Precisionism

Moving into a discussion of ethical living in the domestic spheres of marriage, family, and slaves, Paul continues to expound the life of gratitude for believers. These first few verses speak to the general nature of the walk of the Christian in the domestic realm, and the primary focus is on the nature of the walk. One word, "careful," puts great emphasis upon the exactness of the Christian walk and the specifics of the walk are clarified in a series of "not...but" constructions while an immediate application of what it means to walk carefully is expanded upon on in v16.