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What Does Ephesians 5:16 Mean? Redeeming the Time

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Ephesians 5:16 says, "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (KJV) Few phrases in the Bible are quoted as often in sermons, devotionals and conversations about productivity. Yet many believers are unsure what it truly means to redeem the time. Is it about being busy? Is it a call to better time management? Or is Paul saying something deeper about how Christians should live in a broken and urgent world?

In this Bible study we will explore the meaning of Ephesians 5:16, its context in Paul's letter, the Greek words behind it, and practical ways to use your time wisely for God's glory.

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Read the passage: Ephesians 5:15-21 (KJV) • Colossians 4:2-6 (KJV)

Quick Answer: What Does "Redeeming the Time" Mean?

To redeem the time means to make the very most of every opportunity God gives us, using our days wisely for His purposes because life is short and the age we live in is full of spiritual darkness. Paul is not asking Christians to be frantic or overbooked. He is calling us to live with wisdom, purpose and urgency, seizing the opportunities God places before us to serve Him, love people and share the gospel.

The Context of Ephesians 5:16

The book of Ephesians has two main halves. Chapters 1 to 3 describe what God has done for believers in Christ: chosen, redeemed, forgiven, made alive and seated with Him in heavenly places. Chapters 4 to 6 explain how we should live in response. Paul keeps using the word "walk" to describe the Christian life.

Look at the flow of thought in Ephesians 5:

  • Verse 1-2: "Walk in love," as Christ loved us.
  • Verse 8: "Walk as children of light."
  • Verse 15: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise."
  • Verse 16: "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
  • Verse 17: "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."
  • Verse 18: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."

Verse 16 is therefore part of a larger instruction about wise living. It is sandwiched between walking carefully and understanding God's will. Redeeming the time is not a stand-alone productivity tip. It is an expression of a life lived under the wisdom and the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The Meaning of "Redeeming" and "Time"

"Redeeming" (exagorazo)

The Greek word translated "redeeming" is exagorazo. It comes from the marketplace and means to buy up or purchase out of the market. Picture a shopper in a busy market who sees a rare bargain and quickly buys it before someone else does. Paul uses that picture: opportunities are valuable, and we should grasp them.

"Time" (kairos)

Greek has two main words for time. Chronos refers to clock time, the ticking of minutes and hours. Kairos refers to a season, a fitting moment, an opportunity. Ephesians 5:16 uses kairos. Paul is not simply saying, "Squeeze more activities into every hour." He is saying, "Recognise the God-given opportunities in your days and make the most of them."

This is why modern translations often render the verse as "making the best use of the time" or "making the most of every opportunity." The Christian is like a wise buyer in a market, alert to the moments that count for eternity.

Why Paul Says "The Days Are Evil"

Paul gives a reason for redeeming the time: "because the days are evil." This does not mean that every moment is wicked. It means the present age is marked by sin, spiritual opposition and moral confusion. Earlier in Ephesians, Paul wrote that we once walked "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), and later he warned that our struggle is "against the rulers of the darkness of this world" (Ephesians 6:12).

Because the days are evil, three things follow:

  1. Opportunities are limited. Doors for the gospel do not stay open forever. People we love will not always be within reach.
  2. Distractions are many. The world offers endless entertainment, worry, ambition and noise that can quietly steal our best hours.
  3. Light is needed. In a dark world, believers are called to shine, and we cannot shine if our time is poured entirely into trivial things.

Urgency, in the Bible, is rooted in love for God and for people, not in anxiety.

Walking Wisely, Not as Fools

The word "circumspectly" in verse 15 means carefully or accurately. Paul wants us to look closely at how we live rather than drift. A foolish person drifts, reacts and lets life happen. A wise person lives with direction. Proverbs repeatedly describes this contrast, noting that the diligent prosper, while the one who loves sleep and idleness comes to want (Proverbs 6:6-11; 20:13).

Wisdom, in the Bible, begins with "the fear of the LORD" (Proverbs 9:10). Redeeming the time is therefore a spiritual matter first. It starts with a heart that treasures God, believes His Word, and wants to please Him with the days He has given.

What the Rest of the Bible Says About Time

  • Psalm 90:12: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Moses prays that we would understand how short life is, so that we would live wisely.
  • Psalm 39:4-5: David asks God to help him know how fleeting his life is.
  • James 4:14: "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
  • Ecclesiastes 3:1: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." God has appointed seasons, and wisdom discerns them.
  • Colossians 4:5: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." Here Paul links the same phrase directly to our witness to unbelievers.
  • John 9:4: Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
  • Galatians 6:10: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
  • 2 Peter 3:8-9: God's patience gives time for repentance, reminding us why each day matters.

The Bible's consistent message is that time is a stewardship. It is a gift from God, and we will give an account for how we used it.

Jesus: Unhurried but Purposeful

The perfect example of redeeming the time is the Lord Jesus. He lived only about thirty-three years, with a public ministry of roughly three years, yet at the end He could say to the Father, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4).

Notice how Jesus lived. He was never frantic, but He was never aimless. He rose early to pray (Mark 1:35). He withdrew to quiet places (Luke 5:16). He stopped for individuals, such as the woman at the well and Zacchaeus. He did not heal everyone in every town, because He was following the Father's agenda, not the demands of the crowd (Mark 1:35-38). He knew His "hour" and moved toward the cross with purpose.

This corrects a common misunderstanding. Redeeming the time does not mean doing everything. It means doing what God has given us to do, at the time He has given us to do it.

Common Time Wasters in Our Day

Paul did not have smartphones, but the principle applies directly. Here are some common ways good time slips away:

  • Endless scrolling on social media and video platforms, which can quietly consume hours.
  • Excessive entertainment such as television, games and gossip.
  • Procrastination: postponing what is important in favour of what is easy.
  • Worry and complaining, which drain energy without changing anything.
  • Poor planning, leading to constant rushing and last-minute stress.
  • Saying yes to everything, leaving no time for prayer, family and rest.
  • Unforgiveness and quarrels, which occupy the mind and steal peace.

Rest and recreation are not sin. God Himself instituted the Sabbath rest. The question is whether our use of time reflects our priorities and honours God.

Seven Practical Steps to Redeem the Time

1. Begin with God

Start each day with prayer and Scripture. When we give God the first part of the day, we set our hearts toward His purposes. Even fifteen focused minutes can anchor the whole day. For a practical rhythm, see How to Build a Daily Devotional Life Before the Mission Field. Ask God, "What do You want me to do today?" and "Who do You want me to love today?"

2. Know your priorities

Write down what God has called you to: your relationship with Him, your family, your church, your work or studies, and your witness in the community. When your priorities are clear, it is easier to say no to good things that crowd out the best things.

3. Plan your days and weeks

Proverbs 21:5 says, "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness." Planning is not unspiritual. Use a simple notebook, calendar or phone reminders. List your key tasks, and commit your plans to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3). Hold your plans loosely, remembering James 4:15: "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

4. Deal with distractions

Set limits on social media and entertainment. Turn off unnecessary notifications. Choose specific times for prayer and study when your phone is set aside. Ask yourself honestly: does this activity help me grow, serve or rest well, or does it simply fill space?

5. Look for gospel opportunities

Colossians 4:5 connects redeeming the time with witness. A conversation on a bus, a kindness to a neighbour, a visit to a sick friend, a message to a struggling classmate: these are kairos moments. Pray for open eyes and a ready heart. Share the good news with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). See also Why Every Christian Is Called to Missions (Even If You Don't Travel).

6. Invest in people

Things pass away, but people have eternal souls. Spend time with your family, disciple younger believers, encourage the discouraged and pray with others. Time invested in people and in God's Word brings lasting fruit. Jesus' own method is worth studying: Lessons from Jesus: How He Trained His Disciples for Ministry.

7. Rest and trust God

Redeeming the time includes proper rest. Psalm 127:2 reminds us that it is vain to rise early and stay up late, "eating the bread of sorrows," for God gives sleep to those He loves. Rest is an act of trust that God is in control and the world does not depend on us. If you are running on empty, read Missionary Burnout: Warning Signs & Biblical Recovery.

What Redeeming the Time Does Not Mean

  • It does not mean workaholism. Being constantly busy is not the same as being fruitful. Martha was busy, but Mary chose "that good part" (Luke 10:38-42).
  • It does not mean guilt over every minute. We are saved by grace, not by productivity. Our worth is in Christ, not in our schedule.
  • It does not mean ignoring rest, family or joy. Healthy rhythms of rest and fellowship honour God.
  • It does not mean secular efficiency alone. Business skills can help us, but the goal is eternal: to know and glorify God and to bless others.
  • It does not mean sinful pressure on others. We should encourage, not shame, fellow believers about how they spend their time.

Watch: Related Videos

Deepen your study with these videos:

Videos are from external channels and are linked for further study; they are not part of this blog.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ephesians 5:16

What does "redeeming the time" mean in simple terms?

It means making the best use of every opportunity God gives you, living wisely and purposefully for Him.

Why does Paul say "the days are evil"?

He refers to the present age, which is marked by sin and spiritual darkness. Because of this, opportunities to do good and share the gospel are precious and should not be wasted.

Is Ephesians 5:16 about time management?

Time management skills can serve the verse, but its focus is deeper. It is about wisdom, priorities and seizing God-given opportunities (kairos) rather than merely organising the clock.

How does Colossians 4:5 relate to Ephesians 5:16?

Both use the same phrase. In Colossians, Paul ties it to our conduct toward unbelievers, showing that part of redeeming the time is bearing a wise and gracious witness.

How can I redeem the time as a busy person?

Start with prayer, clarify your priorities, plan your week, limit distractions, and look for small daily opportunities to serve and share Christ. Even busy seasons are full of opportunities.

Does God want me to give up rest and recreation?

No. God designed rest and gave the Sabbath principle. Redeeming the time includes taking appropriate rest so that we can serve with joy and strength.

What if I have wasted many years?

God is the God of redemption. He can restore "the years that the locust hath eaten" (Joel 2:25). Confess, receive His forgiveness, and begin today to walk wisely.

Conclusion: Make Today Count

Ephesians 5:16 reminds us that our days are a gift and that they are limited. Because we live in a dark and passing world, Christians are called to live with wisdom, alertness and purpose, buying up every opportunity to love God, love people and make Christ known. This is not a call to anxiety, but to joyful stewardship under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

You cannot get yesterday back, but you can offer today to God. Ask Him to show you the opportunities already in front of you, and take the next faithful step.

A Prayer

Lord, teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom. Forgive me for the time I have wasted. Fill me with Your Spirit, give me clear priorities, and open my eyes to the opportunities You place before me today. Help me to love You first, to serve others faithfully, and to share Your gospel boldly. May my life count for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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What is one practical change you will make this week to use your time for God? Share it in the comments to encourage others.

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain). Published by Missionary John Sermons at missionaryjohn.online.

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