John Bengel Commentary - Ephesians 5:16 - 5:16

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John Bengel Commentary - Ephesians 5:16 - 5:16


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Eph 5:16. Ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρὸν, redeeming the time) So the LXX., καιρὸν ὑμεῖς ἐξαγοράζετε, Dan 2:8, ye (would) gain the time. The days, says Paul, are evil, and are in the power of wicked men, not in your own power. Wherefore, since you see that you are hard pressed, endeavour, until the hostile intervals of this unhappy period pass away, to pass through and spend your time, if not with profit, at least without loss, which is done by keeping quiet, or at least by acting with moderation. This is the force of the verb דמם in a passage of Amos, which will be presently quoted. Wisdom and ἀκρίβεια, circumspection, are commanded, not sloth. There is however one mode of acting in summer, another in winter, even with greater labour [in the former than in the latter]. Those who in evil days seek meanwhile no fruit of time, but [the mere gaining of] time itself (according to the example of the Magi, Daniel 2, or like a besieged city waiting for assistance), these act wisely, and in the end will the better use the time, which they have thus redeemed (gained). Sirach 10 :(27) 31, Μὴ δοξάζου ἐν καιρῷ στενοχωρίας σου, boast not in the time of thy distress. A similar expression occurs in Polycarp’s Ep. to the church at Smyrna, where the martyrs are said, διὰ μιᾶς ὥρας τὴν αἰώνιον κόλασιν ἐξαγοραζόμενοι, to have bought off (gained exemption from) everlasting punishment by the sufferings of one hour.-§ 2. The opposite is to lose (throw away) time.-ἡμέραι, days) ch. Eph 6:13.-πονηραὶ, evil) Amo 5:13, ὁ συνιῶν ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ (ידם) σιωπήσεται, ὅτι καιρὸς πονηρός ἐστιν, he who has understanding at that time will be silent, because it is an evil time.