God’s Word Translation
Ephesians 5:15
15So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people.
Ephesians 5:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
- New International Version (NIV)Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
- New King James Version (NKJV)See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
Context of Ephesians 5:15
13Light exposes the true character of everything 14because light makes everything easy to see. That’s why it says: “Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people. 16Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. 17So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants.
Read all of Ephesians 5Ephesians 5:15 word by word
Βλέπετε οὖν ἀκριβῶς πῶς περιπατεῖτε μὴ ὡς ἄσοφοι ἀλλ᾽ ὡς σοφοί,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ephesians 5:15
- Ephesians 5:33But every husband must love his wife as he loves himself, and wives should respect their husbands.
- Matthew 8:4Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this! Instead, show yourself to the priest. Then offer the sacrifice Moses commanded as proof to people that you are clean.”
- Matthew 27:4He said, “I’ve sinned by betraying an innocent man.” They replied, “What do we care? That’s your problem.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.
- Hebrews 12:25Be careful that you do not refuse to listen when God speaks. Your ancestors didn’t escape when they refused to listen to God, who warned them on earth. We certainly won’t escape if we turn away from God, who warns us from heaven.
- 1 Peter 1:22Love each other with a warm love that comes from the heart. After all, you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. As a result you have a sincere love for each other.
- Revelation 19:10I bowed at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Don’t do that! I am your coworker and a coworker of the Christians who hold on to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy!”
- Exodus 23:13“Be careful ⌞to do⌟ everything I told you. “Never mention the names of other gods or let them be heard on your lips.
- Matthew 10:16“I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as snakes but as innocent as doves.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20Brothers and sisters, don’t think like children. When it comes to evil, be like babies, but think like mature people.
- Philippians 1:27Live as citizens who reflect the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I’ll hear all about you. I’ll hear that you are firmly united in spirit, united in fighting for the faith that the Good News brings.
- Colossians 1:9For this reason we have not stopped praying for you since the day we heard about you. We ask ⌞God⌟ to fill you with the knowledge of his will through every kind of spiritual wisdom and insight.
- Colossians 4:5Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside ⌞the Christian faith⌟. Make the most of your opportunities.
- 2 Samuel 24:10After David counted the people, his conscience troubled him. David said to the Lord, “I have committed a terrible sin by what I have done. Lord, please forgive me because I have acted very foolishly.”
- Job 2:10He said to her, “You’re talking like a godless fool. We accept the good that God gives us. Shouldn’t we also accept the bad?” Through all this Job’s lips did not utter one sinful word.
- Psalms 73:22I was stupid, and I did not understand. I was like a dumb animal in your presence.
Commentaries on Ephesians 5:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15Walk circumspectly - Our 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 word signifies correctly, accurately, consistently, or perfectly. Be ye, who have received the truth, careful of your conduct; walk by the rule…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly - carefully, anxiously, solicitous lest you fall into sin. The word rendered “circumspectly” - ̓͂ akribōs- means “diligently,” and the idea here is, that they were to take special pains to guard against the temptations around them, and to live as they ought to. Not as fools, but as wise - Not as the people of this world live, indulging in foolish pleasures and desires, but as those who have been taught to understand…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. 15Foolish people do not understand God and his ways. Wise people know God and understand his ways (see Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:7; 2:1–22).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. that--rather as Greek, "See how ye walk," &c. The double idea is compressed into one sentence: "See (take heed) how ye walk," and "See that ye walk circumspectly." The manner, as well as the act itself, is included. See how ye are walking, with a view to your being circumspect (literally, accurate, exact) in your walk. Compare Col 4:5, "Walk in wisdom (answering to 'as wise' here) toward them that are without" (answering to "circumspectly," that is…Read the comment
Topics related to Ephesians 5:15
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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