Colossians 4:5

Cf. Ephesians 5:15. An exhortation to wise conduct in relation to non-Christians. τοὺς ἔξω : those outside the Church; the reference is suggested by the mention of θύραν τ. λόγου. They must be wise in their relations with them so as not to give them an unfavourable impression of the Gospel. τὸν καιρὸν ἐξαγοραζόμενοι : “making your market fully from the occasion” (Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller, p. 149). They are to seize the fitting opportunity when it occurs to do good to “those without,” and thus promote the spread of the Gospel.