Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 41

Paul Exhorts the Believers in Colosse to be Wise Amid Unbelievers

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. KJV

Immediately after Paul exhorts these Colossian believers to continue in prayer earnestly for themselves and for him and those with him in prison for preaching the Gospel of Christ, the Apostle Paul now exhorts these believers and we believers today to live wisely among non-believers as well as the non-believers who literally worship the enemy of our souls the devil i.e. (all that are mentioned by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:9-14) by saying, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." (Colossians 4:5) (KJV). The English word 'walk' is translated by the Greek word peripateo meaning figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or disciple): The English word 'wisdom' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word sophia meaning to be clear or wise in (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual knowledge): The English word 'toward' is translated by the Greek word pros which is a preposition of direction; forward to, that is, toward (with the genitive case the side of, that is, pertaining to; In compounds it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at. Lastly, in this instructional exhortation of the Apostle Paul to these Colossian believers and also to we believers today the English phrase 'them that are without' is translated by one Greek word exo which is an adverb that comes from the tiny Greek preposition ex denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds); figuratively those outside of salvation in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, that is, outside of His Spiritual Body (the Church, His Bride); those not having union or communion with Christ spiritually through the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, in other words, combining all of this we find Paul warning these Colossian believers to walk or live wisely among the enemies of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:18), even as our Lord Jesus Himself warned the first disciples/Apostles of this very thing with these words spoken to them, "Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary {and} wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves. Be on guard against men [whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God]; for they will deliver you up to councils and flog you in their synagogues, And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a witness to bear testimony before them and to the Gentiles (the nations). But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how {or} what you are to speak; for what you are to say will be given you in that very hour {and} moment, For it is not you who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children will take a stand against their parents and will have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake, but he who perseveres {and} endures to the end will be saved [from spiritual disease and death in the world to come]. When they persecute you in one town [that is, pursue you in a manner that would injure you and cause you to suffer because of your belief], flee to another town; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant {or} slave above his master. It is sufficient for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant {or} slave like his master. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub [master of the dwelling], how much more will they speak evil of those of His household. [II Kings 1:2.] So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known." (Matthew 10:16-26) (Amplified Bible). Note: "2 Kings 1:2 refers to the 'god of Ekron', that is, Beelzebub our Lord Jesus refers to here, which is literally and figuratively only another name for the devil (who is the god worshipped by those referred to in Deuteronomy 18:9-14 that we mentioned above)."

Finally, Paul exhorts them to be vigilant in 'redeeming the time' or the days or era or region of the world in which they find themselves occupying or living in during their God ordained life span. The English word 'redeeming' Paul uses here in this verse is translated by the Greek word exagorazo meaning figuratively to rescue from loss (improve opportunity): - redeem. In other words, Paul wants these Colossian believers and we believers today to understand that the message of the Cross is foolishness to them that are outside (1 Corinthians 1:18), therefore, they (energized by the devil) will seek to destroy that message and every person bringing that message. Also, Paul wanted them then to know and understand then how evil the times where they were living in and the same would be said by Paul of these days in 2017 the year of our Lord we find ourselves living in today. It was Paul's desire then for these Colossian believers that they live wisely being cautious and wary of the times, places, and circumstances they found themselves in, he says the same to we believers today, for Paul was not writing this without his own knowledge and experience for he was writing this letter from prison for bringing the message of the Cross of Christ everywhere he went and this is how he likewise advised the believers in Ephesus with these words, "Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully {and} worthily {and} accurately, not as the unwise {and} witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16) (Amplified Bible) and also as he instructed the believers in Thessalonica with these words written to them, "To make it your ambition {and} definitely endeavor to live quietly {and} peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you, So that you may bear yourselves becomingly {and} be correct {and} honorable {and} command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] {and} having need of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) (Amplified Bible).

"The Apostle exhorts them further to a prudent and decent conduct towards all those with whom they conversed, towards the heathen world, or those out of the Christian Church among whom they lived: Walk in wisdom towards those who are without. Be careful, in all your converse with them, to get no hurt by them, or contract any of their customs; for evil communications corrupt good manners; and to do not hurt to them, or increase their prejudices against religion, and give them an occasion of dislike. Yea, do them all the good you can, and by all the fittest means and in the proper seasons recommend religion to them. - Redeeming the time; that is, either 'improving every opportunity of doing them good, and making the best use of your time in proper duty' (diligence in redeeming time very much recommends religion to the good opinion of others), or else 'walking cautiously and with circumspections, to give them no advantage against you, nor expose yourselves to their malice and ill-will,'. Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, that is, dangerous, or times of trouble and suffering." Matthew Henry

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…