“Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” – Eph. 5:16
Ephesians 5:16 is a convicting verse, urging us as believers to live with intentionality and wisdom in a world marked by evil and moral decay. The apostle Paul, in writing this epistle, sought to equip the Ephesian church with a mindset that would help them navigate the challenges of their time—challenges that are, in many ways, still relevant today.
The phrase “making the best use of the time” is translated from the Greek word exagorazomenoi (ἐξαγοραζόμενοι), which carries the idea of “redeeming” or “buying back.” This word implies that time, in its natural state, is often wasted or misused, and it is the Christian’s responsibility to “redeem” it, to take hold of it and use it wisely for God’s glory. The term “redeeming” has its roots in the marketplace, where it was used to describe buying back something that had been lost or taken. In this context, we are called to reclaim time, to redeem it from trivial pursuits in which it has been subjected and invest it in what has eternal significance. Time has been effected by sin and is being wasted and killed and needs to be redeemed by us and bought back for proper usage.
Paul doesn’t leave the exhortation to redeem time in a vacuum; he gives a reason: “because the days are evil.” The word for “evil” here is ponēroi (πονηροί), which refers to not just moral evil but also the pain, trouble, and difficulty that characterize the world. The days we live in are fraught with spiritual danger and moral ambiguity, which makes the wise use of time all the more critical.
Matthew Henry noted, “We must walk carefully, because we live in a dangerous time. We are in danger of being infected by the evil examples of the age, and in danger of being drawn aside by its allurements.” It is with urgency that we should approach our daily walk—aware of the dangers that seek to distract and derail us from God’s purposes.
In order to completely appreciate the significance of Paul’s exhortation we need take into account additional biblical verses that stress the value of time and prudent living.
- Col. 4:5: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” Here, Paul connects the concept of redeeming time with our witness to the world. Our wise stewardship of time not only benefits us but also serves as a testimony to those who are outside the faith.
- Psa. 90:12: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” This prayer of Moses reminds us that wisdom begins with an awareness of the brevity and preciousness of life. Each day is an opportunity to grow in wisdom and live according to God’s will.
- Jam. 4:14: “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James echoes the fleeting nature of life, urging believers to live with an eternal perspective.
These verses underscore our biblical call to live with intentionality and a sense of divine purpose. Time is a gift, but it is also a responsibility. We are accountable to God for how we spend it.
John Phillips writes, “Suppose that a wealthy man were to give someone $1,440 a day to spend. He had to spend it. The gift did not allow him to save it, still less to hoard it. At the end of each day what was not spent was lost. The same sum would arrive every day until the end of life. Then an accounting would be made of what the recipient had done with the sum. There it was $1,440 a day to spend or squander, to be used buying things for oneself or in helping others, to be wasted on trifles or invested for eternity. Every day God gives us 1440 minutes to be spent by us and us alone. We have to spend it. We cannot save up some of today’s time for tomorrow. We have none of yesterday’s time left over for today. All of these precious minutes are ours. However, when life is over, there will be a strict accounting of what we have done with that time. We, as Christians, will give our accounting at the judgment seat of Christ. The unsaved will render account at the Great White Throne. But an accounting will be made.”
Arthur Bennett in his book “How to Live on 24 Hours a Day” echoes John Phillips warning regarding the allocation of time to each of us. He writes:
“Time is the raw material of everything. With it all is possible. Without it nothing. The supply of time is truly a daily miracle. An affair genuinely astonishing when one examines it. You wake up in the morning and lo! Your purse is magically filled with 24 hours of unmanufactured tissue of the universe of your life. It is yours. It is the most precious of possessions. A highly singular commodity showered upon you in a manner as singular as the commodity itself. For remark, no one can take it from you. It is unstealable. And no one receives either more or less then you receive. Talk about an ideal democracy. In the realm of time there is no aristocracy of wealth and there is no aristocracy of intellect. Geniuses are never rewarded by even an extra hour a day. And there is no punishment. Waste your infinitely precious commodity as much as you will and the supply will never be withheld from you. No mysterious power will say,” This man is a fool, not a naïve, he does not deserve time, he shall be cut off at the meter.” [Thank goodness for God’s grace, right! – RB] It is more certain than consoles and payment of income is not affected by Sundays. Moreover, you cannot draw on the future. Impossible to get into debt. You can only waste the passing moment. You cannot waste tomorrow; it is kept for you. You cannot waste the next hour; it is kept for you. I said the affair was a miracle. Is it not? You have to live on this 24 hours of daily time. Out of it you have to spend health, pleasure, money, content, respect and the evolution of your immortal soul. It’s right use. It’s most effective use, is a matter of the most highest urgency and of the most thrilling actuality; all depends on that. Your happiness, elusive prize that you are all clutching for my friends, depends on that.”
Ephesians 5:16 challenges us to live with a heightened awareness of the spiritual significance of our time. The days are indeed evil, but we are called to shine as lights in the darkness, making the most of every opportunity to glorify God. As we redeem the time, we reflect Christ’s wisdom and grace to a world in desperate need of both.
In the words of Jonathan Edwards, “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.” May this be our resolution as we seek to live each day for the glory of God.
