Ephesians 5:15-17; Colossians 4:5
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (1899-1981): The apostle is saying something very important. His great concern is that all Christians should realize the difference between themselves and those who are not Christians. The Christian has the wisdom of God in Jesus Christ. He knows things, he has an insight into life that nobody else has; and what he must do, therefore, is to “walk circumspectly.” He must understand the condition of the world in which he lives—the days are evil.
CHARLES BRIDGES (1794-1869): In a path where every step is strewed with snares, and beset with enemies, great need have we of the caution to “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.”
THE EDITOR: What exactly does it mean to “walk circumspectly?”
MATTHEW WILKS (1746-1829): Did you ever see a tom cat walking on the top of a high wall that was covered with bits of broken glass bottles? If so, you had just then an accurate illustration of what is meant by the injunction, “See that you walk circumspectly.”
ADAM CLARKE (1760-1832): Our English word circumspect, from the Latin circirmspicio, signifies to look round about on all hands; to be every way watchful, wary, and cautious, in order to avoid danger, discern enemies before they come too nigh, and secure a man’s interest by every possible and lawful means. But the original Greek word ακριβως signifies correctly, accurately, consistently, or perfectly. Be ye, who have received the truth, careful of your conduct; walk by the rule which God has given you; do this as well in little as in great matters; exemplify your principles, which are holy and good, by a corresponding conduct; do not only profess, but live the Gospel. As you embrace all its promises, be careful also to embrace all its precepts; and behave yourselves so, that your enemies may never be able to say that ye are holy in your doctrines and profession, but irregular in your lives.
MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): Circumspect walking is the effect of true wisdom…It follows, “redeeming the time”—which literally means “buying the opportunity.” It is a metaphor taken from merchants and traders who diligently observe and improve the seasons for merchandise and trade. It is a great part of Christian wisdom to “redeem” the time.
RICHARD BAXTER (1615-1691): Time being man’s opportunity for all those works for which he liveth and which his Creator doth expect from him—the redeeming or well improving of it must necessarily be of most high importance to him.
MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: And so, we see that the Christian regards his life in this world primarily as a great opportunity—an opportunity of behaving as light, and an opportunity of witnessing to the grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ. In this way, he redeems the time, buying up the opportunities…What, then, are we to do? How are we to redeem the time?
JOHN FLAVEL (1630-1691): By the redemption of time, we must understand the study, care, and diligence of Christians at the rate of all possible pains, at the expense of all earthly pleasures, ease, and gratifications of the flesh to rescue their precious seasons, both of salvation and service, out of the hands of temptations that so commonly rob unwary souls of them.
RICHARD BAXTER: To redeem time is to see that we cast none of it away in vain but use every minute of it as a most precious thing.
OCTAVIUS WINSLOW (1808-1878): Gathering up its unemployed hours, its spare moments; redeeming it from sleep, from frivolous calls, from vain recreation.
THOMAS MANTON (1620-1677): All complain of the shortness of time, and yet everyone hath more time than he useth well.
JONATHAN EDWARDS (1703-1758): We should set a high value upon time and be exceedingly careful that it is not lost.
MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: But how do we do so? What kind of a life must we live? The first essential, I say, is this: it must be an ordered life. It must be a disciplined life…Paul is not merely exhorting us not to waste our time. He is very positive. He says you must go out of your way to seek opportunities. You see, it is so much stronger than the negative, though the negative is, of course, included. You cannot do this if you are wasting your time. But it is not only that. Be alert, be alive, seek opportunities.
RICHARD SIBBES (1577-1635): One special and particular instance of their walking wisely is redeeming the time because the days are evil, which is done when they lose no opportunity of doing good to others. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” Galatians 6:10.
MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: And so, you watch for your opportunities. You may be sitting in the train next to somebody.
THE EDITOR: Or perhaps sitting beside someone on an airplane.
MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: They begin to express their opinions, and you are able “to buy up the opportunity.” They may start by saying, “Isn’t it awful?” You do not just say, “Yes, isn’t it?” You say, “But why is it awful do you think? What is the cause of all this?” You have taken your opportunity. Let them speak. You do not suddenly go to them and say, “Are you saved?” Oh, no, you must be wise—he that is wise winneth souls,” Proverbs 11:30. Listen to their conversation. If they express a criticism or an opinion, be ready to use the Christian message. Lead them on to linking what is said to eternal principles. Or they may ask you questions. What a heaven-sent opportunity!—It is amazing how constantly people are presenting us with these very opportunities. Yes, but are we buying them up, are we looking for them? Are we always ready to improve the occasion? That is what the apostle is telling us to do. Or again, we must keep our eyes open and watch what is happening to people…When their hearts are tender, let us be there and let us be ready.
CHARLES BRIDGES: We must not only lay ourselves out to do good, but to watch the fittest seasons of doing it. Under affliction, or tender impressions of conviction, “a word fitly spoken” might be as the descent of our gracious Lord to the soul, “like rain upon the mown grass,” Psalm 72:6; Proverbs 25:11.
JOHN TRAPP (1601-1699): Grace grows by exercise, and is impaired by idleness…The common complaint is, We lack time; but the truth is, we do not so much lack it as waste it.
WILLIAM GURNALL (1617-1679): An idle man does none good.
C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): God forgive our idle silence and silence our idle words!
THOMAS WATSON (1620-1686): A man has not time for which he is not accountable to God…As we shall answer for “idle words,” so we shall answer for sinful silence.
MAXINE COLLINS (1920-1984): I have but today, may I make it tell
Not in history books, but that I used it well
For Jesus.
Just today, yesterday is gone
Tomorrow yet to come;
And between them hung
Is that space, of time and place
That is this day, this hour, this minute
This one breath is all that I can claim
May its aim, be to proclaim:
Jesus.
MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: Redeem the time—buy up the opportunity.
