Theological Reflections

Volume 2, Issue 1 – April 2025

Discerning the Time and Mission รู้กาลเทสะ รู้-ใช้โอกาสแต่ไม่ฉวยโอกาส Ephesians 5:16

Date: 3 April 2025

Author: Dr. Chansamone Saiyasak (Professor Religious Studies and Missiology), Theological Commissions & Religious Liberty Commissions of Evangelical Fellowship of Thailand & Asia Evangelical Alliance (a WEA-Regional Alliance) | Author’s Profile

In the context of a Thai group that conducted the proclamation of doomsday message in Bangkok during earthquake on March 28, 2025, that has drawn backlash from the general population of the Thai people and the resulting damage that has come to the image of Christianity and Christ, which is the reasons that I am writing this article. It seems that one of the main arguments for this type of proclamation that this Thai group and other groups have favored centers on the understanding of Ephesians 5:16 in the Thai word ฉวยโอกาส (chuay-okat).

One of the most commonly misunderstood Bible verses among Thai Christians is Ephesians 5:16, which says, “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (English Standard Version/ESV). The Thai Bible has many translations. Here, I want to bring up five Thai versions that are commonly used: 1. The Thai Standard Version (THSV11): "จงใช้โอกาสให้เป็นประโยชน์ เพราะว่าทุกวันนี้เป็นยุคสมัยที่ชั่วร้าย" เอเฟซัส Chong chai okat hai pen prayot, phro wa thuk wan ni pen yuk samai thi chua rai” 2. New Thai Version (NTV): “จงทำดีที่สุดในทุกโอกาสเพราะยามนี้เป็นเวลาแห่งความชั่ว Chong tham dii thîi sùt nai thúk ò-gaat práw yaam níi bpen wee-laa h̀aeng khwǎam chûa." 3. The New Contemporary Bible Version: “จงรู้จักใช้ทุกโอกาสเพราะเวลานี้เป็นยุคอันเลวร้าย Chong rúu-jàk chái thúk ò-gaat práw wee-laa níi bpen yúk an leo-ráai” 4. Thai King James Version (TKJV): “จงฉวยโอกาสเพราะว่าทุกวันนี้เป็นกาลที่ชั่ว Chong chǔai ò-gaat práw wâa thúk wan níi bpen gaan thîi chûa” 5. Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-TH): “ให้ฉวยโอกาสที่จะทำดี เพราะทุกวันนี้มีแต่ความชั่วร้าย Hâi chǔai ò-gaat thîi jà tham dii, práw thúk wan níi mii dtàe khwǎam chûa ráai”

The misunderstanding could possibly come from the Thai translations. First of all, in Thai, the word used for “Making the best use of the time” are: “จงใช้โอกาส Chong chai okat,” “จงทำดีที่สุดในทุกโอกาส Chong tham dii thîi sùt nai thúk ò-gaat,” “จงรู้จักใช้ทุกโอกาส Chong rúu-jàk chái thúk ò-gaat,” และ “ให้/จงฉวยโอกาส.” The last translation “ให้/จงฉวยโอกาส Hâi/Chong chǔai ò-gaat ” which often carries a negative connotation, implying opportunism or taking advantage of situations for personal gain. However, the original Greek phrase for Ephesians 5:16 is “exagorazomenoi (ἐξαγοραζόμενοι) ton kairos,” which means “redeem or make full use of the appointed time.”

The first three Thai translations, “จงใช้โอกาส,” “จงทำดีที่สุดในทุกโอกาส,” “จงรู้จักใช้ทุกโอกาส,” render a closer translation to the Greek and English versions both in meaning and intent than the last Thai translation “ให้/จงฉวยโอกาส.” The meaning and intent are that we “discern รู้จัก,” “make use of ใช้โอกาส,” and “do the best จงทำดีที่สุด.” It does call for “discernment” in making use of the opportunity and then we are to do everything that we possible can (“do the best”) in that opportunity. The scripture here sets the limit of how we are to carry out the “making use of” the opportunity. It does not give us the license to do what we want and how we want it. On the contrary, it calls for discernment of God's timing and will.

Secondly, the misunderstanding may have stemmed from the word “Kairos (καιρόν)” refers to “season, right time, opportune moment,” and it does not mean “just anytime or opportunity” (not just chronological time chronos) but a "specific window of opportunity within God’s plan or God’s special moment." Thus, the “redeeming or making use of God’s special moment” must align with God’s will and timing through discernment.

Another critical factor in determining the meaning and intent of Ephesians 5:16 is to look at the whole context of the passage, which is 5:15-17, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” The whole context give clarity to grasp the meaning and intent of verse 16. The context calls for discerning carefully and wisely God’s specific moment—not to be foolish/unwise and careless—and also to make use of the opportunity with discernment, carefulness, wisdom, understanding, and spiritual readiness.

Being attentative to and knowing the context (รู้กาลเทสะ Rúu gala-thé-sa) —“how you walk”— is part of the discernment and alignment with God’s will and timing. This concurs with the other two passages from the Apostle Paul and Solomon: Proverbs 19:2 (NET), "It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices," and Romans 10:2-3, "For I can testify that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not in line with the truth. For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness."

With this, I hope that we use this scriptural passage, in particular verse 16 within its scope, meaning and intent, in order to achieve the purpose that God has for us, especially in carrying out our proclamation of the Gospel in fulfillment of the Great Commission. It's of utmost importance that we discern God's time and will by discernment รู้กาลเทสะ Rúu gala-thé-sa in order to be in alignment with the intention of this passage.

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