Bible Strands
Colossians 4:5
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Colossian church in the closing practical section (ch. 4), between a request for prayer for his own ministry (v. 4) and instructions on speech (v. 6).
The words — καιρὸν (kairon) does not mean mere chronological duration but a specific, opportune moment; "redeeming the time" is thus an act of seizing a window that will not recur.
The thread — Ephesians 5:15–16 pairs "walk wisely" with "redeeming the time" almost verbatim; 1 Thessalonians 4:12 links proper conduct "toward outsiders" with independence from others.
Why it lands — It treats every encounter with a non-believer as a finite, recoverable opportunity and demands that the response be deliberate rather than reactive.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 5:15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
- James 3:13 Who 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 Thessalonians 4:12 Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
- 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.
- Romans 16:19 Everyone 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.
- Colossians 3:16 Let 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.
- Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- 1 Timothy 3:7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
- Mark 4:11 He 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 Corinthians 5:12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?