“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person — 'Gracious speech' (logos charis, graceful word) contrasts with harsh or crude talk. 'Seasoned with salt' (halas) preserves and flavors: wise words are both preserving (preventing spiritual decay) and palatable. 'Answer each person' (apokrisis) appropriately suggests tailor-fit responses, not canned answers. Speech is ministry.
Church Fathers on Colossians 4:5
What Christ said to His disciples, that does Paul also now advise. And what did Christ say? “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16 That is, be upon your guard, giving them no handle against you. For therefore it is added, “towards them that are without,” in order that we may know that against our own members we have no need of so much caution as against those without. For where…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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