Biblion Bible Commentary
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Redeeming the Time
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, · WEB
Three verses on how to walk, and the reason given for urgency is a plain assessment of the age.
Therefore watch carefully how you walk. The verb is about looking where one is going, and the letter has used walking for the whole of conduct since chapter 2 — the readers once walked in transgressions, then were told to walk worthily, in love, and as children of light Ephesians 2:2 Ephesians 4:1 Ephesians 5:2 Ephesians 5:8.
The contrast is not as unwise, but as wise, and wisdom in this letter is practical rather than speculative. It was asked for in the opening prayer Ephesians 1:17, displayed to the powers through the church Ephesians 3:10, and here it comes down to attention.
Verse 16 gives the one instruction: redeeming the time. The verb is commercial — buying something out of the market, the same root used of Christ redeeming from a curse in another letter Galatians 3:13. Time is treated as something to be purchased rather than spent, and the letter assumes a limited supply.
The reason is stated without elaboration: because the days are evil. Not because they are short, and not because the end is near. The character of the age is given as the ground for buying up its opportunities, which is the opposite of the conclusion a reader might draw — evil days are a reason to engage rather than to wait.
Verse 17 closes with the alternative to folly, and it is again about knowing: understand what the will of the Lord is. The letter has said God's will was made known as a mystery Ephesians 1:9, and it now asks the readers to grasp it — which prepares the paragraph on being filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18.
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