THEREFORE
BE CAREFUL
HOW YOU WALK: blepete (2PPAM) oun akribos pos peripateite, (2PPAI): (Eph
5:33; Mt 8:4; 27:4,24; 1Th 5:15; He 12:25; 1Pe 1:22; Re 19:10) (Ex
23:13; Mt 10:16; 1Co 14:20; Php 1:27; Col 1:9; 4:5)
Note:
All verbs in
bold red
indicate commands, not suggestions!
Also
hold mouse pointer over
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Be as careful and wise
as Jonathan Edwards was when he wrote in his diary at age
twenty
Resolved, never to lose one moment
of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.
(I would add the prayer Ps 90:12)
Moule has some great
introductory comments to Ephesians 5:15-21 writing that...
THE Ephesians have learnt much now
of the details of the holy life, and the last words which they (and
we) have heard about it have pointed the thought full upon an element
in it which is vital to its health—holy action, holy service. The
believer, "light in the Lord," is to shed the light which he receives.
There is to be a warm hearth-fire in his own soul's chamber, and a
lamp fed with heaven's own sunshine is to hang from its ceiling. But
it is also to be a radiant point in the dark world, finding way for
its searching beneficent brightness through the windows of the soul,
from the beacon-tower of the life, The range of penetration may be
vast, or it may be very small. It may command a great region of the
earth, or many regions; it may fill an age of time, it may affect all
the ages; such was the range of St Paul's radiation, for example. Or
it may light up one small neighbourhood, one poor home, the visitors
to one sick-room; it may be limited in time by only a fragment of the
disciple's one short life; such was no doubt the range of radiation
for many an Asian saint then, as it is for many an English saint now.
But the point is that there is intended to be radiation outward where
there is light within. The Master's service is to be the dear object
of the redeemed life. The sacred light is given indeed for the being's
own bliss, rich and large; but it is never given to terminate there.
And they best meet the Master's will who most willingly and most
continually so keep the windows clear that the light within may
radiate around, for conviction, and for gladness, just as freely and
as far as may be.
Happy they who, by His grace, so
serve Him. Do we not know
such lives? They "cannot
be hid"—not because they advertise themselves; that is the very last
thing they do. But it is unmistakable that they are enjoying a great
light within, and it "will out." Such (to keep close to our own time,
and to no very extended circle) were William Pennefather, Arthur
Blackwood, Frances Havergal. Such was that great light-bearer so
recently called from us, D. L. Moody. Such are cherished names still
among us, known to thousands who owe them more than they can ever
tell, for the light brought by them into the thick darkness of
worldliness, sin, doubt, and fear. But there have been, and there are,
countless others whom no Christian history will ever name, but who
live in transfigured hearts on which they have shone. Their "record is
on high."
The Apostle comes now to a few more
lines of general caution and precept, before he approaches his final
topic, the Christian Home. He has to appeal again for a grave
remembrance that the "walk in the light" is no mere promenade, smooth
and easy, but a march, resolved and full of purpose, cautious against
the enemy, watchful for opportunity for the King, self-controlled in
every habit, and possible only (if it is to be a reality) in the power
of the eternal Spirit. It is to be a walk, onward and upward, of
holy and habitual praise, of fellowship in spiritual help, and of a
mutual submission which means forgetfulness of self in the
recollection of others, in the Lord. (Rev. Handley C. G. Moule, D.D.
Ephesian Studies: Expository Readings on the Epistle of Saint Paul to
the Ephesians)
Therefore -
This term of conclusion draws us back to the immediate context, in which
Paul has just given the command to be continually awake. But it
undoubtedly also goes back to the beginning of this practical section
where Paul implored his readers to "walk in a
manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." (Eph
4;1-note)
adding that they were to "walk no longer just as the Gentiles also
walk" (Eph 4:17-note).
In chapter 5 Paul continued to emphasize the importance of the
believer's walk giving the command to continually "Walk
in love" (Eph 5:2-note)
like Christ and to continually "Walk
as children of Light"
since they are now light in the Lord (Eph 5:8-note).
And so here in verse 15, Paul picks up the theme of a worthy walk, emphasizing that it
is to be a careful walk, a circumspect walk (redeeming time) and a
controlled
walk (filled with the Spirit).
Be careful how
you walk - carries the idea of looking around carefully so as
not to stumble, which Paul explains equates with walking intelligently
and not in ignorance.
Bishop J C Ryle
alluded to a careful...walk when he said...
We may depend upon it as a certainty
that where there is no holy living there is no Holy Ghost.
A W Tozer
echoed this same thought when he said...
The filling of the Holy Spirit (see
Ep 5:18) brings a sharp
separation between the believer and the world.
John Stott introduces this
section writing that...
Paul’s next little paragraph is based
upon two assumptions, first that Christians are sophoi,—wise people, not
fools—and secondly that Christian wisdom is practical wisdom, for it
teaches us how to behave. His word for to ‘behave’ throughout the letter
has been a Hebrew concept, to ‘walk’. Our Christian walk or
behaviour, he has written, must no longer be according to the world, the
flesh and the devil (Ep 2:1, 2, 3), or like the pagans (Ep 4:17).
Instead, it must be ‘worthy’ of God’s call, ‘in love’, and ‘as children
of light’ (Ep 4:1; 5:1; 5:8). Now he adds a more general exhortation to
us to behave like the wise people he credits us with being: look
carefully how you walk, he writes. Everything worth doing requires care.
We all take trouble over the things which seem to us to matter—our job,
our education, our home and family, our hobbies, our dress and
appearance. So as Christians we must take trouble over our Christian
life. We must treat it as the serious thing it is. ‘Be most careful then
how you conduct yourselves: like sensible men, not like simpletons’
(neb). (Stott, J. R. W. God's New Society : The Message of Ephesians.
Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press)
Circumspectly
(KJV)
(199)
(akribos)
means characterized by exactness, thoroughness, precision, accuracy in
addition to the associated idea of looking, examining, and investigating
something with great care and alertness. Akribos
pertains to strict conformity to a norm or standard, involving both
detail and completeness, with focus on careful attention. In context
akribos refers to ethical behavior with a
focus on careful attention especially regarding the dangers and
deceptions that continually assault us from our mortal enemies, the
world, the flesh and the devil.
See to it that you walk circumspectly
(akribos - accurately, diligently, carefully). Walk warily, exactly or
diligently. Our English word circumspect is from the Latin
circum- = around + specere = look and conveys the literal
picture of looking around or figuratively being cautious. One who is
walking circumspectly is one who is surveying all circumstances and
possible consequences before acting or deciding. A great word picture!
The idea of
akribos is that our walk is in strict conformity to a standard, and
as such calls for carefulness against any departure from what is proper
to a believer's walk. How does one accomplish this charge to be careful
how we walk? By not walking unwisely, but wisely, as those who are
continually redeeming for themselves the precious time God gives,
by understanding His good and acceptable and perfect will and by not
being filled with wine but being filled with His Spirit.
Note that the NAS
translates the adverb akribos (199)
somewhat vaguely. Here are other translations that translate akribos
more literally...
Be constantly taking heed therefore
how accurately (akribos) you are conducting yourselves... (Wuest)
See, then, how exactly
(akribos) ye walk
(Young's Literal)
See then that ye walk
circumspectly (akribos)... (KJV)
See to it that you walk carefully,
with circumspection and not carelessly
There are 5 uses
of akribos in the NT...
Matthew 2:8 And he (Herod in
seeking to kill the newborn Jesus) sent them (magi) to Bethlehem, and
said, "Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you
have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and
worship Him." (Comment:
God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod, Mt 2:12)
Luke 1:3 it seemed fitting for
me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the
beginning, to write it
out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
Acts 18:25 This man had
been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in
spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things
concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;
Ephesians 5:15 Therefore
be careful (see
discussion above) how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, (YLT:
See, then, how exactly ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise)
1Thessalonians 5:2
(note) For you
yourselves know full well
that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the
night.
Therefore (3767)
(oun) introduces a logical result or inference from what precedes
(so, consequently, thereupon, then)
Be careful
(991)
(blepo)
means to look at, behold, discern
mentally, observe, perceive, consider, contemplate, look to in the
sense of taking care, take heed. It
means perceive with your eyes. Have
your eye on so as to beware of.
Blepo generally denotes simply a voluntary observation or taking
notice of something or someone.
The
present imperative
is commands one to continually
pay especially close attention to
how they walk. “Be constantly taking heed how accurately you are
conducting yourselves.” We need to remember that our heart is more
deceitful than all else and that the enemy of our soul constantly prowls
around and his desire is for our soul.
Jesus used blepo in a similar
sense of contemplating in order to beware...
And Jesus answered and said to them,
"See to it
(blepo =
present imperative)
that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am
the Christ,' and will
mislead many. (Mt 24:4-5) (Comment: He is speaking of the times
especially preceding His return.)
And He was giving orders to them,
saying, "Watch out!
Beware
(blepo =
present imperative)
of the leaven of the
Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." (Mark 8:15)
And in His teaching He was saying: "Beware
(blepo =
present imperative)
of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like
respectful greetings in the market
places... (Mark 12:38)
Paul used blepo with a similar
meaning in Colossians writing...
See to it
(blepo =
present imperative)
that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,
according to the
tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world,
rather than according to Christ. (See note
Colossians 2:8)
The apostle John uses blepo to
warn the believers to...
Watch
(blepo =
present imperative)
yourselves, that you might not lose
what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
(2John 1:8) (Comment: All believers will receive praise at the judgment
or
bema
seat of Christ according to 1Cor 4:5,
but some believers shall suffer loss of their rewards as described in
1Cor 3:11-15)
In Hebrews the writer warns...
Take care
(blepo =
present imperative),
brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving
heart, in falling away from the living God. (see note
Hebrews 3:12)
Wuest adds that you are to...
see to it that your conduct
is accurate with respect to the demands of the Word of God. It is like a
motorist accurately following on
the right side of the center line dividing traffic.
(Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans)
Walk (4043)
(peripateo
from peri = about,
around + pateo = walk, tread) (Click
word study on
peripateo)
means literally to walk about here and there or to tread all around.
Peripateo then came to mean, to make one’s way, to make progress, to
make due use of one’s opportunities and finally (as used by Paul in
Ephesians), to live, to regulate one’s life, to conduct one’s self.
Most of the NT uses refer to the daily conduct of one's life or how one
orders their behavior or passes their life.
To walk
circumspectly is to walk in the light of our exalted position and
privilege as beloved children of God. To walk in an unwise manner means
to descend from the high plane and privilege to the profane practices of
the fallen world. To walk wisely is to redeem each day, "buying up"
every precious moment God gives.
The Amplified
Version conveys the thrust of Paul's command rendering it...
Look carefully then how you walk!
Live purposefully and worthily and accurately... (Ed note: Good advice.
God's formula for real success!)
Wayne Barber writes that...
Ephesians 5:15 tells us we are to be
very careful as we walk. When we put on this new garment and walk out
into a world penetrated by darkness, this garment, Christ in us (cp Col
1:27), has the
power to first of all refuse the deeds of darkness, secondly
reprove the deeds of darkness, and thirdly remove the deeds
of darkness. Light puts out darkness. Folks, when you put on the
garment, when you are living what you have in Jesus Christ, it is a
powerful weapon against the darkness that is residing in this world. (Ephesians 5:15-17 Walking as Light in a
World of Darkness)
NOT AS UNWISE MEN BUT AS WISE:
me os asophoi all' os sophoi,:
(2Samuel 24:10; Job 2:10; Psalms
73:22; Proverbs 14:8; Matthew 25:2; Luke 24:25; Galatians 3:1,3;
1Timothy 6:9; James 3:13)
Now Paul explains
what he means by walking carefully...first the negative, then the
positive.
(Not) Unwise
(781)
(asophos from a = without + sophos = wise) (used
only in Ep 5:15) means without wisdom and so unwise, silly or
foolish. This adjective describes one who lacks the power of proper
discernment.
To walk any way
except in the path of holiness, the ancient paths, turning neither to
the left or the right, is to walk as a fool!
The NKJV has a
good rendering...
See then that you walk
circumspectly, not as fools but as wise
To walk
circumspectly and thus wisely is to live in the light of our position as God’s
children. To walk as fools means to descend from this high plane
to the conduct of worldly men.
Wise
(4680)
(sophos) is the practical application of acquired knowledge. It
describes the ability to use knowledge for correct behavior (1Co 6:5).
Sophos describes understanding that results in wise conduct.
The wise
walk of wisdom in context calls for each of us to redeem the time, "buying up" every
(spiritual) opportunity presented to us by God (Eph 5:16). Wisdom is revealed in
godly living. It calls for us not to be controlled by wine but to be
continually controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18)
There are 20 uses
of sophos in the NT - Mt. 11:25; 23:34; Lk. 10:21; Ro 1:14, 22;
16:19, 27; 1Co 1:19, 20, 25, 26, 27; 3:10, 18, 19, 20; 6:5; Eph. 5:15;
James. 3:13
In short we are to
be walking as God expects (His will) and enables (by His indwelling
Spirit) believers to walk. To
walk circumspectly is to live in the light of our position,
privilege and power as
God’s children. It's to attain to our potential as men and women who are
in Christ (see
in Christ
and
in Christ Jesus). To walk as fools means to descend from this high
plane to the conduct of worldly men.
John Eadie
writes that...
If the Ephesian Christians walked
without taking heed to their ways, then they walked as fools do, who
stumble and fall or miss the path. Wisdom, not in theory, but in
practice—wisdom, and not mere intelligence — was to characterize them;
that wisdom which preserves in rectitude, guides amidst temptations, and
affords a lesson of consistency to surrounding spectators.
And if there be any allusion to Eph
5:11, then the inferential meaning is—it would be the height of folly to
rebuke that sin which the reprover is openly committing; to condemn
profane swearing, and barb the reprimand with an oath; or exemplify the
vices of wrath and clamor in anathematizing such as may be guilty of
them. It is strange infatuation to be obliged, in pointing others to
heaven, to point over one's shoulder. And one peculiar proof and
specimen of wisdom is now given (in Eph 5:16) (John Eadie, D., LL.D. The
Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians).
><> ><> ><>
Check Your Work-I'm getting pretty good at math. That's because every day my son
Steve and I have a little math session. He does his 30 junior high math
problems, and I help him check them over. Sometimes we even get them all
right.
As I go over Steve's math, I notice that he understands how to do his
problems. In fact, in some areas he's better at it than I am. But
occasionally, despite knowing how to do the problem, he gets the wrong
answer. He either gets a little sloppy in using the right formula or he
just doesn't check his answers carefully.
Aren't we all a little like that in our Christian life? We know what we
should do. We have a good understanding of how to live the Christian
life, but we get careless or lazy. We know better, but we fail.
For instance, we know we aren't supposed to gossip. But before we know
it, we're roasting a fellow Christian. Or this: We know God wants us to
keep our mind and heart pure, but we let down our guard and watch a TV
program or movie we know is not edifying.
It's true, isn't it? We all get a little sloppy in how we live for God.
Let's be more careful and pay closer attention to our Christian walk
(Ephesians 5:15). Let's make sure we're doing quality work for our
heavenly Father. —J D Branon (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Lord, help me to
apply Your Word
And move it from my head
To actions that won't shame your Name
But honor You instead. —Sper
Give your all for Jesus,
He gave His all for you.
