6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6 (ESV)
“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” ― Benjamin Franklin
“Men of few words are the best men.” ― William Shakespeare, Henry V (3.2.41)
“Women speak because they wish to speak, whereas a man speaks only when driven to speak by something outside himself-like, for instance, he can’t find any clean socks.” – Jean Kerr
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” – King Solomon (Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
The New Testament Scriptures are not silent regarding the believer’s speech, talk and conversations. Today’s biblical text says a believer’s speech is always to be gracious. Gracious (χάριτι; chariti) refers to kindness, thankfulness and good will. Notice, the text says this gracious speech is “always” to characterize the believer.
“Believers are to speak words which are spiritual, wholesome, uplifting, kind, sensitive, purposeful, complimentary, gentle, truthful, loving, and thoughtful,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
How often are our words characterized by such adjectives stated by Dr. MacArthur? I shutter to think how my words are perceived by those to whom I speak. Am I known as one whose speech is filled with kindness, thankfulness and good will?
The Apostle Paul also used the expression “seasoned with salt.” In the ancient world, salt was not only used for flavor, but also as a food preservative. In the same way, our speech should be a blessing and a purifying influence in this morally decadent world.
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
“Let your speech always be gracious … note always, that is, both in addressing a group or in talking to the neighbor, both when conversing with an equal or when replying to someone in authority, to rich and poor alike, not only in proclaiming the message of salvation but also in discussing the weather,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
“When gracious speech becomes their habit, they (believers) will not use improper language when suddenly confronted with a difficult situation; for example, when summoned to appear before a worldly judge or when persecuted for the faith.”
“Negatively, such speech will not be abusive (Rom. 1:29–32; 2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:19–21, 26; Eph. 4:31; Titus 3:2). Neither will it be vindictive. It will be patterned after the example of Christ who “when he was reviled did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23). Positively, it will be truthful and loving. Perhaps the best description of gracious speech is found in the words of Paul himself: “speaking truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).” and the best example in the words of Jesus, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34),” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.
The phrase “so that you may know how you ought to answer each person,” refers to speaking the right words, to the right person, at the right time. It is not only imperative to know what are the right words to say, but also when to say them, and to whom.
May the Lord continue to give us grace in order for us to be gracious to one another; especially in our speech.
Soli deo Gloria!
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