Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 4:5

"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." — Colossians 4:5 (ASV)

To “be wise in the way you act toward outsiders” is to show practical Christian wisdom in dealing with secular society. Paul’s words imply that believers are to be cautious and tactful so as to avoid needlessly antagonizing or alienating their pagan neighbors. In a positive sense, these words also imply that believers should conduct themselves so that the way they live will attract, impress, and convict non-Christians and give the pagan community a favorable impression of the Gospel (see also 1 Corinthians 5:12–13; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 1 Timothy 3:7 for other passages where unbelievers are designated as “outsiders”).

The verb in the statement “make the most [GK 1973] of every opportunity” is a market word that means “to buy out” or "purchase completely.” So Christians, as an expression of practical wisdom, must buy up and make the most of every opportunity for witnessing to the faith. “Opportunity” (GK 2789) denotes either a specific point of time or a significant time, God’s time. This latter meaning appears to be the preferred sense in the present passage.