Colossians 4:6

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Colossians 4:6

(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,”... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Colossians 4:1-18

The Claim of the Outsider Colossians 4:5 I. Note the distinction here assumed, 'them that are without,' which necessarily implies them that are within. This distinction is assumed throughout the New Testament. (1) The reality of this division. We serve one master: on the best of authority we affirm this. We obey one law; the higher law of the mind, or the lower of the flesh. We develop one character. Our character is the outcome of one dominant idea, one reigning purpose, one master-passion.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Colossians 4:2-6

Chapter 4 PRECEPTS FOR THE INNERMOST AND OUTERMOST LIFE Colossians 4:2-6 (R.V.)So ends the ethical portion of the Epistle. A glance over the series of practical exhortations, from the beginning of the preceding chapter onwards, will show that, in general terms we may say that they deal successively with a Christian’s duties to himself, the Church, and the family. And now, these last advices touch the two extremes of life, the first of them having reference to the hidden life of prayer, and the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Colossians 4:2-18

CHAPTER 4 1. Prayer and ministry (Colossians 4:2-4 ) 2. Walking in wisdom (Colossians 4:5-6 ) 3. The fellowship of the saints in their service (Colossians 4:7-17 ) 4. The conclusion (Colossians 4:18 ) Colossians 4:2-4 The first verse of this chapter belongs to the preceding one. Prayer is the most needed thing for those who are risen with Christ and know that they are complete in Him. Without continued prayer the full realization of the great truths unfolded in this Epistle is impossible.... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Colossians 4:6

4:6 {5} Let your speech [be] alway with {d} grace, seasoned with {e} salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.(5) Our speech and talk must be applied to the profit of the hearers.(d) Fit for the profit of your neighbour.(e) Against this is set filthy communication, as in Ephesians 4:29 . read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 4:1-18

There is no reason for a chapter division at this point, for the responsibility of masters is closely linked with that of servants, which we have seen would include the relationship between employers and employees or teachers and students. A believing master is called upon to be totally impartial in caring for the needs of his servants, giving to his servants what is just and fair (v.1). What is just is what is right as before God. What is fair is what does not favor one above another. This is... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Colossians 4:1-18

THE HORTATORY PART The Christian being “dead with Christ,” is dead “from the rudiments of the world”; in other words, worldly methods of obtaining “perfection” are something with which he has nothing to do. Why then should he act to the contrary, “after the commandments and doctrines of men” (Colossians 2:20 ; Colossians 2:22 )? Why should he ascribe salvation or any part of it, to things which “perish with the using”? Why should he come under a law which says “touch not, taste not,... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Colossians 4:1-6

(1) Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. (2) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (5) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (6) Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 4:2-6

2-6 No duties can be done aright, unless we persevere in fervent prayer, and watch therein with thanksgiving. The people are to pray particularly for their ministers. Believers are exhorted to right conduct towards unbelievers. Be careful in all converse with them, to do them good, and recommend religion by all fit means. Diligence in redeeming time, commends religion to the good opinion of others. Even what is only carelessness may cause a lasting prejudice against the truth. Let all discourse... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Colossians 4:1-99

Colossians 4 IN THE THIRD case, that of the masters, the prominent thought is not that of love but of righteousness. Every Christian master should be continually asking himself in regard to his servants, “What is just? What is fair?” And further he is to remember that he himself is a servant with his Master in the heavens a Master who has laid it down that, “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Here, then, are six items of instruction which if obeyed would go far... read more