Colossians 4:6

4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

KJV

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.

4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

What does Colossians 4:6 mean?

Colossians 4:6 is a verse in the book of Colossians, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include σύ (humon), λόγος (logos), πάντοτε (pantote). It connects to 32 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Let

yourσύhumon/hoo-mone'/G5216genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).

speechλόγοςlogos/log'-os/G3056from 3004; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

alwayπάντοτεpantote/pan'-tot-eh/G3842from 3956 and 3753; every when, i.e. at all times:--alway(-s), ever(-more).

withἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

grace,χάριςcharis/khar'-ece/G5485from 5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).

seasonedἀρτύωartuo/ar-too'-o/G741from a presumed derivative of 142; to prepare, i.e. spice (with stimulating condiments):--season.

with

salt,ἅλας ἅλαhalas/hal'-as/G217from 251; salt; figuratively, prudence:--salt.

that

may

knowοἶδα οιδα ὁράωeidoG1492a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare 3700.

howπῶς πώςpos/poce/G4459adverb from the base of 4226; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!:--how, after (by) what manner (means), that. (Occasionally unexpressed in English).

yeσύhumas/hoo-mas'/G5209accusative case of 5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).

oughtδεῖdei/die/G11633d person singular active present of 1210; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding):--behoved, be meet, must (needs), (be) need(-ful), ought, should.

answerἀποκρίνομαιapokrinomai/ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee/G611from 575 and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare 6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.

everyἕκαστοςhekastos/hek'-as-tos/G1538as if a superlative of hekas (afar); each or every:--any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly.

man.εἷςheis/hice/G1520(including the neuter (etc.) hen); a primary numeral; one:--a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also 1527, 3367, 3391, 3762.

Commentary on Colossians 4:6

HENRY_FULL · Colossians 4:5–6

a. d. 62.) 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. The apostle exhorts them further to a prudent and decent conduct towards all those with whom they conversed, towards the heathen world, or those out of the Christian church among whom they lived ( v. 5 ): Walk in wisdom towards those who are without. Be careful, in all your converse with them, to get no hurt by them, or contract any of their customs; for evil communications corrupt good manners; and to do not hurt to them, or increase their prejudices against religion, and give them an occasion of dislike. Yea, do them all the good you can, and by all the fittest means and in the proper seasons recommend religion to them.— Redeeming the time; that is, either "improving every opportunity of doing them good, and making the best use of your time in proper duty" (diligence in redeeming time very much recommends religion to the good opinion of others), or else "walking cautiously and with circumspections, to give them no advantage against you, nor expose yourselves to their malice and ill-will," Eph. v. 15, 16 . Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, that is, dangerous, or times of trouble and suffering. And towards others, or those who are within as well as those who are without, "Let your speech be always with grace, v. 6 . Let all your discourse be as becomes Christians, suitable to your profession—savoury, discreet, seasonable." Though it be not always of grace, it must be always with grace; and, though the matter of our discourse be that which is common, yet there must be an air of piety upon it and it must be in a Christian manner seasoned with salt. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, makes it savoury, and keeps it from corrupting. That you may know how to answer every man. One answer is proper for one man, and another for another man Prov. xxvi. 4, 5 . We have need of a great deal of wisdom and grace to give proper answers to every man, particularly in answering the questions and objections of adversaries against our religion, giving the reasons of our faith, and showing the unreasonableness of their exceptions and cavils to the best advantage for our cause and least prejudice to ourselves. Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear, 1 Pet. iii. 15 . Various Salutations. (

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Job 17:9

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. be: Heb. add strength

Psalms 42:1

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Maschil: or, A Psalm giving instruction of the sons, etc panteth: Heb. brayeth

Psalms 63:1

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; thirsty: Heb. weary where: without water

Psalms 63:8

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Isaiah 51:1

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

Hosea 6:3

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Acts 9:3 Acts 9:15 Romans 7:19 1 Corinthians 13:10 2 Corinthians 7:1 2 Corinthians 13:9 Galatians 5:17 Ephesians 1:4 Ephesians 4:12 Colossians 4:13 Colossians 4:14 Colossians 4:16 1 Thessalonians 5:15 2 Thessalonians 2:13 1 Timothy 5:10 1 Timothy 6:11 1 Timothy 6:12 Hebrews 12:14 Hebrews 12:23 Hebrews 13:21 James 3:2 1 Peter 3:11 1 Peter 5:10 2 Peter 1:5 2 Peter 3:18

Topics

Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As Salt

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Colossians 4:6.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Luke 14:34

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

Mark 9:50

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Matthew 10:14

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Matthew 15:12

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

Matthew 2:16

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Matthew 2:2

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Matthew 2:9

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Frequently asked questions

What does Colossians 4:6 say?

Colossians 4:6 (King James Version) reads: "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Is Colossians 4:6 in the Old or New Testament?

Colossians 4:6 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Colossians.

Reflect

As you read Colossians 4:6, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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