Paul also wrote: "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" ( Romans 13:11 Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.Īmerican King James Version ×, emphasis added throughout). Paul was writing to the church at Corinth, which shows that even true Christians can be spiritually asleep to varying degrees. Being awake is equated with righteousness and not sinning. "Awake to righteousness, and do not sin" ( 1 Corinthians 15:34 1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.Īmerican King James Version ×). It is spiritual watching coupled with prayer that gives one the strength to survive temptations and difficult situations. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak'" ( Matthew 26:41 Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Jesus was chiding the disciples for not remaining awake during the hour preceding His arrest.īut what Jesus next said to Peter had a deeper, spiritual meaning: "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. And he comes to the disciples, and finds them asleep, and said to Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour?Īmerican King James Version ×, the meaning of "watch" is primarily physical. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will. Then said he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: tarry you here, and watch with me. In Matthew 26:37-40 Matthew 26:37-40 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. When the New Testament commands us to "watch," it is usually the translation of one of two Greek words ( gregoreuo and agrupneo), which have similar meanings-to "stay awake" and to "be sleepless." They are usually meant in the metaphorical and spiritual sense-to be vigilant and on guard, fully awake, aware, alert and intently focused-with several applications and implications. Is prayer important? Extremely so! And so is the command to watch! Watch means to stay wide awake How important is it that we "watch"? Consider this: The biblical command to watch is several times coupled with the command to pray.
This article focuses on New Testament scriptures with the verb "watch"-important scriptures that are often misunderstood, ignored and neglected. It is spiritual watching coupled with prayer that gives one the strength to survive temptations and difficult situations. Paul wasn't telling us to be passive spectators-of entertainment or anything else. The rest of the verse is clear, but what does "watch" mean? The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong" ( 1 Corinthians 16:13 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.Īmerican King James Version ×).
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