| Geneva Study Bible {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 Eph 4:29. People's New Testament 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace. Use courteous speech, calculated to attract rather than to repel. Seasoned with salt. Food without seasoning is insipid. Let the speech be so seasoned by grace that it will not be rejected with aversion. That ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. So that your answer to every man may be such as the case requires. The idea is to always say what is pertinent and best for the occasion. Wesley's Notes 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace - Seasoned with the grace of God, as flesh is with salt. Scofield Reference Notes Margin grace Grace (imparted). 2Th 1:12 Rom 6:1 2Pet 3:18. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 6. with grace-Greek, "IN grace" as its element (Col 3:16; Eph 4:29). Contrast the case of those "of the world" who "therefore speak of the world" (1Jo 4:5). Even the smallest leaf of the believer should be full of the sap of the Holy Spirit (Jer 17:7, 8). His conversation should be cheerful without levity, serious without gloom. Compare Lu 4:22; Joh 7:46, as to Jesus' speech. seasoned with salt-that is, the savor of fresh and lively spiritual wisdom and earnestness, excluding all "corrupt communication," and also tasteless insipidity (Mt 5:13; Mr 9:50; Eph 4:29). Compare all the sacrifices seasoned with salt (Le 2:13). Not far from Colosse, in Phrygia, there was a salt lake, which gives to the image here the more appropriateness. how ye ought to answer every man-(1Pe 3:15). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 4:2-6 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 be discreet and seasonable, as becomes Christians. Though it be not always of grace, it must always be with grace. Though our discourse be of that which is common, yet it must be in a Christian manner. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, and keeps it from corrupting. It is not enough to answer what is asked, unless we answer aright also. | 
