Colossians 4:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:2-6

SECTION IX . PRAYER AND SOCIAL CONVERSE . There are added some brief exhortations of a more general tenor, the contents of which are summed up in the heading given to this section. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:2-6

Sect. 9.Prayer and social converse. I. PRAYER . ( Colossians 4:2-4 .) 1 . Prayer must be habitual and persistent. "Continue steadfast in prayer—keeping awake therein" ( Colossians 4:2 ); "Ask ... seek … knock" ( Matthew 7:7 ). It is not an occasional exercise of the soul, called forth by special emergencies, but the necessity of its daily life. For that life is a fellowship with God in Christ ( Colossians 3:1-3 ; 1 John 1:3 ; John 14:23 ), maintained on his part by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:2-6

The life of prayer and sympathy. Having shown how Christianity elevates the household, Paul next encourages the Colossians to prayerful and sympathetic lives. They shall find themselves in contact with others in the walks of public service, and they are to go forth to meet others prayerfully, sympathetically, graciously. Public life can only be properly, utilized when based upon constant prayerfulness. I. CONSIDER WHAT CONSTANT PRAYER IS . (Verse 2.) It is lingering at the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:2-6

Prayer and prudence. I. PRAYER . 1 . General. 2 . Particular. "Withal praying for us also." They were not only to pray for themselves, for others, about other affairs, but specially for Paul and his coadjutors, and as he here directs. II. DUTY TO THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT . How is a Christian society to advance its ends with them that are outside? That is a question which has not lost its importance. 1 . Walk. "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:5-6

The Christian and the world. We have here some suggestions as to— 1 . THE CHRISTIAN 'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE WORLD . It is implied: 1 . That he is to be distinct from the world. To him all "men of the world" are, in character, aims, pursuits, to be as "them that are without." There is to be a contrast between him and them as between those who are "within" and those who are "without" the assembly of the righteous, the Church of the loving and the pure. But it is taught: ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:5-6

The Christians conduct and conversation in the world. In these closing exhortations we are taught— I. THE PRINCIPLES WHICH SHOULD GUIDE US IN OUR INTERCOURSE WITH THE WORLD . ( Colossians 4:5 .) In no Pharisaic spirit we have to speak of "them that are without" ( needlessly, guiltily outside the family of God), but are in close contact with us "within;" who are not called to judge them or to "have no company" with them, but to live in such a way as to bless... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:6

(Let) your speech (literally, word ) (be) always with grace, seasoned with salt ( Ephesians 4:29 , Ephesians 4:31 ; Ephesians 5:3 , Ephesians 5:4 ; Titus 2:8 ; Matthew 12:34-37 ; Luke 4:22 ; Psalms 45:2 ). "Word" ( λόγος ) has its common acceptation, as in Colossians 3:17 ; Colossians 2:23 ; Titus 2:8 ; 2 Timothy 2:17 ; James 3:2 . "With grace" ( ἐν χάριτι ) gives the pervading element of Christian speech; as "in wisdom," of Christian behaviour ( James... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:6

The importance of seasonable speech. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how to answer each one." The conversation of believers is to have reference to "those without" as well as their personal behaviour. I. THE NATURE OF SEASONABLE SPEECH . 1 . It is to be " always with grace. " 2 . It is to consist of gracious words. (a) seasonable ( Proverbs 15:23 ), (b) wholesome ( Ephesians 4:29 ), (c) kindly ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:6

Salt. Our speech is to be "seasoned with salt." The context shows that this advice is given especially in regard to the conversation of Christian people with men of the world. It is part of the "wisdom towards them that are without." Instead of offensive fault finding, haughty self assertion, or morose indifference, our speech is to be courteous—"with grace;" and pleasant—"seasoned" Salt stands for wit in Greek references to it as seasoning speech. But with St. Paul it seems rather to mean... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Colossians 4:6

Let your speech - Your conversation. In the previous verse the apostle had given a general direction that our conduct toward those who are not professing Christians should be wise and prudent; he here gives a particular direction in regard to our conversation.Be alway with grace - Imbued with the spirit of religion. It should be such as religion is fitted to produce; such as to show that the grace of God is in our hearts. Bloomfield supposes that this means “courteous and agreeable, not morose... read more

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