Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
In the closing of the commentary on verse 16, we touched on the reason for redeeming the time. The most important things are often not what immediately grabs our attention. Instead, we find ourselves maxed out with important things that are urgent, and no time for the most important things that are not ‘urgent’.
We reference back to verse 16 as that is what is happening in verse 17 when it opens with ‘wherefore’. It’s alluding to the previous verse where Paul has stated: the days are evil (full of calamity).
He urges us, yet again, do not be unwise. Or if phrased in a ‘do’ manner – be wise! It echoes back to verse 15 – walk wisely. The repetition of this command ought to highlight how important acquiring wisdom ought to be in the life of the Christian.
Don’t be unwise. Be wise. Indeed, Proverbs 4:7 tells us, ‘Wisdom is the principal (first, choice) thing, therefore get wisdom!’ Old or New testament, the emphasis and command is the same – be wise! An entire book of the Bible is devoted to wisdom. What should be getting taught more in the church is that of wisdom, and yet tragically, we see that by far and large, wisdom is ignored.
Being unwise in this passage is compared with ‘understanding what the will of the Lord is’. Thus we could create the following formula: wise = understanding what the will of the Lord is
Why is this wisdom? Because if one works against the will of the Lord, it will be for naught. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. (Ps 127:1)
What then is the will of the Lord? There is the general will of the Lord, that we can find in Scripture: sanctification and thanksgiving (1Th 4:3, 5:18) to name two. The general will of the Lord is that which applies to all humanity. Consider the preaching of Paul to the men of Athens (Acts 17:30) – God now commands (wills) all men every where to repent.
There is also the individually-specific will of the Lord. This will pertains to that individual direction God gives to each person. This does not apply to others necessarily. Examples would be the many prophets with their different commands (God’s will for that individual in that moment), whether it was to return a different way and eat no food in the place they were sent (1Ki 13:15-17), marrying a prostitute (Hos 1:2), or not cutting their hair (Judges 13:5). There may be areas that God directs you to act – this also is His will and is you-specific.
Whichever it is, wisdom is found in understanding what His will is. Notice that it’s not simply knowing – it’s understanding. The logical inference would be that in understanding, we do. Knowledge is the beginning, but it will fall short on its own. We must understand – it’s in understanding that we will be able to do.
Pray every day for that understanding. Seek after the wisdom that will allow you to know and understand God’s will.
Talking Bible 
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