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Though evil men are not to be the subjects of the Christian's choice, yet he must sometimes fall into their company or go out of the world (1 Corinthians 5:10). Civil commerce with them is lawful, though friendship be sinful. Christianity must help us as a glass window to let in the light but keep out the rain. The apostle gives us a special precept for our pious carriage among ungodly men.

I. THE QUALIFICATION OF THE ACT — "Walk wisely." He who walketh according to the rule of the Word is a wise walker (Job 28:28; Psalm 119:1; Galatians 6:16). We must walk by precept, not by pattern: he may be a good courtier but a bad Christian who suits his conduct to his company. If, like musicians, we play no lessons but what the company calls for, our music will be jarring in the ears of God (Galatians 1:10).

II. THE SPECIFICATION OF THE SUBJECT. Wicked men are said to be without.

1. Because visible without the Church (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).

2. Really without God and Christ (Ephesians 2:12).

3. Eventually without heaven (Revelation 22:15; Luke 13:25).

III. MOTIVES FOR CAUTION.

1. Evil company is infectious (Psalm 106:35).

2. See that when compelled to mingle with it that thou get good from it: let it show thee the importance of wisdom and watchfulness.

IV. RULES FOR CONDUCT.

1. Keep thyself unspotted from sin. Wicked men, as dyers and painters, are besmeared themselves and besmear others. The saint should resemble the carbuncle, which being cast in the fire, shines all the brighter. Rust will fret into the hardest steel, but not into the emerald. Thy duty is, as clothes well dyed, to keep thy colour in all weathers; and, as a good constitution, to retain thy health in the most unwholesome vapours.

2. Do not needlessly expose thyself to suffering. Christ did not commit himself to the Jews, because He knew their hearts. Set a watch before thy tongue lest it prove thy sepulchre (Ecclesiastes 3:7; Amos 5:13). Thy care must be always to own Christ, but as thy policy should not eat up thy zeal neither should thy zeal thy wisdom. Zeal to a Christian is like the high wind filling the sails of a ship, which unless it be ballasted with discretion doth but the sooner overturn it.

3. Be sure thou dost not deny Christ and disown thy profession. Though it behoveth thee to walk wisely, because sinners lie in wait to destroy thy life, yet be careful not to walk wickedly, for sin lieth in wait to destroy thy soul. The light of religion ought not to be carried in a dark lantern, and only shown when interest permits (Matthew 10:33; 2 Kings 17:41; Nehemiah 13:24).

4. Labour to get some good by such as are evil. A gracious person may improve the vilest sinner's company to his own spiritual profit.

(1) Let thy zeal be more inflamed (Psalm 119:39, 127).

(2) Let thy heart be more enlarged in thankfulness that Christ hath saved thee.

(3) Thy care and watchfulness should be increased. The falls of others should be sea-marks for warning to avoid those rocks and shallows if thou wouldest avoid shipwreck (1 Corinthians 10:6, 16).

5. Endeavour their reformation. Thy duty as a good physician is to loathe the noisome disease, but to pity and strive to recover the patient. Thy Father doth good to all; remember thou are His son and copy Him. Christ never sat at table with sinners but He made better cheer than He found. Be not discouraged at the weakness of thy gifts, but consider that the event depends upon Him who set thee at work, and that it is all one to Him whether thou hast great, small, or no means. A fly may hinder an elephant from sleeping. A little boat may land a man on a large continent. Endeavour to reform them.

(1) By wholesome counsel. There is a special art in baiting the hook aright, so as thou mayest take sinners ere they are aware (2 Corinthians 12:16). When amongst moral men commend morality, yet discover its insufficiency, and so cause them to run to Christ for help (Matthew 5:20). When amongst the profane bring in wisely an instance of God's judgments. Sometimes conversation on earthly subjects may be turned "by degrees into heavenly. Do they ask, "What news?" After prudent preface say that thou canst tell them good news from a far country — Christ Jesus came to save sinners. Do they ask how such and such do? Acquaint them of their worldly welfare, and, if convenient, of the health of their soul. Do they ask the price of commodities? Raise their heart to the wine and milk to be had without money, etc. This is true alchemy and will turn all to gold. See our Lord's example (Matthew 15:20; John 4:21; John 6:25-27).

(2) By thy gracious carriage in their company. A Christian is God's jewel (Malachi 3:17), and should always cast a radiancy before the eyes of others (Philippians 2:15; Titus 2:7, 8); 1 Peter 3:15, 16). Grace powerfully but silently opposes wickedness, and forces reverence from its bitterest enemies. The righteousness of Noah condemned the old world; the holiness of John gained respect from Herod; the sanctity of the three worthies triumphed in the conscience of Nebuchadnezzar, and the innocence of Daniel in the soul of Darius (1 Peter 2:11-12).

(3) By faithful reprehension; but —

(a) Be sure the thing thou reprovest be a sin. Some show much heat but little holiness in making a great stir about nothing (Joshua 22:16; Samuel 2). It is dangerous to apply medicines on the bare supposition of sickness. Then, again, he that reproves the deed will do more harm than good if he is not able to convince the doer (Titus 1:9; Job 6:25). Mistaken or misapplied arguments seldom reprove any but the arguer, and him they always reprove.

(b) Reprove seriously. Reproof is an edged tool and must not be jested with. Cold reproofs are like the noise of cannons a great way off. He that reproves sin merrily and makes the company laugh will destroy the sinner instead of his sin. Some men shoot their reprehensions, like pellets through a pipe, with no more strength than would kill a sparrow. He that would hit the mark must draw his arrow of reproof home. The hammer of the word breaks not the heart if it be laid lightly on. Be the reproof never so gracious, and the plaster never so good, it will be ineffectual if not applied to the patient himself (2 Samuel 12:7; Acts 2:36-37).

(c) Reprove seasonably. It is not necessary and convenient at all seasons. The best medicine will be thrown away if given at an unfit time. A fool will always be talking, but a wise man will keep a word for afterward (Proverbs 29.). Small fish are twitched up with the violence of a sudden pull, when the like action would break the line whereon a great one hangs. Fabius conquered by delaying, but Caesar overcame by expedition.

(d) Reprove prudently (Proverbs 25:12). Every mountebank is not fit for this office. Have respect to the quality of the person. Superiors must be amended, by exhortation, equals by friendly admonition, inferiors by gentle reproof. Have respect also to the disposition of the offender. Some in their fainting fits are recovered easily with sprinkling cold water on their faces, others must be rubbed hard. Some men are like briars, and have to be handled gently; others, like nettles, have to be dealt with roughly (Jude 1:22, 23). The sturdy oak will not be so easily bent as the gentle willow. Respect also is to be had to faults. Wise physicians will distinguish between a pimple and a plague sore. Who would give so great a blow to kill a fly as to kill an ox?

(e) Reprove compassionately. The iron of Asher's shoes were dipped in oil. Reproofs should be as ointments gently rubbed in by the warm fire of love. The reprover should have a lion's stout heart if he would be faithful, and a lady's soft hand, or he is not likely to be successful. He that would gather fruit must pluck the bough gently towards him; if too hard he may break it.

6. Mourn for the sins thou canst not amend (Psalm 119:135; 2 Peter 2:8).

(G. Swinnock, M. A.)

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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.