Colossians 4:5

Act wisely towards those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus [MTY]; use every opportunity to do that.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

In Context

4That is, pray for me that God will enable me to make his message known publicly. I need to do this because I know that I should declare it.

6In particular, always speak graciously and in a pleasant way to those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus. As a result, you will come to know in what manner you should answer each one of them.

Read all of Colossians 4

Cross References

Psalms 90:12So teach/help us to realize that we live for only a short time in order that we may use our time wisely.

Matthew 10:16“Take note: After I send you out, you will be as defenseless as sheep [MET] in the midst of people who are as dangerous as wolves. So you should wisely stay away from such people, like you stay away from poisonous snakes [SIM]. You should be as harmless as doves are [SIM].

Romans 16:19Believers everywhere know that you have paid attention to the good message about Christ, with the result that I rejoice about you. But I also want you to be wise, with the result that you do what is good. I also want you to avoid doing what is evil.

1 Corinthians 14:19But during a worship service, in order that others will understand what I am saying, I would prefer to speak five words using my mind, in order that I may teach others, rather than to speak 10,000 words in a language [MTY] that is not understood by the congregation.

Colossians 3:16And continue to let the message about Christ govern/direct all you think and do, as you very wisely teach and warn one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (OR, songs that God’s Spirit gives you), while you sincerely and thankfully sing to God.

1 Timothy 3:7Moreover, an elder must live in such a way that non-Christians speak well of him, because if he conducts himself like that, people will not say evil things about him, and the devil will not capture/trap him [MET] like people capture animals in a trap.

Matthew Henry on Colossians 4:3-5

Apostolic Exhortations. ( a. d. 62.) 2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. If this be considered as connected with the foregoing verse, then we may observe that it is part of the duty which masters owe their servants to pray with them, and to pray daily with them, or continue in prayer. They must not… Read the whole commentary →

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