Vers. 15–17. Walking circumspectly.
I. The duty recommended.—1. Walk circumspectly that you may keep within the line of your duty. Your course often lies in a medium between two extremes. If from this course you deviate, you step into the territory of vice. Be circumspect that you may not mistake your duty. Be watchful that you may retain a sense of virtue and rectitude. Be attentive that you may conform to the Spirit of God’s commands.
2. Walk circumspectly that you may escape the snares in your way.—Often look forward to descry your dangers. Attend to your particular situation and condition in life. Often review your past life, and reflect on former temptations. Be circumspect that you may detect your enemies when they approach you in disguise. Never neglect your duty under pretence of shunning a temptation.
3. Walk circumspectly that you may wisely comport with the aspects of Providence.
4. Be circumspect that you may do every duty in its time and place.—Attend on the daily worship of God in your families and closets. Be kind and beneficent to the poor. Neglect not the care of your body. Attend on the instituted ordinances of the Gospel.
5. Walk circumspectly that your good may not be evil spoken of.
II. The argument by which the apostle urges the duty.—“The days are evil.” The argument was not peculiar to those early times, but is pertinent to all times. 1. The days are evil because the Christian finds in himself much disorder and corruption. 2. The days are evil as he is exposed to various afflictions. 3. There are many adversaries. 4. Iniquity abounds.—Lathrop.
Ver. 15. The Wise Conduct of Life.—1. The more light and knowledge a man receives from God he ought to take the more diligent heed that in all things he practises according to his light. 2. Those only are most fit to reprove sin in others who walk most circumspectly and live so as they cannot be justly blamed themselves. Even the righteous walking of such is a forcible reproof of sin in others, though they speak nothing. 3. As those are only truly wise in God’s account who labour to walk most exactly by the rule of God’s Word, so where this sanctified wisdom is it will render itself evident by making the person endowed with it walk circumspectly. 4. The less circumspect and exact men be in walking by the rule of God’s Word the greater fools they are in God’s esteem.—Fergusson.
Ver. 16. Redeeming the Time.—To redeem time is to regain what is lost and to save what is left.
- Enter on your work speedily.—Do you ask what is your work? It is time you knew. Consult God’s Word; that will tell you.
- Attend to your work with diligence.—A sense of past slothfulness must excite you to severer industry. Be not only fervent but steady in your work.
- Guard against the things which rob you of your time.—An indolent habit is inconsistent with laudable actions. A versatile humour is active, but wants patience. An excessive fondness for company and amusement is the cause of much waste of time.
- Do every work in its season.—Youth is the most promising season. The time of health is more favourable than a time of sickness. There are seasons friendly to particular duties. In doing works of charity observe opportunities.
- Wisely divide your time among your various duties.—Lathrop.