Colossians 4:5-6
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The instruction to "redeem the time" isn't just about managing your schedule; it's about actively "buying up" opportunities, treating each moment as a precious resource to be strategically invested for good. This means seizing the opportune moments to live wisely and speak graciously, rather than letting chances to witness and do good slip away passively.
The Apostle Paul is concluding his letter, moving from deeper theological instruction to practical advice for daily living. He's just urged the Colossian believers to be devoted in prayer and to be watchful, and now he shifts to how they should conduct themselves in their interactions with those outside the church. This shifts to instructions on how their speech should reflect their faith, even amidst challenging circumstances.
We're called to live wisely, but who are we being wise towards? And why does it matter so much?
Paul tells believers to 'walk in wisdom toward outsiders.' This isn't just about being smart or clever; it's about a practical, applied wisdom that guides our interactions with those outside the Christian community.
Why 'Outsiders'?
Think of it like this: the Christian community is the 'household of faith,' a protected space. 'Outsiders' are everyone else. Our wisdom in dealing with them serves crucial purposes:
Time seems to slip through our fingers. Paul urges us to 'redeem the time' – what does that really mean for our faith?
The phrase 'redeeming the time' is powerful. It comes from a word that means to 'buy up' or 'purchase.' Imagine a limited-time offer on something incredibly valuable; you'd want to grab it before it's gone!
Buying Up Opportunities
Paul isn't just saying 'don't waste time.' He's urging us to actively purchase opportunities, especially opportunities to live out and share our faith.
Understand the original words
peripateō · Greek Verb
To live or conduct one’s life in a particular manner, emphasizing the practical, ongoing expression of one's faith.
sophia · Greek Noun
The practical application of spiritual knowledge; it involves discernment, godly character, and the ability to act according to God’s will in everyday life.
exō · Greek Adjective
Those outside the community of faith; non-believers who observe the conduct of the church.
kairos · Greek Noun
The God-ordained window of opportunity given to believers to fulfill their purpose; implies the necessity of urgency in stewardship.
Paul's instruction to 'walk in wisdom toward outsiders' and 'redeem the time' is deeply rooted in his experience of evangelizing within a hostile pagan world and his own period of imprisonment. It underscores the need for strategic, discerning engagement with those outside the faith, especially during times of societal tension and potential persecution.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
While in Ephesus, Paul engages in extensive ministry, facing opposition from silversmiths who feared the economic impact of his preaching against idolatry. This period highlights the challenging context of evangelism within a pagan society.
c. AD 55-57— this verse
Imprisonment in Rome
Paul is imprisoned in Rome, likely under house arrest, where he writes several epistles, including Colossians, Philippians, Ephesians, and Philemon. This allows him to influence churches and individuals through letters.
c. AD 60-62
The Book of Colossians Written
Paul writes the Epistle to the Colossians from Rome, addressing doctrinal errors and practical living for the church in Colossae. The letter offers guidance on Christian conduct, including interactions with non-believers.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
This passage directly parallels Colossians 4:5, urging believers to 'walk precisely, not as fools but as wise,' highlighting the importance of mindful living.
1 Thessalonians 4:12This verse connects to 'walking wisely toward outsiders' by instructing believers to 'conduct yourselves honorably toward outsiders and be needy of nothing,' emphasizing respect and integrity in interactions.
Matthew 10:16Jesus' instruction to be 'as wise as serpents and innocent as doves' echoes the 'wisdom' mentioned in Colossians 4:5, stressing the need for shrewdness and purity in dealings with the world.
Galatians 6:10This verse broadens the concept of 'making the best use of time' towards outsiders by stating, 'So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith,' showing how our actions toward others fit into God's timing.
1 Peter 3:15This passage provides a powerful rationale for 'walking in wisdom toward outsiders,' encouraging believers to 'always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you,' showing the purpose behind wise conduct.
meyerColossians 4:5: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."
Colossians 4:5 f. Another exhortation, for which Paul must still have had occasion, although we need not seek its link of connection with the preceding one. Comp. Ephesians 5:15 f., where the injunction here given in reference to the non-Christians is couched in a general form. ἐν σοφίᾳ ] Practical Christian wisdom (not mere prudence; Chrysostom aptly quotes Matthew 10:16 ) is to be the element , in which their w…
ellicottColossians 4:5: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."
(5) Walk in wisdom . . . redeeming the time. —In the parallel passage ( Ephesians 5:15 ) we have “walk strictly, not as fools, but as wise,” and the limitation “towards them that are without” is omitted, although it is added that “the days are evil.” The context, as will be seen by reference, is different, and the idea also somewhat different. There the “strictness” and “wisdom” are to guard against excess or rec…
The instruction to "redeem the time" isn't just about managing your schedule; it's about actively "buying up" opportunities, treating each moment as a precious resource to be strategically invested for good. This means seizing the opportune moments to live wisely and speak graciously, rather than letting chances to witness and do good slip away passively.
The Apostle Paul is concluding his letter, moving from deeper theological instruction to practical advice for daily living. He's just urged the Colossian believers to be devoted in prayer and to be watchful, and now he shifts to how they should conduct themselves in their interactions with those outside the church. This shifts to instructions on how their speech should reflect their faith, even amidst challenging circumstances.
The Apostle Paul is concluding his letter, moving from deeper theological instruction to practical advice for daily living. He's just urged the Colossian believers to be devoted in prayer and to be watchful, and now he shifts to how they should conduct themselves in their interactions with those outside the church. This shifts to instructions on how their speech should reflect their faith, even amidst challenging circumstances.
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charis · Greek Adjective
Speech that is pleasing, acceptable, kind, and marked by the grace of God; it reflects the character of Christ in interactions with others.
halas · Greek Noun
A metaphor for qualities such as wisdom, purity, preservation, and making conversation palatable, interesting, or influential, similar to how salt seasons food.
The Great Fire of Rome leads to widespread destruction and subsequent persecution of Christians, who were scapegoated by Emperor Nero. This heightened the sense of urgency and danger for believers.
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." — The instruction to "redeem the time" isn't just about managing your schedule; it's about actively "buying up" opportunities, treating each moment as a precious resource to be strategically invested f…
