Colossians 4:5
Colossians 4:5 in Multiple Translations
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time.
Behave wisely with outsiders, making the best use of every opportunity.
Walke wisely towarde them that are without, and redeeme the season.
in wisdom walk ye toward those without, the time forestalling;
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Walk in wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time.
Walk with wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time.
Act wisely towards those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus [MTY]; use every opportunity to do that.
And you too, whenever you are with people that don’t believe in Jesus, if you can tell them about him, you have to do it. Be sensible in how you live with those people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Colossians 4:5
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Colossians 4:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Colossians 4:5
Study Notes — Colossians 4:5
- Context
- Cross References
- Colossians 4:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Colossians 4:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Colossians 4:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
- Cambridge Bible on Colossians 4:5
- Barnes' Notes on Colossians 4:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
- Sermons on Colossians 4:5
Context — Prayerful Speech and Actions
5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ephesians 5:15–17 | Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. |
| 2 | 1 Thessalonians 4:12 | Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | 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. |
| 5 | 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. |
| 6 | Matthew 10:16 | Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. |
| 7 | 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. |
| 8 | 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. |
| 9 | 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, |
| 10 | 1 Corinthians 5:12–13 | What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” |
Colossians 4:5 Summary
[This verse reminds us to be thoughtful and intentional in how we interact with people who do not know Christ, making the most of every opportunity to show them God's love and share the Gospel. By being wise and gracious in our words and actions, we can reflect the character of Christ and point others to Him, as seen in Matthew 5:16. Acting wisely toward outsiders involves being mindful of our behavior and speech, and looking for ways to bring glory to God in all our interactions, whether at home, at work, or in our communities. As we strive to live out this wisdom, we can trust that God will use us to make a positive impact on those around us, just as He promises in 2 Corinthians 5:20.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'act wisely toward outsiders' in Colossians 4:5?
Acting wisely toward outsiders means being mindful of how our behavior and words impact those who do not know Christ, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, where Paul adapts his approach to reach different groups of people.
How can we 'redeem the time' as mentioned in Colossians 4:5?
Redeeming the time involves making the most of every opportunity to share the Gospel and live out our faith, as encouraged in Ephesians 5:16, where we are told to make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.
Is this verse only for evangelism or does it apply to all areas of life?
While this verse has implications for evangelism, its wisdom applies to all interactions with non-believers, whether in personal, professional, or community settings, similar to the principle in Romans 12:17-18, where we are called to live at peace with everyone.
How does this verse relate to our speech, as mentioned in the surrounding verses?
The wisdom in interacting with outsiders is closely tied to the way we speak, as Colossians 4:6 emphasizes the importance of gracious and seasoned speech, highlighting the need for both wise actions and wise words in our interactions with others, reflecting the teachings of Proverbs 15:1-2 on the impact of our words.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I demonstrate wisdom in my interactions with those who do not share my faith, and what are the potential consequences of not doing so?
- What are some practical steps I can take to 'redeem the time' in my daily life, making the most of every opportunity to live out my faith?
- How can I balance being wise and gracious in my speech and actions toward outsiders, without compromising the truth of the Gospel or my own integrity?
- What are some common obstacles or challenges that might hinder me from acting wisely toward outsiders, and how can I overcome them with the help of Scripture and prayer?
Gill's Exposition on Colossians 4:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Colossians 4:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
Trapp's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
Ellicott's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
Cambridge Bible on Colossians 4:5
Barnes' Notes on Colossians 4:5
Whedon's Commentary on Colossians 4:5
Sermons on Colossians 4:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Youth Ministry by Voddie Baucham | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the purpose and plan of the College and Careers ministry. Their purpose is to see unbelieving students become committed followers of Jesus Chr |
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Is It Ok to Have a Beer as a Christian? by Bob Jennings | This sermon discusses the balance between being 'all things to all men' and maintaining biblical principles, particularly in the context of engaging in activities like pub theology |
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Joshua (Part 4) by Richard Sipley | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about how his congregation built an education building in Miami in just nine months, without incurring any debt. He emphasizes t |
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Redeeming the Time by William B. Riley | William B. Riley emphasizes the importance of redeeming our time for God, sharing a personal story of a boy he spoke to years ago who later became a pastor. He reflects on the prof |
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The Prison Epistles 08 Balanced chr.life by David Clifford | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Colossians chapter 4 and highlights three exhortations: prayer, walk, and speech. The first exhortation is about prayer, emphasizing the impo |
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Third Decade 3.9.1985 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of believers being witnesses and sharing the reality and life in Christ with others. They highlight the significance of person |
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Doulosministry March 1982 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience with a close friend who showed him the incredible capabilities of a computer. He also mentions the success of the book exhibition |






