Ephesians 5:16 kjv
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:16 nkjv
redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:16 niv
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:16 esv
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:16 nlt
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Ephesians 5 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 5:15 | "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise," | Immediate context, call to carefulness |
| Eph 5:17 | "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." | Connecting understanding to action |
| Col 4:5 | "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time." | Parallel exhortation on time |
| Col 4:6 | "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." | Wise speech linked to time use |
| Phil 1:10 | "so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ," | Purity and discerning discernment |
| Phil 2:16 | "holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain." | Perseverance and purpose |
| Gal 6:10 | "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." | Doing good with opportunities |
| John 9:4 | "We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work." | Urgency of work, "day" imagery |
| Rom 13:11 | "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." | Wakefulness and proximity of salvation |
| Rom 13:12 | "The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." | Contrast of night and day |
| Titus 2:11-12 | "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age," | Present age focus on godly living |
| 1 Thess 5:6 | "So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and sober." | Call to wakefulness, soberness |
| Heb 11:40 | "provided for us something better, so that they might not be consummated without us." | Better things through faith's completion |
| 1 Pet 4:7 | "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for your prayers." | Urgency of end times, self-control |
| Matt 25:1-13 | Parable of the Ten Virgins - emphasizing preparedness | Preparedness and wisdom |
| Prov 6:6-8 | "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways, and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." | Wisdom from nature, preparation |
| Prov 27:1 | "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." | Uncertainty of the future |
| Eccl 9:10 | "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is no more work, no further knowledge, no wisdom." | Diligence in the present |
| Mark 13:33 | "Watch and pray, for you do not know when that time will come." | Watchfulness, uncertain timing |
| Luke 12:35-36 | "‘Let your belts be fastened, and your lamps lit, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.'" | Waiting, readiness |
Ephesians 5 verses
Ephesians 5 16 Meaning
Making the most of the time. This signifies redeeming opportunities and using time wisely. It's about purposeful living and valuing each moment.
Ephesians 5 16 Context
Ephesians 5:16 falls within a section (Ephesians 5:15-21) where Paul contrasts wise living with foolish living. This passage directly follows the command to "walk as children of light" and before the exhortation to understand the will of the Lord. The broader context of Ephesians is Paul's teaching on unity in Christ and how believers are to live in light of God's grace, reflecting their new identity. Historically, believers often faced opposition and the brevity of life was keenly felt. This instruction is practical advice for navigating daily life amidst spiritual realities.
Ephesians 5 16 Word analysis
"Making": The Greek word is "exagorazomenoi" (ἐξαγοραζόμενοι). It’s a present participle from the verb "exagorazo" (ἐξαγοράζω). This verb is formed from "ex" (ἐξ - out of) and "agora" (ἀγορά - market, marketplace) with the sense of buying up or purchasing out of. It carries a strong implication of redeeming something valuable that is being lost or wasted.
"the": A definite article.
"time": The Greek word is "ton kairon" (τὸν καιρὸν). This refers to an opportune moment, a specific season, or a suitable time. It's not just chronological time ("chronos") but qualitatively valuable time.
"redeeming": This word is part of the compound verb "exagorazomenoi," conveying the idea of purchasing back, or snatching away from loss.
Phrase analysis: "Making the most of the time" - This isn't just about managing minutes. It's a deliberate act of purposeful acquisition. It’s about recognizing the value of every opportunity God grants, understanding that time is a precious resource entrusted to us by God, and that each moment carries potential for His glory. The imagery is akin to buying up opportunities from a marketplace that might otherwise pass by or be wasted.
Ephesians 5 16 Bonus section
The concept of "redeeming the time" is deeply connected to the understanding that time is a gift from God, a sacred trust. It underscores the urgency of the Christian life, not in a way that induces anxiety, but as a motivation for diligent, faithful action. It speaks to our role as stewards of God’s resources, with time being one of the most significant. This principle contrasts sharply with a passive or apathetic approach to life, urging active engagement with opportunities for godly living and witness in a world that is spiritually "dark" (Eph 5:11). It reflects the urgency found in teachings about the return of Christ, prompting believers to live with readiness and purpose.
Ephesians 5 16 Commentary
This verse is a powerful call to intentional living. It challenges believers not to squander the moments God gives them. In the original Greek, "redeem the time" suggests buying something out of a marketplace that is in danger of being lost. It implies that time is a valuable commodity that can be seized and used for good before it expires. This requires wisdom, discernment, and a conscious effort to align our actions with God's will, rather than being passive or drifting through life. The focus is on the present opportunities and making the most of them because the "day is far spent" (Rom 13:12). This mindset of valuing time leads to responsible stewardship of our lives, prioritizing eternal values over fleeting pleasures or pointless pursuits.
- Practical Usage: This means prioritizing prayer and Bible study, serving others when the opportunity arises, using conversations to share truth, and engaging in good works. It means saying "no" to distractions that steal valuable time and "yes" to actions that honor God and build up the body of Christ.