Colossians 4:5

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.

Them that are without ... The reference here is "to non-Christians, those without the church."[6]

Redeeming the time ... is somewhat of an idiomatic expression, meaning "buying up the opportunities," "taking advantage of all occasions for doing good," etc. Here again, in this passage, is encountered the startling likeness and subtle differences in this passage and the parallel in Ephesians 5:15. As Barry said:

There the "strictness" and "wisdom" are to guard against excess or recklessness within; here the "wisdom" is to watch against external dangers and make full use of external opportunities.[7]

Speech ... with grace ... Some think this means divine grace, but Peake is confident that the Greek text denies this, affirming that the meaning is "speech that is pleasant, marked by sweetness and courtesy, that their conversation may impress favorably the heathen."[8]

Seasoned with salt ... Despite the fact of most commentators denying it, there is perhaps included here some reference to the judicious use of humor, or wit, in the Christian's speech. Among the Greek classical writers, "Salt expressed the wit with which conversation was flavored";[9] and this student has encountered no compelling reason why the same meaning should not be understood here.

How ye ought to answer ... The admonition here is most similar to that given by the apostle Peter who commanded:

Sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).

[6] A. S. Peake, op. cit., p. 544.

[7] Alfred Barry, op. cit., p. 116.

[8] A. S. Peake, op. cit., p. 544.

[9] Ibid., p. 545.