Ἐξαγοράζω
Ephesians 5:16
Excerpt
Ἐξαγοράζω is used twice to demand the buying up of the time (Eph 5:16; Col 4:5); this imperative use of the vb., ἐξαγοράζετε τὸν καιρόν, is derived from the wisdom tradition. In contrast to Dan 2:8 LXX this does not mean “gain time for oneself,” but rather buy up the time in taking advantage of all the possibilities at hand, esp. with the double connotation of καιρός as limited period of time (1 Cor 7:29) and as decisive moment (e.g., Rom 13:11): the time given by God until the end of the world and the opportunity that is offered which is not to be left unused. Thus Col 4:5 is determined by the missionary motivation and objective of winning those who remain outside, while the more general exhortation in Eph 5:16, which is probably derived from Col 4:5, is based on the dangerous, Satanic end time (cf. 6:12f., 16).Balz, Horst Robert, and Gerhard Schneider. Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament 1990– : 1. Print.
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