Making the most (1805) (exagorazo [word study] from ek = out or from. If something is in something else, then ek describes separating it in respect to place, time, source or origin + agorazo [word study] = buy, acquire possessions or services in exchange for money with the result that whatever has been bought is the buyer's by right of possession <> from agora = market place where things were exposed for sale, a forum, a place in which the people assemble and where public trials were held) means literally to buy out of (the preposition "ek" = out of) the market place. The idea is not just to redeem but to completely redeem.
Exagorazo is used 4 times in the NT (Gal 3:13; 4:5; Eph 5:16; Col 4:5) and is translated: making the most, 2; redeem, 1; redeemed
John Phillips - We are stewards of our time. Time is a nonrenewable resource. It slips past us at an alarming rate. Once it's gone, it's gone. It can never be recalled. We invest each fleeting moment with something even if it is only idleness. Solomon had a well-developed appreciation of the value of time (Eccl. 3:1-8). It was sad that he wasted so much of it in personal aggrandizement and desecrated even more of it by his carnality and worldliness! Solomon does not seem to have practiced much of what he preached. "Redeem the time," says Paul. Suppose that a wealthy man were to give someone $1440 a day to spend. He had to spend it. The gift did not allow him to save it, still less to hoard it. At the end of each day what was not spent was lost. The same sum would arrive every day until the end of life. Then an accounting would be made of what the recipient had done with the sum. There it was $1440 a day to spend or squander, to be used buying things for oneself or in helping others, to be wasted on trifles or invested for eternity. Every day God gives us 1440 minutes to be spent by us and us alone. We have to spend it. We cannot save up some of today's time for tomorrow. We have none of yesterday's time left over for today. All of these precious minutes are ours. However, when life is over, there will be a strict accounting of what we have done with that time. We, as Christians, will give our accounting at the judgment seat of Christ. The unsaved will render account at the Great White Throne. But an accounting will be made.
THE FIRST MEANING
OF EXAGORAZO
There are two basic uses of exagorazo in the NT, the first speaking of the believer's redemption from slavery to sin.
Paul uses exagorazo twice in Galatians with this meaning, writing that
Christ redeemed us (bought us out and out or fully from) from (ek = out of) the curse of the Law (which is death, the penalty for breaking the Law), having become a curse for (on behalf of ~ substitution) us-- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE" (Gal 3:13)
The Welsh translation of this verse says that “Christ hath wholly purchased us from the curse of the law.” The Galatians imagined that Christ only half purchased them, and that they had to purchase the rest by their submission to circumcision and other Jewish rites and ceremonies. Hence their readiness to be led away by false teachers and to mix up Christianity and Judaism. Paul says in essence "No, you have been wholly purchased from the curse".
In the second similar use in of exagorazo in Galatians Paul explains that
when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem (exagorazo) those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Gal 4:4, 5)
Comment: Those who under the law are no better than slaves (cp Gal 4:1) will receive full and complete adoption as sons. It is worthy of noting that God's purpose in redemption is not just to rescue sinners from bondage to the power of Sin but to adopt them as His sons. Amazing grace indeed.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
Those who believe in Christ are bought out from their slavery to Sin, the payment price He paid being the only one high enough to redeem all of mankind, the
precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ (1Pe 1:19-note), context 1Pe 1:18).
Since Christ has purchased men out of the slave market of sin (sin caused us to be under the curse of the Law) by His own blood, believers now are His bondslaves and He has the right of possession. Paul using the root verb (agorazo) writes that believers "have been bought with a price (agorazo - a past completed transaction never to be repeated).
Therefore glorify God in your body." (1Cor 6:20-note)
Stated another way, the redeemed are never again to be put up for sale in the slave market.
The root verb from which exagorazo is derived (agorazo - word study) is used frequently in the Septuagint (LXX, Greek of the Hebrew OT) with the idea that such deliverance involves cost of some kind, effort, suffering, or loss to the one who effects the deliverance.
MacArthur commenting on this verse writes that exagorazo
"has the basic meaning of buying, especially of buying back or buying out. It was used of buying a slave in order to set him free; thus the idea of redemption is implied in this verse. We are to redeem, buy up, all the time that we have and devote it to the Lord. The Greek is in the middle voice, indicating that we are to buy the time up for ourselves—for our own use but in the Lord’s service. (MacArthur, J: Ephesians. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)
THE SECOND MEANING
OF EXAGORAZO
The second meaning of exagorazo is to "buy up" and is the meaning here in Colossians and the parallel passage in Ephesians. It means to to gain something, especially an advantage or opportunity. To make the most of.
Exagorazo is used to translate the Aramaic in Daniel 2:8 where Nebuchadnezzar saw through his seers trickery (to entice him to tell them the dream, upon which they would tell him the interpretation) and answered
“I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, inasmuch as you have seen that the command from me is firm." (Daniel 2:8)
The phrase "bargaining for time" is translated in the Greek with exagorazo and kairos (see below) just as in Colossians and Ephesians.
BDAG notes that
"the king’s oneiromancers (interpreters of dreams) face an hour of peril in which there are no options except to deliver what the monarch requests. The middle voice (ton kairon exagorazomenoi) in Col 4:5; Eph 5:16 appropriately expresses choice in perilous times" (Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature)
Making the most of the opportunity means to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way, and in the context of this section in Colossians refers to an opportunity to speak the gospel.
In Ephesians Paul exhorts the saints to
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of (exagorazo - buying up each opportunity) your time (kairos) because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ep 5:15, 16, 17-see notes Ep 5:15; 16; 17)
Hodge adds that (Eph 5:16) can be translated
"availing yourselves of the occasion,” i.e. improving every opportunity for good." (Hodge, C. Commentary on Ephesians)
In both (Eph 5:16) and here in (Col 4:5) Paul uses the middle voice which conveys a "reflexive" sense to the verb - the idea then is of buying up for oneself (middle voice = "buying up for yourselves," "for your own advantage"), of buying up the opportunity, the season, the space of time in which something is seasonable, and of turning each opportunity to the best advantage for oneself.
Thayer says that exagorazo as used in (Eph 5:16) and (Col 4:5) means to
"Buy up, buy up or out of for one's self and so to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well doing are as it were the purchase money by which we make the time our own."
The UBS Handbook Series adds that
"The readers are being told to seize and use every opportunity to carry on their Christian witness, because these are evil days, In some languages it is necessary to specify what is involved in every opportunity. Accordingly, it may be necessary to translate make good use of every opportunity you have as “every time you can do something good you should” or “you should use every chance to do good”. (The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series or Logos)
The idea then is turning each season (kairos) to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed.
Every time you can do something good you should.
Kenneth Wuest translates Col 4:5
"buying up for yourselves the strategic, opportune time."
He translates Eph 5:16 similarly as
buying up for yourselves the opportune time, because the days are pernicious.
The idea is to be habitually, continually ''buying up'' all that is anywhere to be bought and not allowing the moment (THE KAIROS) to pass by unheeded or unused but to make it one’s own.
Ironside said...
Time is given us to use in view of eternity.
As someone has said
Beware of wasting the present. Instead of killing time, redeem your spare moments today. Wasting the gift of time insults the Giver of time.
Redeem the time! God only knows
How soon our little life may close,
With all its pleasures and its woes,
Redeem the time!
— Anonymous
God set a goal, yet gave the choice
To mortals how time may be spent,
Admonishing that worth, not length,
Values time's accomplishment.
— Mortenson
The idea is not to make best use of time as such (although that is certainly advisable), which is what we should do in the sense of not wasting it, but of taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. God is a God of providence and He providentially gives/allows opportunities for which we must be spiritually alert and ready to redeem.
Daniel Whedon - Redeeming the time—Better, buying up for yourselves the opportunity. Olshausen remarks (from Beza) that “the phrase is taken from the figure of a provident merchant who uses everything for his ends.” We are to watch for the opportunity to commend the gospel and win a soul, seizing the right time to speak, in order that we may advance the Master’s cause.
John Trapp - Redeeming the time] Opportunities are headlong, and must be timously laid hold on, or all is lost. {See Trapp's comments below on Eph 5:16} It is said of Hooper the martyr, that he was spare of diet, sparer of words, and sparest of time. Latimer rose usually at two of the clock in a morning to his study. Bradford slept not commonly more than four hours in the night, and in his bed, till sleep came, his book went not out of his hand. He counted that hour not well spent wherein he did not some good, either with his pen, tongue, or study. These worthies well weighed what a modern writer hath well observed, that they that lose time are the greatest losers and wastefullest prodigals. For of all other possessions two may be had together, but two moments of time (much less two opportunities of time) cannot be possessed together.
Redeeming the time] As wise merchants, trading for the most precious commodity, and taking their best opportunity. The common complaint is, We lack time; but the truth is, we do not so much lack it as waste it. Non parum habemus temporis, sed multum perdimus. (Sen.) The men of Issachar were in great account with David, because they had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 1 Chronicles 12:32. So are they in great account with God that regard and use the season of well doing. It is reported of holy Ignatius, that when he heard a clock strike, he would say, here is one hour more now past that I have to answer for. And of Mr Hooper the martyr, that he was spare of diet, sparer of words, and sparest of time; for he well knew that whereas of all other possessions a man might have two at once, he cannot have two moments of time at once, for any money.
WATCH
FOR OPPORTUNITIES
“Redeeming the time.” Chances must be sought for putting in the right word, and when God sends it we must make the most of it. We must go on the principle of now or never. This will make us eager to embrace opportunities; and in turn we must urge the undecided to embrace Christ at once. Every act of kindness to the unconverted will help us. (T. L. Cuyler, D. D.)
Redeeming the Time - As a wise mariner when the wind arises, and the waters threaten, and the presages of a tempest appear, hauls in his sails and prepares for the storm, then, accommodating himself to the violence of the waves, lets drive a little, not daring to bear up full against it, all to gain time and redeem himself by such care and conduct out of so sad and angry a season; so Paul would have us use the same industry to ward off the blows which are menaced by the unfavorable disposition towards us of those without.
Redeeming the time. Take a lesson from--
I. The merchant. How he redeems the time; by wise employment of capital, by sedulous attention to his business, by sagacious plans, watchfulness for openings, and correct balancing of his affairs from time to time. Here is an example for the Christian, who should augment and employ his spiritual capital of gifts and graces, by industry, intelligence, and self-denial, and know exactly how his soul stands with God.
II. The farmer. Note his knowledge and thrifty management of his stock and crops. How carefully he prepares the ground at the proper season, then sows the seed, then removes all obstructions from the soil, reaps and garners the harvest, and finally seeks the best market to sell it in. Where would the farmer be but for his constant and habitual redemption of time. The Christian should act like him in regard to the Divine seed-wheat in his own mind or that of others (Ecclesiastes 11:6; Isaiah 32:20; Psalms 126:6)
.
III. The student, philosopher, and statesman. No man ever rose to eminence who did not wisely employ his time. The student economizes every moment and never tires in his researches. The philosopher tests by science and reason the mysteries of nature, omitting no opportunity or detail. And thus the statesman studies the complicated problems of politics and provides for their solution in season and out. And so the Christian student, the eyes of whose understanding are opened, ponders Divine truth. The Christian philosopher here learns the origin, nature, and end of all things. And the Christian, being a statesman, too, feeds on schemes of advancement for the kingdom of God. But in each capacity he needs to redeem the time; and if any day passes without embracing some opportunity for learning new truth, or doing some fresh good, he should feel with that Roman Emperor who said, “I have lost a day.” (J. G. Angley, M. A.)
Alexander Maclaren - The duties of those within to these without - Those who are within are those who have “fled for refuge” to Christ, and are within the fold, the fortress, the ark. Men who sit safe within while the storm howls, may simply think with selfish complacency of those exposed to its fierceness. The phrase may express spiritual pride and even contempt. All close corporations tend to generate dislike and scorn of outsiders, and the Church has had its own share of such feeling; but there is no trace of anything of the sort here. Rather is there pathos and pity in the world, and a recognition that their sad condition gives these outsiders a claim on Christian men, who are bound to go out to their help to bring them in. Precisely because they are “without” do those within owe them a wise walk, that “if any will not hear the Word, they may without the Word be won.” We owe them such a walk as may tend to bring them in, and if our walk does not seem to them very attractive, small wonder if they prefer to remain where they are. Let us take care lest instead of being door-keepers to the house of the Lord, to beckon passers-by and draw them in, we block the doorway, and keep them from seeing the wonders within. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
Redeeming the time - The wheels of nature are not made to roll backward; everything presses on towards eternity; from the birth of time, an impetuous current has set in, which bears all the sons of men towards that interminable ocean. Meanwhile, heaven is attracting to itself whatever is congenial to its nature, is enriching itself by the spoils of earth, and collecting within its capacious bosom whatever is pure, permanent, and Divine, leaving nothing for the last fire to consume but the objects and the slaves of concupiscence; while everything which grace has prepared and beautified shall be gathered, from the ruins of the world, to adorn the eternal city, “which hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God doth enlighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” Let us obey the voice that calls us thither, let us seek the things that are above, and no longer cleave to a world which must shortly perish, and which we must shortly quit, while we neglect to prepare for that in which we are invited to dwell for ever. (Robert Hall.)
The redemption of time
I. The importance of time. This may be inferred from the names given it in Scripture--“The day of salvation,” “The acceptable year of the Lord,” “An appointed time.” It is the season in which alone the business of religion can be transacted. Those advise badly who say “there is time enough yet,” for who knows what a day may bring forth. It may be longer or shorter, but the day of salvation, like any other, is limited, and must soon come to an end.
II. The rapidity of the flight of time. “Time and tide wait for no man.” The little we have on hand is all we have, and even this short space is hurrying on so fast that to catch it is like dipping your hand in a running stream which glides through the fingers that would detain it. The Egyptians represented it as a serpent creeping on silently and gliding away imperceptibly. And yet there are those who act as though it had no assignable limit.
III. The large portion of our time lost. The season of boyhood--much of which was wasted in indolence; the season of youth--much of which was simply dissipated; the season of riper years--how much of that is being lost in the pursuit of shadows. Some misspend time because they have no proper object to engage their attention. How many fashionable people there are who are quite at a loss what to make of themselves. Others lose much time in mere delays and in expecting what will never come.
IV. The best means of redeeming it.
1. Misspend no more. Treasure up scraps of time. He who is prodigal of a minute spends far above his estate.
2. Rise early.
3. Husband your time well during the day. (T. Watson, B. A.)
Time: A creation of God which marks the duration of life and which is measured by changes in the created order. The flow of time is directed by God who appoints particular “times” within his unfolding purposes. Because human life is brief, time should be used properly, making the most of every opportunity. (Manser, Martin H., Dictionary of Bible Themes)
If time is a ring of gold, opportunity is the rich diamond that gives it both its value and glory. (J. Flavel.)
The value of time - The value set on time by the Duke of Wellington was one of his most marked characteristics. He once wrote to Dr. Hutton for information as to the scientific acquirements of a young officer who had been under his instructions. The doctor thought he could not do less than answer the question verbally, and made an appointment accordingly. Directly the Duke saw him he said, “I am obliged to you, doctor, for the trouble you have taken. Is--fit for the post?” Clearing his throat Dr. Hutton began, “No man more so; I can--” “That’s quite sufficient,” said Wellington, “I know how valuable your time is; mine just now is equally so. I will not detain you any longer. Good-morning.” On another occasion he made an appointment with a civic dignitary who was five minutes late, and on finding the Duke watch in hand and very angry, pleaded, “It is only five minutes, your grace.” “Only five minutes!” he replied, “five minutes unpunctuality would have before now lost me a battle.” Next time the magnate took care, as he thought, to be on the safe side. When the Duke appeared he greeted him rather triumphantly. “You see, your grace, I was five minutes before you this time.” “Shows how little you know time’s value,” said the old Field Marshal, “I am here to the moment. I cannot afford to waste five minutes.”
Wesley’s economy of time - The diligence of Mr. Wesley in redeeming time has often been noticed; but it is scarcely possible for those who were not intimate with him to have a just idea of his faithfulness in this respect. In many things he was gentle and easy to be entreated; in this, decided and inexorable. One day his chaise was delayed beyond the appointed time He had put up his papers and left the apartment. While waiting at the door he was heard to say, “I have lost ten minutes for ever.” (W. Baxendale.)
Christianity gives real value to life for it "is a life that impels the seizure of every opportunity for good-doing. “Redeeming the time “--buying up the opportunities. Opportunity is the flower of time which blooms for a moment and is gone for ever." (G Barlow)
WATCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES “Redeeming the time.” Chances must be sought for putting in the right word, and when God sends it we must make the most of it. We must go on the principle of now or never. This will make us eager to embrace opportunities; and in turn we must urge the undecided to embrace Christ at once. Every act of kindness to the unconverted will help us. (T. L. Cuyler, D. D.)
The redemption of time
I. Why time should be redeemed.
1. It is the most choice and precious thing in the world.
2. When once passed, it never returns.
3. It must be one day accounted for.
4. The shortness and uncertainty of human life.
5. Because of the work we have to do, and the difficulty of doing it.
6. Because we have already lost so large a proportion of the time allowed us.
II. How it may be redeemed.
1. Observe a method in the distribution of your time.
2. Be moderate in your recreations.
3. Cut off, as much as may he, unnecessary visits.
4. Examine, every evening, how you have spent the day. (Bishop Horne.)
P. Grant on The merchandise of time
The word here translated “redeem” literally means to purchase in the market, and is quite different from the theological term, which means to re-purchase. Time is thus presented to us as a precious commodity.
I. The obligations to the practice of making merchandise of time.
1. On the mode in which we employ our time our everlasting destiny depends. One of the plainest principles of commerce is that any commodity is desirable in proportion to the returns it is capable of securing. The same principle applies here. The everlasting consequences which flow from it give to time transcendent value. Were it not for these we might say, “Let us eat and drink,” etc. Just as a merchant, then, is most anxious about a profitable bargain so ought we to be about redeeming the time.
2. Time is short and uncertain. In commerce the rarity of an article enhances its value, and should any doubt exist as to another opportunity for procuring it the merchant is proportionately anxious to obtain it without delay. Had we for certain a considerable period to live in our neglect might be excused; but as it is we are bad spiritual merchants if we fail to redeem the time.
3. Unless you check the progress of sin now it will become every day more difficult, and eventually become impossible. What merchant would allow an unprofitable line of business to lengthen out as men do the life of sin. He stops promptly, lest by delay all chance of retrieving his fortune should be gone.
II. Directions for complying with the exhortation.
1. Have a plan or system for the distribution of time. Every man of business knows the importance of pre-arrangement and method. How much more so is this on which hang such infinite issues. In your plan set aside time for devotion.
2. Beware of those things which rob you of the best portion of it.
(1) Idleness.
3. Watch for and improve those occasions in which you can best promote not only your own eternal interests but those of others, and particularly of your family.
4. Accustom yourselves to serious and impartial self-examination. Take stock as men of business do.
The shortness of time
Time’s a hand’s breadth; ‘tis a tale;
’Tis a vessel under sail;
’Tis an eagle in its way,
Darting down upon its prey;
’Tis an arrow in its flight,
Mocking the pursuing sight;
’Tis a short-lived fading flower;
’Tis a rainbow on a shower;
’Tis a momentary ray
Smiling in a winter’s day;
’Tis a torrent’s rapid stream;
’Tis a shadow; ’tis a dream;
’Tis the closing watch of night,
Dying at the rising light;
’Tis a bubble; ’tis a sigh;
Be prepared, O man, to die.
(Quarles.)
L. O. Thompson - The right use of time
If this year is to be more valuable than the last, we must more carefully attend to the use of our time.
I. When to use time rightly.
1. Now. The present moment is a king in disguise.
2. While it is ours. The past is a memory; the future, an undivided inheritance.
3. The present is the only moment which can be used.
II. How to use time rightly.
1. By a circumspect walk.
2. By wisdom in its employment.
3. By helpful recreation. Avoid the two extremes of overwork and no work.
4. By the redemption of every fleeting moment. Take care of the seconds, and the hours will take care of themselves. Devote it all to God.
III. Why should we use time rightly?
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