40 Bible Verses About Redeeming the Time

Time is one of God’s greatest gifts. Every moment we live is an opportunity to grow in wisdom, serve others, and fulfill our divine purpose. Sadly, many people waste precious time on unprofitable things, forgetting that our days are limited. The Scripture repeatedly encourages believers to make the best use of time because it cannot be recovered once lost. This article highlights 40 Bible verses about redeeming the time to help you live wisely and purposefully in God’s will.

What Does the Bible Say About Redeeming Time?

The Bible consistently emphasizes that time is sacred. From Genesis to Revelation, we are reminded that each day given by God carries purpose. To “redeem the time” means to use every opportunity to glorify God, serve others, and walk in obedience to His Word.

In Ephesians 5:15–16, Paul advises believers to “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” This means that we should not live carelessly but with awareness that time is short, and every decision we make has eternal consequences.

God expects us to live intentionally. Each hour wasted on sin, procrastination, or distraction is time we can never regain. Therefore, bible verses about redeeming the time remind us that spiritual maturity involves managing our time wisely according to God’s priorities.

What Is the Meaning of “Redeeming the Time” in Ephesians 5:16?

The phrase “redeeming the time” in Ephesians 5:16 comes from the Greek word exagorazó, which means “to buy back” or “to make the most of every opportunity.” Paul wrote this to the Ephesian church to remind them to live carefully in an evil world and to use their time for godly pursuits.

To redeem the time means:

Making the most of every opportunity for good.
Avoiding laziness, sin, or idle distractions.
Being sensitive to God’s will daily.
Living with eternity in mind.

In other words, God wants us to “buy up” every moment and use it wisely for His glory. The days are evil, meaning the world’s system constantly works against godly living. Therefore, we must intentionally dedicate our time to spiritual growth, helping others, and doing good works that please God.

Benefits of Redeeming the Time

Redeeming time comes with numerous spiritual and practical benefits. Below are some reasons why using time wisely is essential in a believer’s life:

It deepens your relationship with God: When you invest time in prayer, worship, and studying God’s Word, you grow spiritually stronger and more discerning.
It helps you fulfill your purpose: Using time effectively allows you to focus on your divine assignment rather than living aimlessly.
It brings peace and contentment: A disciplined life free from procrastination leads to a sense of fulfillment and joy.
It leads to productivity and success: God rewards diligence. Those who use their time wisely experience divine favor and fruitfulness.
It improves relationships: Redeeming the time helps you nurture meaningful connections with family, friends, and the body of Christ.
It prepares you for eternity: Every moment lived for God counts toward eternal reward. Time invested in serving Him is never wasted.

Consequences of Not Redeeming the Time

Failing to redeem the time can lead to spiritual decline and regret. The Bible warns about the dangers of idleness, laziness, and distraction. Here are some consequences of not managing time wisely:

Missed opportunities: When you delay obedience, you may miss divine moments that could change your destiny.
Spiritual dryness: Neglecting prayer and the Word leads to weakness and vulnerability to sin.
Wasted potential: Every minute not used for God’s purpose is a lost chance to fulfill destiny.
Regret and sorrow: Many realize too late that they wasted their youth or ignored God’s call.
Judgment: Matthew 12:36 reminds us that we will give an account for every idle word and action. The same applies to wasted time.

Redeeming time means living intentionally, making every second count, and refusing to waste your life on things that don’t align with God’s plan.

40 Bible Verses About Redeeming the Time

Here are 40 powerful Bible verses about redeeming the time to inspire you to live wisely and make every second count for God.

Ephesians 5:16 (KJV) “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Colossians 4:5 (KJV) “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”
Psalm 90:12 (KJV) “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV) “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Proverbs 16:9 (KJV) “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”
James 4:14 (KJV) “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
John 9:4 (KJV) “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
Romans 13:11 (KJV) “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
Proverbs 27:1 (KJV) “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
Galatians 6:9 (KJV) “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Psalm 31:15 (KJV) “My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.”
Ecclesiastes 8:6 (KJV) “Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.”
Colossians 3:17 (KJV) “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV) “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”
Matthew 6:33 (KJV) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV) “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Proverbs 24:33-34 (KJV) “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.”
John 12:35 (KJV) “Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.”
Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Proverbs 14:23 (KJV) “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.”
Psalm 39:4-5 (KJV) “Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.”
Luke 12:40 (KJV) “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
Matthew 25:13 (KJV) “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6 (KJV) “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV) “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
2 Peter 3:8 (KJV) “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years.”
Proverbs 12:24 (KJV) “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”
1 Peter 1:17 (KJV) “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.”
Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV) “…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark.”
2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV) “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Romans 12:11 (KJV) “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”
Matthew 24:44 (KJV) “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Galatians 6:10 (KJV) “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men.”
1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV) “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (KJV) “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.”
Psalm 37:23 (KJV) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJV) “If any would not work, neither should he eat.”
Luke 16:10 (KJV) “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”
Isaiah 55:6 (KJV) “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”

Conclusion

Time is precious. Every moment we live is a gift to serve God and fulfill our purpose. These bible verses about redeeming the time remind us that life is short, and we must live wisely, making every day count. Redeeming the time is not about working endlessly but about aligning your priorities with God’s will.

Ask God to teach you how to manage your time, focus on what truly matters, and live with eternity in mind. Remember, you cannot recover lost time, but you can redeem the moments ahead by walking in wisdom, diligence, and obedience to God.