After exhorting the Ephesians to embrace general Christian virtues and warning them against general worldly vices, Paul now provides instructions for living out the calling of Christ within the spheres of home and work. The command to be walk wisely joins the command to walk in love and to walk in light, indicating that the believer needs Spirit-filled wisdom, in addition to Spirit-wrought power for love and submission, to carry out these commands. Our study follows the outline below:

1. Walk with Discipline (v.15)
2. Walk with Discernment (v.16)
3. Walk Deliberately (v.17)

Christians imitate God by walking in love, by walking in light, and by walking in wisdom. The previous passage contrasted light with darkness. This passage contrasts wisdom with folly—wise living with foolish living. 

To walk carefully in this evil day, Christians must use their time wisely, understanding what the will of the Lord is. Those who are light are also enlightened. Those who are light in the Lord (v.8a) are at the same time responsible to walk as those who have been enlightened to walk like the Lord (v.8b). Those who have been given light are to wisely live like it (v.15).  

“Making the best use of your time” (5:16a) is literally, “redeeming the time.” Redeeming the time has special reference to Christian witness in the world (Col. 4:5). To walk carefully, Christians must use their time wisely by knowing and obeying the will of the Lord (5:17).

Getting Started

1. Have you ever been on a trip, at sea or hiking and got lost or were unable to read or follow the map? Share your story.

• Read Ephesians 5:15-17

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling?

Digging Deeper

3. The final “walk” command contrasts wise ways of living with foolish decisions (Eph. 5:15). In this context, why does Paul call for discernment by believers concerning their use of time?

4. What is the reason given in verse 16 for why we should make use of our time? How is this helpful?

5. The Lord’s will is revealed in His Word. Read the verses and discuss the helpful outline that John MacArthur provides: 1 Timothy 2:3–4; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3a; 1 Peter 2:13–15; 1 Peter 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

The Heart of the Matter

6. What kind of activities redeem the time and what kind of activities do many people engage in that waste their time (not redeeming the time)?

7. Practically, why is it important for every believer (not just theologians) to understand the big picture of God’s will?

8. How does understanding God’s will help you make decisions about your life and specific choices?