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The Church sojourns for the most part amidst people of another profession. Whole nations have shut the door against Christ. In so-called Christian nations vast multitudes are non-Christian. Even in private families there is this partition. Hence the apostle having regulated the duties of Christians among themselves now points out those toward aliens.

I. OUR CONVERSATION WITH THOSE WHO ARE WITHOUT IN GENERAL.

1. We are to walk wisely; not that we are to walk foolishly amongst ourselves. But as when a soldier is in an enemy's country he stands much more on his guard, and as we use more ceremony towards strangers than friends; so we are to be more careful before the world than the Church.

(1) The end in view is to win them to Christ, or to prevent, at least, their taking offence at religion when in our accidental encounters or our deliberate designs. In our converse as civil subjects with foreigners it would not be suffered us to attempt to withdraw them from their allegiance, but as subjects of Christ our main duty is to rescue the slaves of Satan the common enemy.

(2) In pursuing this end the diversity of the persons has to be carefully considered, their different conditions and capacities. The same things do not suit all, and all are not averse to religion, and while there are those who are of a furious disposition, there are those who are sweet and tractable. The Master (Matthew 7:6) urges this wise discrimination, and intimates the disastrous consequences of the want of it, which experience also confirms. But we are to love all alike, while we treat them differently (Matthew 5:44).

(3) The choice of means.

(a) Christian wisdom excludes all actions contrary to piety, which are quite contrary to the end in view as well as offensive to God, conscience, and our neighbour, repelling from instead of attracting men to Christ (2 Samuel 12:14; Romans 2:23-24; 1 Timothy 6:1; 2 Corinthians 6:3; Titus 2:10).

(b) We owe those that are without not only abstinence from evil, but the performance of what is good (Romans 13:7-8). God forbid that we should ever allow the conceit that it is lawful to break promises with them or deceive them. God will not be served with unrighteousness and treachery. Dues must be rendered too, not from fear, but for conscience sake.

(c) But we are not only to yield what they can rightly claim, but humanity, courtesy, assistance, as often as, and even before they ask, and thus imitate Him who blesses both the just and the unjust. Account any one your neighbour, even if a Samaritan or pagan. By this at least you will prevent him calumniating your religion.

(d) We must accommodate ourselves as far as piety will admit; not needlessly opposing them, nay, willingly yielding our rights and conforming ourselves to their wills in things indifferent, that they may see that our piety is not founded on capriciousness (1 Corinthians 9:19-22; cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15).

(e) We must also avoid all actions or speeches likely to annoy.

2. Redeeming the time contains the utility and fruit of this wise demeanour (Daniel 2:8; Ephesians 5:15-16). As a wise mariner when the wind arises, and the waters threaten, and the presages of a tempest appear, hauls in his sails and prepares for the storm, then, accommodating himself to the violence of the waves, lets drive a little, not daring to bear up full against it, all to gain time and redeem himself by such care and conduct out of so sad and angry a season; so Paul would have us use the same industry to ward off the blows which are menaced by the unfavourable disposition towards us of those without.

II. THE QUALITIES IN PARTICULAR WHICH OUR SPEECH OUGHT TO HAVE IN THAT CONVERSE. "Let your speech," etc.

1. This is necessary (1 Peter 3:15). This is the most tender part of our converse with men, and should be managed with the greatest exactness. An answer here is capable of amending or impairing the condition of a whole Christian people. Wise and moderate discourse has sometimes averted or stayed persecution; whereas indiscreet, although true, speech has mightily troubled the peace of the Church. How needful, then, that our speech should be with grace.

2. The qualities.

(1) Truth is presupposed (Ephesians 4:25).

(2) Grace is not rhetorical embellishment, but speech without gall, venom, and virulency, and so managed as not to offend.

(3) Well salted, i.e., seasoned with prudence; for as salt dessicates meat and eats out the moisture and putrid humour, leaving a sharpness pleasing to the taste, so Christian prudence works out all that is noxious from speech and tempers it in such a manner that the vigour it leaves pleases the spirit.

3. The use — that it may appear that we know how to answer every one.

(1) Paul's calling our discourses an answering intimates that we should not speak without judgment and deliberation.

(2) We ought to diversify our speech according to the difference of persons. The dispositions of some require firmness and freedom, those of others tenderness.

(J. Daille.)

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KJV: Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

WEB: Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.