Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Parallel translations
- WEB Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
- KJV Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
- NKJV Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
- NASB Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
- NLT Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Believers should act wisely toward non-Christians and make the most of every opportunity. It matters because how we live before outsiders commends or undermines the gospel.
Overview
Paul turns from his own witness to the church's conduct toward 'those who are outside' the faith. Walking 'in wisdom' means living with discernment and integrity so that one's life adorns the message. 'Redeeming the time' calls believers to seize fleeting opportunities for gospel witness, making good use of every season.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Eph 5:15–17Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
- Jas 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- 1 Th 4:12Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
- Jas 3:17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Rom 16:19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
- Matt 10:16Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- Col 3:16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
- 1 Tim 3:7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
- Mark 4:11He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,
- 1 Cor 5:12–13What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
- Jas 1:5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- 1 Cor 14:19–25But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
- 1 Pet 3:1Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives
- Ps 90:12So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.
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Original language
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