New Living Translation
Colossians 4:5
5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
Colossians 4:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
- New International Version (NIV)Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Context of Colossians 4:5
3Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. 7Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work.
Read all of Colossians 4Colossians 4:5 word by word
Ἐν σοφίᾳ περιπατεῖτε πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω τὸν καιρὸν ἐξαγοραζόμενοι.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Colossians 4:5
- Colossians 3:16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
- Psalms 90:12Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
- Matthew 10:16“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.
- Romans 16:19But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.
- 1 Corinthians 14:19But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
- Ephesians 5:15So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
- James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
- James 3:13If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
- 1 Corinthians 5:12It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:12Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
- 1 Timothy 3:7Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
- 1 Peter 3:1In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over
- Ephesians 5:16Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Commentaries on Colossians 4:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Walk in wisdom - Act wisely and prudently in reference to them who are without - who yet continue unbelieving Gentiles or persecuting Jews. The Church of Christ was considered an enclosure; a field, or vineyard, well hedged or walled. Those who were not members of it, were considered without; i.e. not under that especial protection and defense which the true followers of Christ had. This has been since called "The pale of the Church," from palus, a stake…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Walk in wisdom - That is, conduct uprightly and honestly. Deal with them on the strictest principles of integrity, so that they may not have occasion to reproach the religion which you profess. Toward them that are without - Without the pale of the church, or who are not professing Christians; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 5:12. They were surrounded by pagans, as Christians now are by men of the world. The injunction is one that requires us to act with…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2-6Verses 2-6 No duties can be done aright, unless we persevere in fervent prayer, and watch therein with thanksgiving. The people are to pray particularly for their ministers. Believers are exhorted to right conduct towards unbelievers. Be careful in all converse with them, to do them good, and recommend religion by all fit means. Diligence in redeeming time, commends religion to the good opinion of others. Even what is only carelessness may cause a lasting…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5redeeming the time (literally buy up the time): Just like people buy up a product at a good price, Christians should take advantage of every opportunity God gives them to share the good news and serve others.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. (See on Ep 5:15, 16.) in wisdom--practical Christian prudence. them ... without--Those not in the Christian brotherhood (1Co 5:12; 1Th 4:12). The brethren, through love, will make allowances for an indiscreet act or word of a brother; the world will make none. Therefore be the more on your guard in your intercourse with the latter, lest you be a stumbling-block to their conversion. redeeming the time--The Greek expresses, buying up for yourselves, and…Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 4:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Colossians 4
- 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
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries