Paragraph 5:15–17

In 5:15, 5:17 and 5:18, Paul gives three pairs of commands:

5:15 “walk…not as unwise but as wise”

5:17 “do not be foolish, but understand…”

5:18 “do not get drunk…. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Revised Standard Version).

In each case Paul gives a negative command (something to not do) followed by “but” or “Instead,” then a positive command (something to do). Think how to translate these commands naturally in your language. Here are some possibilities:

• In some languages, it will be better to use a conjunction other than “but” to link the negative and positive commands, for example:

Do not behave like unwise people; instead, behave like wise people.

• In some languages, it is best to use no conjunction at all, for example:

Do not behave like unwise people. Behave like wise people!

• In some languages, it is more natural to put the positive first. For example:

Behave like wise people; do not behave as unwise people.

5:15a

Pay careful attention: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Pay careful attention is literally “Therefore look/see carefully,” which is a Greek way of telling them “to pay or give attention to” something. Paul is giving a warning to his audience about how they should live their lives.

then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then is a logical connector that introduces an appeal based on what he has said in the earlier part of chapter 5. This word is not a time word. It can be translated as:

therefore (NET Bible)
-or-
so (New Century Version)
-or-
so then (God’s Word)

walk: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as walk means “to behave or live.” See the notes on “walk” in 2:2a, 2:10c, 4:1b and 5:8c.

5:15b

unwise…wise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wise refers to the ability to understand what happens and decide on the right action. So unwise has the opposite meaning. Here is another way to translate the word unwise :

foolish people (God’s Word)

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