Pearls of the Word

(Back to Index)

 

 



Redeeming the time

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as unwise people but as wise, redeeming [exagorazo] the time [kairos], because the days are evil [poneros]" (Ephesians 5:15-16).

The Greek word exagorazo means 'to redeem by paying a ransom', 'to redeem from the power of another'. The Greek word poneros means bad, evil; it points out to the devil's power as indicated by Jesus in His prayer, "But deliver us from the evil [poneros] one" (Matthew 6:13).

God has His kairos time, but Satan also has his own since it is written, "The devil departed from Him (Jesus) until an opportune [kairos] time" (Luke 4:13). Jesus redeemed [exagorazo] us by paying a ransom, but He also redeemed kairos time for us. That is why we need to be filled with His Spirit to discern the will of God and to behave wisely, that is to seize God's kairos time.