Ephesians 5:16

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

14Wherefore he says, Wake up, [thou] that sleepest, and arise up from among the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee. 15See therefore how ye walk carefully, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17For this reason be not foolish, but understanding what [is] the will of the Lord. 18And be not drunk with wine, in which is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,

Ephesians 5:16 word by word

ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν, ὅτι αἱ ἡμέραι πονηραί εἰσιν.Read the interlinear

• timeκαιρόςkairos · time/right timeG2540
• daysἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
• areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• evilπονηρόςponēros · evil/badG4190

Cross-references for Ephesians 5:16

• Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
• Romans 13:11This also, knowing the time, that it is already time that we should be aroused out of sleep; for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
• Galatians 6:10So then, as we have occasion, let us do good towards all, and specially towards those of the household of faith.
• Colossians 4:5Walk in wisdom towards those without, redeeming opportunities.
• Ephesians 6:13For this reason take [to you] the panoply of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having accomplished all things, to stand.
• Psalms 37:19they shall not be ashamed in the time of evil, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
• Ecclesiastes 11:2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
• Ecclesiastes 12:1And remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, of which thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
• Amos 5:13Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in this time; for it is an evil time.
• John 12:35Jesus therefore said to them, Yet a little while is the light amongst you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness may not overtake you. And he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.
• Acts 11:28and one from among them, by name Agabus, rose up and signified by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine over all the inhabited earth, which also came to pass under Claudius.
• 1 Corinthians 7:26I think then that this is good, on account of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man to remain so 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

• Wisdom
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Arise
• Awake
• Dear
• Ephesians, Epistle to
• Fellowship
• Flesh
• Fruit
• Light
• Melody
• Redeem

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