Colossians 4:5

5. Intercourse with persons outside the Church, Colossians 4:5-6.

5. Walk in wisdom The social relations of Christians with non-Christians, and the proper manner of life in respect to them, constitute one of the most important topics of the epistle. Heathens then, as worldly men do now, largely judged Christianity from the lives of its adherents, rather than from their professions or its doctrines. The counsel looks beyond the avoidance of all cause of reproach to a persuasion of the unconverted that the gospel is true and divine. It means that practical wisdom in social intercourse that sound common sense which would plan, live, work, and talk for that result.

Redeeming the time Better, buying up for yourselves the opportunity. Olshausen remarks (from Beza) that “the phrase is taken from the figure of a provident merchant who uses everything for his ends.” We are to watch for the opportunity to commend the gospel and win a soul, seizing the right time to speak, in order that we may advance the Master’s cause.