Colossians 4:5

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

'WALK IN WISDOM' -'Conduct yourselves with wisdom' (NASV); 'Show tact in your behaviour' (TCNT); 'Be prudent' (Knox). Ephesians 5:15.

'TOWARD THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT' -i.e. non-Christians.

Points to Note:

1. The connection between this verse and the previous statements is that our "conduct" can help open up an opportunity for teaching or it can equally shut down any chance of teaching the lost (Titus 2:5).

2. Barclay notes, that this infers that every Christian is. 'missionary"..'He must never give the impression of superiority and of censorious criticism...On the Christian there is laid the great responsibility of showing men Christ in his daily life.' (Matthew 5:16) (p. 167)

3. The cause of Christ can't afford members who argue, 'But this is just the way that. am...I'm caustic or offensive just by nature.' We must get it into our heads that we are representing Jesus Christ to lost men and women (1 Corinthians 11:1).

4. 'In wisdom' suggests. Christianity that is balanced, or as Eadie notes, 'they are also to exhibit, at the same time, not only the purity of the gospel, but its amiability, its strictness of principle in union with its loveliness of temper, its generosity as well as its rectitude, and its charity not less than its devoutness and zeal..' (p. 274) Which simply means that we cannot afford to present. one-sided or unbalanced gospel.

5. Bruce reminds us, 'It remains true that the reputation of the gospel is bound up with the behavior of those who claim to have experienced its saving power. People who do not read the Bible for themselves or listen to the preaching of the word of God can see the lives of those who do, and can form their judgement accordingly.' (p. 174)

6. That last observation is very important. Many people are not going to invest the time to read and understand the Bible, unless they see biblical truths concretely applied in someone's life. They first need to see that such. life can be lived! That what the gospel claims is credible.

7. In addition, always remember that many people have been told lies and have been given misinformation about the Bible or Christianity. Consistent and balanced applied Christianity can go. long way in convincing someone that they need to give this another look.

8. This verse also infers that the non-Christian is "without", i.e. they aren't saved.. line between lost and saved does exist! (Mark 16:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8)

'REDEEMING' -1805. exagorazo ex-ag-or-ad'-zo; from 1537 and 59; to buy up, i.e. ransom; figuratively, to rescue from loss (improve opportunity): -redeem.

-'buying up the opportunity' (Vincent p. 510), 'the preposition..denotes an extensive activity,. buying which exhausts the possibilities available.' (O'Brien p. 241)

'THE TIME' -'implies. critical epoch,. special opportunity, which may soon pass: "grasp it", says the apostle; "buy it up while it lasts" (Bruce p. 174) (Ephesians 5:16)

Points to Note:

1. 'The sense then would be "Do not just sit there and wait for opportunity to fall into your lap, but go after it...Buy up the entire stock of opportunity."' (Hendriksen p. 183)

2. Part of "walking in wisdom" includes the willingness to be on the outlook for opportunities to teach and convert. 'Every season for exercising such wisdom is to be eagerly improved, or not opportunity for its display is to be trifled with or lost.' (Eadie p. 274)

3. This verse infers: (1) Every Christian is given opportunities (Galatians 6:10), i.e. they surround us. (2) We must cooperate with such, i.e. be willing to adjust or lives or schedules to take advantage of them. (3) They won't last forever.