Christian Standard Bible
Ephesians 5:16
16making the most of the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- New International Version (NIV)making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
- English Standard Version (ESV)making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
- New King James Version (NKJV)redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Context of Ephesians 5:16
14for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. 15Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:
Read all of Ephesians 5Ephesians 5:16 word by word
ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν, ὅτι αἱ ἡμέραι πονηραί εἰσιν.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ephesians 5:16
- Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
- Romans 13:11Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
- Galatians 6:10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
- Colossians 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.
- Ephesians 6:13For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
- Psalms 37:19They will not be disgraced in times of adversity; they will be satisfied in days of hunger.
- Ecclesiastes 11:2Give a portion to seven or even to eight, for you don’t know what disaster may happen on earth.
- Ecclesiastes 12:1So remember your Creator in the days of your youth: Before the days of adversity come, and the years approach when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;
- Amos 5:13Therefore, those who have insight will keep silent at such a time, for the days are evil.
- John 12:35Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going.
- Acts 11:28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius.
- 1 Corinthians 7:26Because of the present distress, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
Commentaries on Ephesians 5:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Redeeming the time - · Buying up those moments which others seem to throw away; steadily improving every present moment, that ye may, in some measure, regain the time ye have lost. Let time be your chief commodity; deal in that alone; buy it all up, and use every portion of it yourselves. Time is that on which eternity depends; in time ye are to get a preparation for the kingdom of God; if you get not this in time, your ruin is inevitable; therefore, buy…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Redeeming the time - The word rendered here as “redeeming,” means “to purchase; to buy up” from the possession or power of anyone; and then to redeem, to set free - as from service or bondage; notes, Galatians 3:13. Here it means, to rescue or recover our time from waste; to improve it for great and important purposes. Because the days are evil - Because the times in which you live are evil. There are many allurements and temptations that would lead you…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-21Verses 15-21 Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16redeeming the time: See also Colossians 4:5. the days are evil: see Matthew 24:6–12, 15–22; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–10.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Redeeming the time--(Col 4:5). Greek, "Buying up for yourselves the seasonable time" (whenever it occurs) of good to yourselves and to others. Buying off from the vanities of "them that are without" (Col 4:5), and of the "unwise" (here in Ephesians), the opportune time afforded to you for the work of God. In a narrower sense, special favorable seasons for good, occasionally presenting themselves, are referred to, of which believers ought diligently to…Read the comment
Topics related to Ephesians 5:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ephesians 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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