Colossians 4:5
in Colossians 4Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
KJV
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
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This verse in Colossians 4
Commentary
11 notes on this verseThen he shows how they should act towards outsiders: first, as to their manner of life; secondly, in what they say (v. 6). Paul says, conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, that is, unbelievers. And do so wisely, with wisdom: "For God loves nothing so much …
This site's exposition
Act wisely toward outsiders
on Colossians 4:5-6
Speech seasoned with salt was a Greek idiom for wit, and the letter turns it to wholesome speech that preserves. The aim is readiness, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
For it is necessary for us to walk among unbelievers and engage in conversations for the sake of worldly conversation. This is what it reminds us, that our conversation should be with wisdom itself because of the offense of the Gentiles, so that they may …
"Walk in wisdom" he saith, "towards them that are without, redeeming the time." That is, the time is not yours, but theirs. Do not then wish to have your own way, but redeem the time. And he said not simply, "Buy," but "redeem," making it yours after another manner. For it were the part of excessive madness, to invent occasions of war and enmity. For over and above the undergoing of superfluous and profitless dangers, there is this additional harm, that the Greeks will not come over to us. For when thou art amongst the brethren, reason is thou shouldest be bold; but when without, thou oughtest not to be so. Seest thou how everywhere he speaks of those without, the Greeks? Wherefore also when writing to Timothy, he said, "Moreover, he must have good testimony from them that are without." (1 Tim. iii. 7.) And again, "For what have I to do with judging them that are without." (1 Cor. v. 12.) "Walk in wisdom," he saith, "toward them that are without." For "without," they are, even though they live in the same world with us, seeing they are without the kingdom, and the paternal mansion. And he comforts them withal, by calling the others "without," as he said above, "Your life is hid with Christ in God." (Col. iii. 3.) Then, he saith, seek ye glory, then honors, then all those other things, but not so now, but give them up to those without.
What Christ said to His disciples, that doth Paul also now advise. And what did Christ say? "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matt. x. 16.) That is, be upon your guard, giving them no handle against you. For therefore it is added, "towards them that are without," in order that we may know that against our own members we have no need of so much caution as against those without. For where brethren are, there are both many allowances and kindnesses. There is indeed need of caution even here; but much more without, for it is not the same to be amongst enemies and foes, and amongst friends. Then because he had alarmed them, see how again he encourages them; "Redeeming," he saith, "the time": that is, the present time is short. Now this he said, not wishing them to be crafty, nor hypocrites, (for this is not a part of wisdom, but of senselessness,) but what? In matters wherein they harm you not, he means, give them no handle; as he says also, when writing to the Romans, "Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, honor to whom honor." (Rom. xiii. 7.) On account of the Preaching alone have thou war, he saith, let this war have none other origin. For though they were to become our foes for other causes besides, yet neither shall we have a reward, and they will become worse, and will seem to have just complaints against us. For instance, if we pay not the tribute, if we render not the honors that are due, if we be not lowly.
The Medieval Church1 voice
What the Lord said: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16), the same thing he now says as well: be cautious and do not give outsiders any cause …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, that is, dangerous, or times of trouble and suffering. And towards others, or those who are within as well as those who are without, "Let your speech be always with grace,
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes
4 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Walk in wisdom,.... Or wisely, circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise men; See Gill on Eph 5:15. Towards them that are without; so the Jews used to call the Gentiles, all that were out of their own land, that were not of their nation or religion, who were aliens from them, and strangers to their privileges; and sometimes the unbelieving. Jews bear the same character, see Mar 4:
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Walk in wisdom - That is, conduct uprightly and honestly. Deal with them on the strictest principles of integrity, so that they may not have occasion to reproach the religion which you profess. Toward them that are without - Without the pale of the church, or who are not professing Christians; see the notes at 1Co 5:12. They were surrounded by pagans, as Christians now are by men of the world.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
(See on Eph 5:15, 16.) in wisdom--practical Christian prudence. them . . . without--Those not in the Christian brotherhood (1Co 5:12; The brethren, through love, will make allowances for an indiscreet act or word of a brother; the world will make none.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
Walk in wisdom - Act wisely and prudently in reference to them who are without - who yet continue unbelieving Gentiles or persecuting Jews. The Church of Christ was considered an enclosure; a field, or vineyard, well hedged or walled. Those who were not members of it, were considered without; i.e. not under that especial protection and defense which the true followers of Christ had. This has been since called “The pale of the Church,” from palus, a stake; or, as Dr. Johnson defines it, “A narrow piece of wood, joined above and below to a rail, to enclose grounds.” As to be a Christian was essential to the salvation of the soul, so to be in the Church of Christ was essential to the being a Christian; therefore it was concluded that “there was no salvation out of the pale of the Church.” Now this is true in all places where the doctrines of Christianity are preached; but when one description of people professing Christianity, with their own peculiar mode of worship and creed, arrogate to themselves, exclusive of all others, the title of The Church; and then, on the ground of a maxim which is true in itself, but falsely understood and applied by them, assert that, as they are The Church, and there is no Church besides, then you must be one of them, believe as they believe, and worship as they worship, or you will be infallibly damned; I say, when this is asserted, every man who feels he has an immortal spirit is called on to examine the pretensions of such spiritual monopolists. Now, as the Church of Christ is formed on the foundation of the prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone, the doctrines of this Christian Church must be sought for in the sacred Scriptures. As to fathers, councils, and human authorities of all kinds, they are, in this question, lighter than vanity; the book of God alone must decide. […]
The words behind it
9 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ἐν | en | In | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| σοφίᾳ | sophia | wisdom | G4678 → | 51 times |
| περιπατεῖτε | peripateite | do walk | G4043 → | 94 times |
| πρὸς | pros | toward | G4314 → | 700 times |
| τοὺς | tous | those | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἔξω | exo | outside | G1854 → | |
| τὸν | ton | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| καιρὸν | kairon | time | G2540 → | |
| ἐξαγοραζόμενοι. | exagorazomenoi | redeeming. | G1805 → |
ἘνIn
enG1722 →2738 times
σοφίᾳwisdom
sophiaG4678 →51 times
περιπατεῖτεdo walk
peripateiteG4043 →94 times
πρὸςtoward
prosG4314 →700 times
τοὺςthose
tousG3588 →19766 times
ἔξωoutside
exoG1854 →
τὸνthe
tonG3588 →19766 times
καιρὸνtime
kaironG2540 →
ἐξαγοραζόμενοι.redeeming.
exagorazomenoiG1805 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
James 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.
it leads to
- Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- James 3:15
Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
- Galatians 5:22–23
Through
James 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.
it leads to
- Galatians 5:23
gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- 1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
- Galatians 5:23
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Colossians
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, Commentary on Colossians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Colossians 11; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Colossians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Colossians.