16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Other Translations of Ephesians 5:16

King James Version

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

English Standard Version

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

The Message

16 Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

New King James Version

16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

New Living Translation

16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ephesians 5:16

Commentary on Ephesians 5:15-21

(Read Ephesians 5:15-21)

Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly. Drunkenness is a sin that never goes alone, but carries men into other evils; it is a sin very provoking to God. The drunkard holds out to his family and to the world the sad spectacle of a sinner hardened beyond what is common, and hastening to perdition. When afflicted or weary, let us not seek to raise our spirits by strong drink, which is hateful and hurtful, and only ends in making sorrows more felt. But by fervent prayer let us seek to be filled with the Spirit, and to avoid whatever may grieve our gracious Comforter. All God's people have reason to sing for joy. Though we are not always singing, we should be always giving thanks; we should never want disposition for this duty, as we never want matter for it, through the whole course of our lives. Always, even in trials and afflictions, and for all things; being satisfied of their loving intent, and good tendency. God keeps believers from sinning against him, and engages them to submit one to another in all he has commanded, to promote his glory, and to fulfil their duties to each other.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Other Translations of Colossians 3:2

King James Version

2 Set your affection affection: or, mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

English Standard Version

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

The Message

2 Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

New King James Version

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

New Living Translation

2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Colossians 3:2

Commentary on Colossians 3:1-4

(Read Colossians 3:1-4)

As Christians are freed from the ceremonial law, they must walk the more closely with God in gospel obedience. As heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; and affection to the one will weaken and abate affection to the other. Those that are born again are dead to sin, because its dominion is broken, its power gradually subdued by the operation of grace, and it shall at length be extinguished by the perfection of glory. To be dead, then, means this, that those who have the Holy Spirit, mortifying within them the lusts of the flesh, are able to despise earthly things, and to desire those that are heavenly. Christ is, at present, one whom we have not seen; but our comfort is, that our life is safe with him. The streams of this living water flow into the soul by the influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith. Christ lives in the believer by his Spirit, and the believer lives to him in all he does. At the second coming of Christ, there will be a general assembling of all the redeemed; and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall then appear with him in his glory. Do we look for such happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this?