Sermon Tone Analysis

Circumspectly Definition

209 ἀκριβῶς (akribōs): adv.; ≡ Str 199 & 197—LN 72.19 accurately, implying care and adequateness (Mt 2:8; Lk 1:3; Ac 18:25, 26; 23:15, 20; 24:22; Eph 5:15; 1Th 5:2+)

15. that—rather as Greek, “See how ye walk,” &c.

The double idea is compressed into one sentence: “See (take heed) how ye walk,” and “See that ye walk circumspectly.”

The manner, as well as the act itself, is included.

See how ye are walking, with a view to your being circumspect (literally, accurate, exact) in your walk.

Compare Col 4:5, “Walk in wisdom (answering to ‘as wise’ here) toward them that are without” (answering to “circumspectly,” that is, correctly, in relation to the unbelievers around, not giving occasion of stumbling to any, but edifying all by a consistent walk).

5:15–17.

The world in which we live is filled with dangers and deceptions.

It is not always easy to live an enlightened life even when we want to.

We can get tripped up or ambushed by events and people without even being aware of the danger.

We must be very careful to live our life rooted in wisdom, using our time wisely.

Not to do so would be foolish.

The will of the Lord is that we live carefully, cautiously, always matching our lifestyle with the teachings of Scripture.

15.

See that ye walk circumspectly (βλέπετε πῶς ἀκριβῶς περιπατεῖτε).

Lit., look how exactly ye walk.

The best texts place πῶς how after ἀκριβῶς exactly.

So Rev., look carefully how ye walk.

Circumspectly is better rendered carefully.

It means exactly, accurately, from ἄκρος the farthest point.

See on inquired diligently, Matt.

2:6; and compare Luke 1:3; Acts 18:25, notes.

(5:15, 16) “See” is blepō (βλεπω), “to discern mentally, observe perceive, consider, contemplate, look to in the sense of taking care, take heed.”

“Circumspectly” is akribōs (ἀκριβως), “exactly, accurately, carefully.”

“Walk” is peripateō (περιπατεω), “to order one’s behavior, to conduct one’s self.”

The translation reads, “Be constantly taking heed how accurately you are conducting yourselves.”

That is, see to it that your conduct is accurate with respect to the demands of the Word of God.

It is like a motorist accurately following on the right side of the center line dividing traffic.

See carefully how ye walk.”

That is to say, “Except the Gospel message, give no other handle on any score whatever, for the hatred which you will incur.”

Let this be the only ground of hatred.

Let no one have any other charge to make against you; but show all deference and obedience, whenever it does no harm to the message, whenever it does not stand in the way of godliness.

For it is said, “Render to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute, custom to whom custom.”

(Rom.

13:7.)

For when amongst the rest of the world they shall see us forbearing, they will be put to shame.

After the text reminds the children of light of who they are, it exhorts them to watch very carefully how [they] walk (for walking as a metaphor for living, cf.

2:1–10; 4:17–5:2).

The wise are asked to watch carefully how they walk.

One might initially interpret this in light of the vulnerability of the children of light to stray from the way of goodness, justice, and truth (5:9).

It is more likely, however, that watching carefully should be understood in relation to 5:16—exploiting the moment to the full, because the days are evil.

The meaning of that line is not immediately clear, however.

Verses 15–20 return to a more general exhortation and rely on the contrast between wise/foolish and drunk/filled with the spirit.

By means of the repeated use of “walk” for “live” (cf.

5:2, 8) Ephesian Christians are reminded to be careful about their lifestyles.

By means of the repeated use of “walk” for “live” (cf.

5:2, 8) Ephesian Christians are reminded to be careful about their lifestyles.

In the writer’s understanding, to be wise is to discern the will of God (see v. 10; cf.

Ps. 111:10; Prov 1:7; and Matt 10:16).

And in moral terms, wisdom also includes the ability to anticipate the consequences of an act before it is done.

The present tense of the verb indicates continual action; constant vigilance is required.

I think necessity drove Paul to his methods.

He moved quickly from town to town, met all sorts of people, gathered churches wherever he went.

Most people he met didn’t have a clue about what it meant to be Christian.

He was gathering more Gentiles than Jews.

Religious instruction was not part of a Gentile’s life.

They had gathered half-truths and cultural trash from all over the Mediterranean world.

All of these people wanted to be Christians.

But they had a lot to unlearn.

Into this moral, cultural blending pot came the Apostle Paul.

His job was not only to persuade people to become Christians, but also to teach converts what it meant to think and act like Christians.

So, like hundreds of missionaries since Paul, he went about the job of teaching people how to act like Christians.

Circumspect comes from two Latin words which mean “looking around.”

The Greek word carries the idea of precision and accuracy.

“See that you walk carefully, with exactness” is the meaning.

The opposite would be walking carelessly and without proper guidance and forethought.

We cannot leave the Christian life to chance.

We must make wise decisions and seek to do the will of God.

Ephesians 5:14–15 are related.

Paul appeared to be saying, “Don’t walk in your sleep!

Wake up! Open your eyes!

Make the most of the day!”

It is sad to see many professed Christians “drift” through life, like sleepwalkers, who never really make the most of opportunities to live for Christ and serve Him.

Paul presented several reasons why we should be accurate and careful in our walk.

It is a mark of wisdom (v.

15).

Only a fool drifts with the wind and tide.

A wise man marks out his course, sets his sails, and guides the rudder until he reaches his destination.

When a man wants to build a house, he first draws his plans so he knows what he is doing.

Yet, how many Christians plan their days so that they use their opportunities wisely?

True, we cannot know what a day may bring forth (James 4:13–17).

But it is also true that a planned life can better deal with unexpected events.

Someone said, “When the pilot does not know what port he is heading for, no wind is the right wind.”

The word “circumspectly” (v.

15) carries the idea of looking around carefully so as not to stumble.

It means walking intelligently and not in ignorance.

How foolish to stumble along through life and never seek to know the will of the Lord!

Instead of walking “accurately” (which is equivalent to “circumspectly”), they miss the mark, miss the road, and end up suffering on some detour.

God wants us to be wise and understand His will for our lives.

Circumspect behaviour:—

I. THE DUTY—“Walk circumspectly,” i.e., diligently, carefully.

The phrase imports such a caution and exactness in our Christian conversation, as resembles that which men use when walking on the top of a precipice or the summit of a building, where a small misstep would endanger a fall, and a fall would be fatal.

1. Walk circumspectly, that you may keep within the line of your duty.

Religion is not an extended plain, in which you may walk at large, and turn to any point without passing its limits; but a strait and narrow path, in which you must pursue one steady course without diverting to either side.

(1) Be watchful to retain a sense of virtue and rectitude.

(2) 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.

Your greatest security lies in watchfulness and prayer, lest you enter into temptations.

If they meet you, resist them; but your first care must be to avoid them.

3. Walk circumspectly, that you may wisely comport with the aspects of Providence.

The beauty of religion, yea, religion itself, greatly consists in the correspondence of your temper and behaviour with your existing circumstances.

In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider.

4. Be circumspect, that you may do every duty in its time and place.

5. Walk circumspectly, that your good may not be evil spoken of.