Matthew Poole and continuators on Colossians 4:5

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

Let your course of life be managed with all Christian prudence, that you may not any way disparage the Christian institution, 2 Sam, 12.14. Rom. 2.23.24▪ with 1 Tim. 6.4. with your innocency be wise as Serpents, Mat. 10.16. see Eph. 5.15. yet, whiles you become all things to all to gain some, 1 Cor. 9.20, 21, 22, 33. you must take heed of such a compliance, whereby you may wound your consciences, Exo[illegible: 1 letter] 34.15. Eph. 5.11. and, on the other side, of such a contempt of them without just cause as may provoke them to persecute you, Paul wa[illegible: 1 letter] wary in his reasoning with those who were not Christians, and would have others to be so, Act. 17.24, 25, &c. with 1 Cor. 5.12, 13. not denying any of them, whats due to them by divine and humane rights, Mat. 22.21. Rom. 13.7. 1 Pet. 2.13.

Considering they are not of the houshold of faith; Gal. 6, 10. as you profess to be, you should be more circumspect, that you do not give occasion of offence to them, 1 Tim. 5.14. as well as take care you be not infected with their practices, 1 Cor. 5, 6. but endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, Tit. 2.10.

Shewing your prudence, say some learned men, in gaining time by honest craft, to secure you from spiritual dangers to your Souls, or divert those who have power from persecutions. Taking the expression proverbially. And for that purpose cite a passage in the prophet from the Septuagint, Dan. 2.8. others and the most import of the original words take time for opportunity, or the fitness it hath for some good; and the participle, we render redeeming, to import either morally (not physically, which is impossible) a recalling or recovery of time past that is lost, by a double diligence in employing what remains; or a buying up the present time, i. e. parting with any thing for the improvement of it to our spiritual advantage; or a buying it out, i. e. a rescuing it (as it were) out of the hands of Satan, and the World, which by distracting cares and tempting pleasures do occasion often the mispence of it, see Ephes. 6.16.

Marginal references: 1 Thess. 4.12.