv 11:44,45, 20:7,26 ,19:2, Dt 7:6,14:2)
The anticipation of the Lord's return is also frequently mentioned elsewhere in the NT as an incentive for holy living, Paul writing to Titus that
the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing (teaching, disciplining) us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, (eagerly, continually) looking for (and motivated by) the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. (Titus 2:11-note, Titus 2:12-note, Titus 2:13-note).
The writer of Hebrews admonishes believers to
consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day (the day of Christ's return) drawing near (eggizo in the = it is continually on its way!) (He 10:24, 25-note).
James calls on us to
Be patient, (aorist imperative = command to make this a top priority) therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen (both verbs are commands - aorist imperative) your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (Jas 5:7, 8).
Peter warns his readers that
The end of all things is at hand (cp "the night is almost over"); therefore, be of sound judgment (aorist imperative = command speaking of an urgent need) and sober spirit (aorist imperative = command speaking of an urgent need) for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1Pe 4:7, 8-note).
Paul reminds us that as believers there is a solemn day in eternity future when...
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (bema), that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (phaulos).” (2Co 5:10-note).
In light of the imminent return of our Lord, Peter gives us the following exhortation...
And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. (2Pe 1:19-note)
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)