Colossians 4:6
WEB
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
BSB
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
KJV
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G3056
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
Derivation: from G3004;
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)
KJV: 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.
See also: G3004.
G4771
thou
Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;
thou
KJV: thou.
See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
G3842
alway(-s), ever(-more)
Derivation: from G3956 and G3753;
every when, i.e. at all times
KJV: alway(-s), ever(-more).
See also: G3956, G3753.
G1722
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)
Derivation: a 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 G1519 and G1537);
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV: 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.
See also: G1519, G1537.
G5485
acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)
Derivation: from G5463;
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)
KJV: acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).
See also: G5463.
G217
salt
Derivation: from G251;
salt; figuratively, prudence
KJV: salt.
See also: G251.
G741
season
Derivation: from a presumed derivative of G142;
to prepare, i.e. spice (with stimulating condiments)
KJV: season.
See also: G142.
G4459
how, after (by) what manner (means), that
Derivation: adverb from the base of G4226;
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
KJV: how, after (by) what manner (means), that.
(Occasionally unexpressed in English).
See also: G4226.
G1210
bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind
Derivation: a primary verb;
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
KJV: bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind.
See also G1163, G1189.
See also: G1163, G1189.
G1520
a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some
(including the neuter (etc.) hen);
Derivation: a primary numeral;
one
KJV: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some.
See also G1527, G3367, G3391, G3762.
See also: G1527, G3367, G3391, G3762.
G1538
any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly
Derivation: as if a superlative of ἕκας (afar);
each or every
KJV: any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly.
G611
answer
Derivation: from G575 and κρίνω;
to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
KJV: answer.
See also: G575, H6030.
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Verses 5–6
Colossians 4:5–6
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 (Col 4:5): 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 5:15, Eph 5:16. 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, Col 4:6. 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 Pro 26:4, Pro 26:5. 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, Pe1 3:15.
Cross-references: Col 4:5 · Eph 5:15 · Eph 5:16 · Col 4:6 · Prov 26:4 · Prov 26:5 · 1Pet 3:15