The Redemption of Time.
I. The subject of the exhortation.—1. Time sometime signifies the whole duration assigned to the present world.
2. The period of human life.—The time we occupy in the present state is that which God allots for our personal probation and trial. All God’s dispensations in respect to us refer to this period and have their limits fixed by it.
3. Time means season or opportunity.—In this sense the apostle uses it here. We are to redeem all the opportunity God bestows on us for getting and doing good, for acquainting ourselves with Him and being at peace.
II. The duty enjoined on us.—“Redeeming the time”—the opportunity.
1. We redeem time by consideration.
2. When we turn everything we have to do, in the common concerns of life, into a religious channel.
3. By living in a devotional spirit.—(1) This will cast out everything trifling, much more everything sinful, from our leisure hours. (2) Its preservation and exercise are perfectly compatible with the affairs of life.
4. The principal way by which time is to be redeemed is not merely by making efforts to promote our final blessedness, but by actually securing our present salvation.
III. The motives by which the exhortation is enforced.—“Because the days are evil.”