Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming the time. Literally, “buying up for yourselves the opportune time,” that is, making the most of the opportunity (cf. Col. 4:5). To take advantage of every moment of time for great and noble purposes is the obligation and privilege of every Christian. Redeeming the time is more than simply refraining from idleness or frivolous activities. A person is not good merely because he is not bad. Like Jesus, one must be “about” his “Father’s business” (Luke 2:49), actively seeking opportunity to do good (Gal. 6:10), even to one’s enemies (Matt. 5:44). In the parable of the Unjust Steward, Jesus pointed to the diligence and wisdom of the merchants of the world in conducting their affairs, as an example to the children of light (see on Luke 16:1-12).

Days are evil. The necessity for seizing every opportunity that arises is apparent when one considers how life is exposed continuously to evil of all kinds, not only the prevailing moral evil, but ill-health, persecution, and mental suffering, which deprive the Christian of many opportunities to serve (cf. Eccl. 12:1; Amos 5:13).