New English Translation
Ephesians 5:15
15Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise,
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
13But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. 14For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!” Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, 16taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is.
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 5:33Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
- Matthew 8:4Then Jesus said to him, “See that you do not speak to anyone, but go, show yourself to a priest, and bring the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
- Matthew 27:4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!” But they said, “What is that to us? You take care of it yourself!”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
- Hebrews 12:25Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns from heaven?
- 1 Peter 1:22You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
- Revelation 19:10So I threw myself down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “Do not do this! I am only a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony about Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
- Exodus 23:13“Pay attention to do everything I have told you, and do not even mention the names of other gods – do not let them be heard on your lips.
- Matthew 10:16“I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
- Philippians 1:27Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that – whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent – I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,
- Colossians 1:9For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
- Colossians 4:5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.
- 2 Samuel 24:10David felt guilty after he had numbered the army. David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly by doing this! Now, O Lord, please remove the guilt of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”
- Job 2:10But he replied, “You’re talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.
- Psalms 73:22I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was as senseless as an animal before you.
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries