Colossians 4:6
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- KJV
- Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
- WEB
- Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
- ASV
- Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
- DARBY
- [Let] your word [be] always with grace, seasoned with salt, [so as] to know how ye ought to answer each one.
- BLB
- Let your⁺ word [be] always in grace, having been seasoned with salt, to know how it is necessary for you⁺ to answer each one.
- ÅB
- Deres tale være alltid tekkelig, krydret med salt, så dere vet hvordan dere bør svare enhver.
- OTB
- La deres samtale alltid være full av nåde, krydret med salt, så dere vet hvordan dere skal svare hver enkelt.
- B1930
- Eders tale være alltid tekkelig, krydret med salt, så I vet hvorledes I bør svare enhver.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Read in context1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Read in contextEcclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Read in contextMark 9:50
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Read in contextProverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Read in contextProverbs 15:7
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
Read in contextColossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Read in contextProverbs 22:17–18
Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
Read in context