Let your speech always be graciousThis phrase emphasizes the importance of maintaining a kind and courteous manner in communication. In the Greco-Roman world, eloquence and rhetoric were highly valued, and Paul encourages believers to go beyond mere eloquence to embody grace in their speech. This aligns with
Proverbs 15:1, which highlights the power of gentle words to defuse anger. The concept of grace in speech reflects the character of Christ, who spoke with authority yet with compassion and understanding (
Luke 4:22).
seasoned with salt
Salt was a valuable commodity in the ancient world, used for preservation and flavor. Here, it symbolizes speech that is both preserving and enhancing. In biblical times, salt was also associated with wisdom and covenant (Leviticus 2:13). Jesus referred to His followers as the "salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13), indicating their role in preserving godly values in the world. Speech seasoned with salt suggests words that are wise, impactful, and purifying, avoiding corruption and decay.
so that you may know how to answer everyone
This phrase underscores the need for readiness and discernment in responding to others. It echoes1 Peter 3:15, which instructs believers to always be prepared to give an answer for their hope. The context of Colossians involves addressing false teachings and cultural pressures, requiring believers to be equipped with knowledge and wisdom. The ability to answer everyone effectively is rooted in understanding Scripture and being led by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that responses are both truthful and loving.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Colossians, writing from prison to encourage and instruct the church in Colossae.
2.
ColossaeAn ancient city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where the church addressed in this letter was located.
3.
The Colossian ChurchThe recipients of Paul's letter, a group of early Christians facing challenges from false teachings and cultural pressures.
Teaching Points
Gracious SpeechOur words should reflect the grace we have received from Christ. This means speaking with kindness, patience, and love, even in challenging situations.
Seasoned with SaltJust as salt enhances flavor, our speech should enhance and bring out the best in conversations. This involves wisdom, discernment, and a readiness to speak truth in love.
Preparedness in CommunicationBeing prepared to answer everyone requires a deep understanding of our faith and the ability to communicate it effectively. This involves studying Scripture and being led by the Holy Spirit.
Impact of WordsRecognize the power of words to influence and impact others positively or negatively. As Christians, we are called to use our words to edify and encourage.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Colossians 4:6?
2.How can our speech be "always full of grace" in daily conversations?
3.What does "seasoned with salt" mean in Colossians 4:6?
4.How does Colossians 4:6 connect with Proverbs 15:1 about gentle answers?
5.In what ways can we prepare to "answer everyone" as instructed?
6.How can Colossians 4:6 guide our interactions on social media platforms?
7.How does Colossians 4:6 guide Christian communication in today's society?
8.What does "seasoned with salt" mean in Colossians 4:6?
9.How can Colossians 4:6 influence our interactions with non-believers?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Colossians 4?
11.How can you speak with grace and thoughtfulness?
12.How can you speak with grace and thoughtfulness?
13.What does 'seasoned with salt' mean?
14.How can I effectively manage family issues?What Does Colossians 4:6 Mean
Let your speech always be gracious– Paul’s command covers every conversation, public or private. Gracious words consistently reflect the kindness God has shown us (Ephesians 4:29;Proverbs 16:24).
• Treat people as image–bearers, not obstacles.
• Speak with patience, even when you are wronged (2 Timothy 2:24).
• Aim for edification more than for winning arguments (Romans 14:19).
Gracious speech does not excuse sin but conveys truth in a tone that invites rather than repels.
Seasoned with salt– Salt adds flavor and hinders decay; our words should do the same (Matthew 5:13;Mark 9:50).
• Flavor: make the gospel attractive through fresh, thoughtful expressions (Proverbs 15:23).
• Preservation: speak moral clarity that slows society’s drift into corruption (Ephesians 4:15).
• Balance: salt enhances but never overpowers; let truth stand out without harshness.
A “salty” believer’s vocabulary carries moral weight while remaining winsome.
So that you may know how to answer everyone– Gracious, salty speech equips us for any audience—skeptics, seekers, or saints (1 Peter 3:15).
• Readiness: prayerful study of Scripture provides content (2 Timothy 2:15).
• Sensitivity: listen first, then tailor your reply (Proverbs 18:13;Colossians 1:28).
• Humility: appeal to conscience, not ego, because we represent Christ, not ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:20).
When words mirror both the compassion and conviction of Jesus, we speak with confidence and accuracy.
summaryColossians 4:6 calls believers to let every line they utter be gracious, yet seasoned with the truth-preserving bite of salt. Such speech—kind in tone, clear in conviction, ready for any question—magnifies Christ, blesses hearers, and steadies us as faithful witnesses in a world hungry for both grace and truth.
(6)
Seasoned with salt.--It seems impossible not to trace here a reference to our Lord's words in
Mark 9:50, "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves." There the salt is spoken of as the preservative from corruption, and the warning against "corrupt" words in
Ephesians 4:29 has been thought to point in the same direction. But the context appears certainly to suggest that the use of the salt is to teach "how to answer every man," and that this answer (like the "reason," or
defence,of
1Peter 3:15) is to be given to "those without." Probably, therefore, the "seasoning with salt" is to provide against insipidity (thus according to some extent with the classic usage of the word). Their speech is to be primarily "with grace," kindled by the true life of Christian grace in it; secondarily, however, it is to have good sense and point, so as to be effective for the inquirer or against the scoffer.
Verse 6. - (Let)
your speech (literally,
word) (be)
always with grace, seasoned with salt (
Ephesians 4:29, 31;
Ephesians 5:3, 4;
Titus 2:8;
Matthew 12:34-37;
Luke 4:22;
Psalm 45:2). "Word" (
λόγος) has its common acceptation, as in
Colossians 3:17;
Colossians 2:23;
Titus 2:8;
2 Timothy 2:17;
James 3:2. "With grace" (
ἐν χάριτι) gives the pervading element of Christian speech; as "in wisdom," of Christian behaviour (ver. 5). "Grace," here without the article, is not, as in
Colossians 3:16, where the article should probably be read, "the (Divine) grace," but a property of speech itself, "gracefulness" the kindly, winning pleasantness which makes the talk of a good and thoughtful man attractive: comp.
Psalm 45:2 (44:3, LXX);
Ecclesiastes 10:12 (LXX); Sir. 21:16. "Salt" is the "wholesome point and pertinency" (Ellicott)
seasoning conversation, while grace
sweetens it. The clause which follows indicates that "salt" denotes here, as commonly in Greek (instance the phrase, "Attic salt"), an intellectual rather than a moral quality of speech. In
Ephesians 4:29 the connection is different, and the application more general (comp.
Matthew 5:13;
Mark 9:49, 50).
That you may know how you ought to answer each one (ver. 4;
1 Peter 3:15;
Philippians 1:27, 28;
2 Thessalonians 2:17). The Colossians were to pray for the apostle that he might "speak the mystery of Christ... as he ought to speak;" and he bids them seek for themselves the same gift of
παρρησία, liberty of speech and readiness to "every good word." For their faith was assailed by persuasive sophistry (
Colossians 2:4, 8, 23) and by brew-beating dogmatism (
Colossians 2:16, 18, 20, 21). They were, like St. Paul, "set for the defence of the gospel," placed in the van of the conflict against heresy. They needed, therefore, "to have all their wits about them," so as to be able, as occasion required, to make answer to each of their opponents and questioners, that they might "contend" wisely as well as "earnestly for the faith."
1 Peter 3:15 is a commentary on this verse: the parallelism is the closer because that Epistle was addressed to Churches in Asia Minor, where the debates out of which Gnosticism arose were beginning to be rife; and because, likewise, "the hope that was in them" was a chief object of the attack made on the Colossian believers (
Colossians 1:5, 23, 27;
Colossians 2:18;
Colossians 3:15). With this exhortation the Christian teaching of the Epistle is concluded. In its third and practical part (
Colossians 3:1-4:6) the apostle has built up, on the foundation of the doctrine laid down in the first chapter, and in place of the attractive but false and pernicious system denounced in the second, a lofty and complete ideal of the Christian life. He has led us from the contemplation of its "life of life" in the innermost mystery of union with Christ and of its glorious destiny in him (
Colossians 3:1-4), through the soul's interior death-struggle with its old corruptions (vers. 5-11) and its investment with the graces of its new life (vers. 12-15), to the expression and outward acting of that life in the mutual edification of the Church (vers. 16, 17), in the obedience and devotion of the family circle (ver. 18 -
Colossians 4:1), in constant prayerfulness and sympathy with the ministers and suffering witnesses of Christ (vers. 2-4), and, lastly, in such converse with men of the world, and in the midst of the distracting debate by which faith is assailed, as shall fittingly commend the Christian cause.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[Let] yourὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.speechλόγος(logos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056:From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.always [be]πάντοτε(pantote)Adverb
Strong's 3842:Always, at all times, ever. From pas and hote; every when, i.e. At all times.gracious,χάριτι(chariti)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485:From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.seasonedἠρτυμένος(ērtymenos)Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 741:Prop: I arrange, make ready; I season, flavor. From a presumed derivative of airo; to prepare, i.e. Spice.with salt,ἅλατι(halati)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 217:Salt. From hals; salt; figuratively, prudence.so that you may knowεἰδέναι(eidenai)Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active
Strong's 1492:To know, remember, appreciate.howπῶς(pōs)Adverb
Strong's 4459:Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!to answerἀποκρίνεσθαι(apokrinesthai)Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 611:From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.everyone.ἑκάστῳ(hekastō)Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1538:Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.
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NT Letters: Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace (Coloss. Col Co) 
