Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:15

What does Ephesians 5:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:15 means

Because Christ’s light has shone, believers must be vigilant about their “walk.” Careful living rejects lazy drift. Wisdom here is practical skill in godly living, not mere intelligence. To walk “not as unwise, but as wise” means evaluating steps, anticipating snares, and aligning choices with God’s revealed will. The world’s current is strong; careless hearts are swept along. Wisdom looks to the Lord, listens to His word, and applies truth to time, relationships, and work. This verse encourages deliberate discipleship—habits and decisions shaped by reverence—so that the gift of new life is stewarded, not squandered.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Take care then how you are living, not as unwise, but as wise;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

See, then, how exactly ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

See therefore how ye walk carefully, not as unwise but as wise,

Context

Coming off the call to awake and receive Christ’s light (v. 14), Paul begins a series of wise-living exhortations. Verse 15 introduces the theme: careful, wise walking. Verse 16 will specify what this looks like—redeeming the time because the days are evil—and verse 17 will add understanding the Lord’s will. Then verses 18–21 will contrast worldly intoxication with Spirit-filled life marked by worship, gratitude, and mutual submission. The flow ties awakened identity to disciplined, Spirit-enabled practice.

v.14Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.

v.15This passage

v.16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 8:4

    And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

  • Galatians 3:1

    O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15

    See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.

  • Colossians 4:5

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

  • 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.

  • Exodus 23:13

    And in all things that I have said unto you take ye heed: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

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