Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Parallel translations
- WEB Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
- BSB Act wisely toward outsiders, 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 5:15–17See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
- Jas 3:13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
- 1 Th 4:12That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
- Jas 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
- Rom 16:19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
- Matt 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- Col 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
- 1 Tim 3:7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- Mark 4:11And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
- 1 Cor 5:12–13For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
- Jas 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
- 1 Cor 14:19–25Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
- 1 Pet 3:1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
- Ps 90:12So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
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Original language
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