Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16 Berean

And lets check out this rendering of the text:

Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16 Amplified

Similar Scriptures

Verse 15

Proverbs 15:21
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

Ephesians 5:2
and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Verse 16

Ephesians 6:13
Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

Colossians 4:5
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.

Select Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) See then that ye walk (properly, how ye walk) circumspectly.–The word rendered “circumspectly” is properly strictly, or accurately–generally used of intellectual accuracy or thoroughness (as in Matthew 2:8; Luke 1:3; Acts 18:25; Acts 18:28; 1Thessalonians 5:2); only here and in Acts 26:5 (“the straitest sect of our religion”) of moral strictness. The idea, therefore, is not of looking round watchfully against dangers, but of “seeing,” that is, being careful, “how we walk strictly;” of finding out the clear line of right, and then keeping to it strictly, so as not “to run uncertainly.” In the corresponding passage in the Colossian Epistle (Colossians 4:5) a similar admonition has especial reference “to those without,” and bids us have a resolute unity of aim, a distinct religious profession, amidst all the bewildering temptations of the world. Here it is more general; it bids men not to trust wholly to general rightness of heart, in which “the spirit is willing,” but to be watchful over themselves, and to be a law to themselves, “because the flesh is weak.” . . .

Pulpit Commentary
Verse 15. – Take heed then how ye walk strictly. The construction is somewhat peculiar, combining two ideas – see that you walk strictly, but consider well the kind of strictness. Do not walk loosely, without fixed principles of action; but make sure that your rules are of the true kind. Many are strict who are not wisely strict; they have rules, but not good rules. Not as unwise, but as wise. This rendering brings out the force of ἄσοφοι and σοφυὶ: “fools” (A.V.) is rather strong, for it is not utter folly that is reproved, but easy-mindedness, want of earnest consideration in a matter so infinitely vital, so as to know what is truly best.

My Pondering

This passages reminds not to take time for granted. Our earthly lives are not ideal (full of evil) compared to our eternal dwelling. We are to take full advantage of opportunities which shall impact eternity. This time is important and not to ‘just pass it by’ or get lost in worldliness. We are to live on purpose and engage our destiny and other people.

People may not remember our names, even our faces but they do remember how you made them feel. I think each Christian is called to:

Build bridges of grace that will support the weight of truth.

Mark Vrogop

Like Paul encouraged us to ‘run the race as to win the prize, an eternal one’.

I also appreciate this quote:

Time has been given to you for one reason—so you can fulfill your destiny.

Your time and the way you use it are intimately linked with purpose and destiny. Knowing and living your purpose gives you God’s perspective on the use of your time.

Tony Evans, Called for a Purpose

Solomon prompted us herein:

“there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven”

It also says that God “has made everything appropriate in its time”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 / 11

So let us make the most of ALL our time around the Circle of Life, whatever that might be, let’s to it intentionally, passionately, purposely, all in love, succinctly as the season permits, and wise as possible.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, You are in and out of time, space and matter. Help me to make the most of the time You have given me. Show me how my choices result in me wasting the time. Make everything I do purposeful, even sleep, rest and relaxation that You have given me. Enable me to use it all in line with the wonderful purpose for which You have created me. In Jesus’s name, Amen 🙏.