Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Colossian church in a closing exhortation, sandwiched between conduct toward outsiders (v. 5) and the dispatch of Tychicus (v. 7).

The words — ἅλατι (halati), "with salt," is a genitive of instrument attached to ἠρτυμμένος ("seasoned"), making the image one of flavoring rather than merely adding. χάριτι (chariti), "in grace," governs the whole clause as the mode or arena of the speech.

The thread — Ephesians 4:29 restricts speech to what builds up; 1 Peter 3:15 demands readiness to give a defense; Ecclesiastes 10:12 contrasts the gracious words of the wise with the self-consuming speech of the fool.

Why it lands — The verse asks that your words be simultaneously kind and sharp, useful in real conversation, not a private virtue but a public skill.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ὁho[Let] the λόγοςlogosspeech ὑμῶνhumōnof you πάντοτεpantote[be] always ἐνenin χάριτι,charitigrace,ἅλατιhalatiwith salt ἠρτυμένος,ērtumenosseasoned,εἰδέναιeidenaito know πῶςpōshow δεῖdeiit behooves ὑμᾶςhumasyou ἑνὶhenione ἑκάστῳhekastōeach ἀποκρίνεσθαι.¶apokrinesthaito answer.

King James Version

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

Cross-references

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Mark 9:50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Proverbs 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Proverbs 22:17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—
Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.