New English Translation
Ephesians 5:16
16taking advantage of every opportunity, 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 everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!” 15Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking 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. 18And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, 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 you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go.
- Romans 13:11And do this because we know the time, that it is already the hour for us to awake from sleep, for our salvation is now nearer than when we became believers.
- Galatians 6:10So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.
- Colossians 4:5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.
- Ephesians 6:13For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.
- Psalms 37:19They will not be ashamed when hard times come; when famine comes they will have enough to eat.
- Ecclesiastes 11:2Divide your merchandise among seven or even eight investments, for you do not know what calamity may happen on earth.
- Ecclesiastes 12:1So remember your Creator in the days of your youth – before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
- Amos 5:13For this reason whoever is smart keeps quiet in such a time, for it is an evil time.
- John 12:35Jesus replied, “The light is with you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
- Acts 11:28One of them, named Agabus, got up and predicted by the Spirit that a severe famine was about to come over the whole inhabited world. (This took place during the reign of Claudius.)
- 1 Corinthians 7:26Because of the impending crisis I think it best for you to remain as you are.
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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