Ephesians 5 · Verse 15

Ephesians 5:15

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Ephesians 5:15, King James Version

Ephesians 5:15 in other translations

BSBPay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
WEBTherefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise,
ASVLook therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;
YLTSee, then, how exactly ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise,
DARBYSee therefore how ye walk carefully, not as unwise but as wise,
BBETake care then how you are living, not as unwise, but as wise;
WebsterSee then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

What does Ephesians 5:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. that--rather as Greek, "See how ye walk," &c. The double idea is compressed into one sentence: "See (take heed) how ye walk," and "See that ye walk circumspectly." The manner, as well as the act itself, is included. See how ye are walking, with a view to your being circumspect (literally, accurate, exact) in your walk. Compare Col 4:5, "Walk in wisdom (answering to 'as wise' here) toward them that are without" (answering to "circumspectly," that is, correctly, in relation to the unbelievers around, not giving occasion of stumbling to any, but edifying all by a consistent walk). not as fools--Greek, "not as unwise, but as wise."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15. See then that ye walk circumspectly. Carefully, anxiously, solicitous lest you fall into sin. The word rendered "circumspectly" --ακριβως--means, diligently; and the idea here is, that they were to take special pains to guard against the temptations around them, and to live as they ought to.

Not as fools, but as wise. Not as the people of this world live, indulging in foolish pleasures and desires, but as those who have been taught to understand heavenly wisdom, and who have been made truly wise.

(a) "circumspectly" Col 4:5

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 Walk circumspectly - Our word circumspect, from the Latin circirmspicio, signifies to look round about on all hands; to be every way watchful, wary, and cautious, in order to avoid danger, discern enemies before they come too nigh, and secure a man's interest by every possible and lawful means. But the original word ακριβως signifies correctly, accurately, consistently, or perfectly. Be ye, who have received the truth, careful of your conduct; walk by the rule which God has given you; do this as well in little as in great matters; exemplify your principles, which are holy and good, by a corresponding conduct; do not only profess, but live the Gospel. As you embrace all its promises, be careful also to embrace all its precepts; and behave yourselves so, that your enemies may never be able to say that ye are holy in your doctrines and profession, but irregular in your lives. Not as fools, but as wise - Μη ὡς ασοφοι, αλλ' ὡς σοφοι. The heathens affected to be called σοφοι, or wise men. Pythagoras was perhaps the first who corrected this vanity, by assuming the title of φιλοσοφος, a lover of wisdom; hence our term philosopher, used now in a much prouder sense than that in which the great Pythagoras wished it to be applied. The apostle here takes the term σοφος, and applies it to the Christian; and, instead of it, gives the empty Gentile philosopher the title of ασοφος, without wisdom, fool.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 5:15-21
Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly. Drunkenness is a sin that never goes alone, but carries men into other evils; it is a sin very provoking to God. The drunkard holds out to his family and to the world the sad spectacle of a sinner hardened beyond what is common, and hastening to perdition. When afflicted or weary, let us not seek to raise our spirits by strong drink, which is hateful and hurtful, and only ends in making sorrows more felt. But by fervent prayer let us seek to be filled with the Spirit, and to avoid whatever may grieve our gracious Comforter. All God's people have reason to sing for joy. Though we are not always singing, we should be always giving thanks; we should never want disposition for this duty, as we never want matter for it, through the whole course of our lives. Always, even in trials and afflictions, and for all things; being satisfied of their loving intent, and good tendency. God keeps believers from sinning against him, and engages them to submit one to another in all he has commanded, to promote his glory, and to fulfil their duties to each other.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Ephesians 5:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΒλέπετεBlepetedo take heedG991
οὖνounthereforeG3767
ἀκριβῶςakribōscarefullyG199
πῶςpōshowG4459
περιπατεῖτεperipateiteyou walkG4043
μὴmēnotG3361
ὡςhōsasG5613
ἄσοφοιasophoiunwiseG781
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ὡςhōsasG5613
σοφοί,sophoiwise,G4680

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 5:15

  • Colossians 4:5

    Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

  • James 3:13

    Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

  • Philippians 1:27

    Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

  • 1 Corinthians 14:20

    Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

  • Proverbs 14:8

    The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

  • 1 Timothy 6:9

    But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • 1 Peter 1:22

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

  • Matthew 10:16

    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

  • Luke 24:25

    Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15

    See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

  • Galatians 3:3

    Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

  • Job 2:10

    But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
See.
33; Mt 8:4; 27:4,24; 1Th 5:15; Heb 12:25; 1Pe 1:22; Re 19:10
walk.
Ex 23:13; Mt 10:16; 1Co 14:20; Php 1:27; Col 1:9; 4:5
not.
2Sa 24:10; Job 2:10; Ps 73:22; Pr 14:8; Mt 25:2; Lu 24:25
Ga 3:1,3; 1Ti 6:9; Jas 3:13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 5:14

    Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

  • Ephesians 5:15

    See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

  • Ephesians 5:16

    Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Read all of Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mirad, pues, cómo andéis avisadamente; no como necios, mas como sabios;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Prenez donc garde à marcher soigneusement, non pas comme étant dépourvus de sagesse, mais comme étant sages;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Sehet nun zu, wie ihr sorgfältig wandelt, nicht als Unweise, sondern als Weise,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Videte itaque, fratres, quomodo caute ambuletis: non quasi insipientes,