Colossians 4:5

Walk See above, on Colossians 1:10.

in wisdom In the "sanctified good sense" of those who would avoid all needless repulsion of word or manner, and seize all good occasion. Such practical wisdom was quite another thing than the would-be philosophy which he repudiates in e.g. 1 Corinthians 1:2. It was "the meekness of wisdom" (James 3:13; James 3:17) which would commend the disciple's witness in a life as practical in its goodness as it was divine in its secret. Cp. Ephesians 5:15.

toward With regard to; not (as some explain) in the sense of conciliation, as if "advancing to meetthem"; though such action is of course implied in its place.

them that are without Outside the Christian circle, "the household of faith." Cp. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:12 (a close parallel); 1 Timothy 3:7. They are "the Gentiles" of e.g. 1 Peter 2:12. The parallel phrase occurs in the Rabbis hachîtsônîm;see Lightfoot's note.

redeeming the time Buying out (from other ownership) the opportunity; securing each successive occasion of witness and persuasive example at the expense ofsteady watchfulness. Cp. Ephesians 5:16 (and our notes) for the same phrase with a more general reference. The disciple, while ready to confess his Lord anywhere and at any time, is yet to use Christian "wisdom," and not to despise laws of opportunity. The "out of season" of 2 Timothy 4:2 means, "irrespective of your ownconvenience." St Paul himself, in the Acts, is a perfect instance of the union of holy courage with the truest tact and good sense.