Walk in wisdom toward them that are outsiders, redeeming the time.
All Commentaries on Colossians 4:5 Go To Colossians 4
John Chrysostom
AD 407
“Redeeming,” he says, “the time”: that is, the present time is short. Now Paul said this because he did not want them to be crafty, nor hypocrites (for this is not a part of wisdom, but of senselessness). What then? In matters where outsiders are not harming you, don’t give them an opportunity…. If you are going to experience conflict with the outside world, Paul writes, let the conflict have its origin in your preaching—and not in any other source.
