Paul speaks of the need for the Roman believers to change their behavior as if they needed to wake up from being asleep. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
Paul speaks of the time when the people did evil deeds as night. AT: "The present sinful time is almost over" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
"Darkness" here is a metonym for wicked deeds which people prefer to do at night, when it is dark and no one can see them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
This is a metaphor in which Paul speaks of doing righteous works as a way of defending ourselves. AT: "we should allow God to protect us by doing only those deeds that are right and pleasing to him" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]).