Commentaries:
The "disorderly walking" was that they were not working. They were waiting it out until Christ returned. Paul called that a deviation from the traditions. God's children work, but these people were not working, slothfully waiting for Jesus to come back.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Unity (Part 5): Ephesians 4 (B)
God has His traditions, and the major difference between divine and human traditions is that His are right and true—and they work! However, because conversion is a process, and we do not instantly and magically know all of God's traditions, we bring our former traditions into the church with us. Thus, the church is set up for conflict. This is a major reason for the writing of the book of Ephesians. It shows that, for there to be unity, both Israelite and Gentile have to submit to Christ because both of their cultures and traditions are wrong!
John W. Ritenbaugh
Submitting (Part 1)
The result of their interpretation of an imminent return of Christ was that some of the more excitable ones quit their jobs. His return was one of the important and recurring subjects of conversations with them. They added to that by becoming busybodies—spending their time talking excitedly but doing no work—and so their minds were continually disturbed, excited, by what they thought were signs of the imminent return of Jesus Christ. They were convinced that the Day of the Lord was already happening, and in a very short time Christ Himself would make His appearance.
John W. Ritenbaugh
A Place of Safety? (Part 4)
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Ephesians 5:21
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
2 Thessalonians 2:15
James 4:7
1 Peter 2:13
1 Peter 5:5
1 Peter 5:5-6
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