“Actions speak louder than words.”  “Talk is cheap.”  “A little less talkin’ and a lot more action.”  For some it is easy to say the right thing in a moment of emotional fervor, yet follow-through so often lags or lacks. You burn far fewer calories making promises or saying what someone wants to hear than actually carrying out the content of the words. We have all been burned enough times by “cheap talk” and no follow-through that we are often ready to discount verbal communications altogether.  “Talk is cheap.”

The problem is not that people are talking, though.  The problem is that they are not doing what they say.  This is not how Christians have been instructed to conduct themselves, and outsiders rightly revolt at what they see as hypocrisy. If we observe the Bible on this very issue, we will find the right way to prioritize speech and action so that we present a congruent message when we express God’s love in the Gospel.

The Command

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. ” (Colossians 4:6, NAS)

This command is translated in the imperative because the statement carries the force of the preceding command, “walk” in verse 5.  This is the third instruction from Paul to the Colossians about partaking with him in the Gospel ministry.  The first, Col 4:2-4, was to pray persistently with thanksgiving and for his ministry.  The second command was to “walk in wisdom toward those outside.”  Now we have speech.

There is actually no verb in v6, which is interesting since Paul is commanding speech. This literary device, called ellipsis, is  a way of being terse and emphatic.  Literally the Greek reads, “Your word: always in grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should answer each one.”  Paul often issues commands like this, where you can get his meaning clearly without him supplying the verb. Romans 12:9-13 is a list of commands to that have no main verbs. To convey the thought in English most translators supply the verb to be for clarity.  There is no question that Paul is commanding speech here.

But what is his instruction about our logos?  First, he assumes that we will speak to outsiders and therefore does not issue a command to speak. It is more like “when you speak.”  There is a latent expectation that you will have verbal interaction with “each one.” That means everyone with whom you have occasion to speak, not necessarily everyone you encounter!  We are not in the business of forcing doors open; verse 3 says God opens the doors. The specific thing being commanded is quality of speech.  Our speech is to be with grace.

Grace

Here is one of the greatest and, sadly, misunderstood terms in the Bible, especially Pauline literature.   Grace is a very simple concept.  The best one-word gloss for it is gift.  The reason why gift is the key idea in the word CHARIS (χαρις) or grace is it is impossible to earn or deserve a gift.  Rom 4:4 (NKJV) and 11:6 make this issue very explicit. You can earn a wage. You can make a purchase with that wage.  But to receive a true gift, you cannot pay for it.  Many are confused about this in their interactions with others.  We all have received “gifts with strings.”  Rather than being a gift, someone gives you something to pay you in advance for future behavior.  This is manipulation, not grace.  Ever see someone try manipulation in the Gospel ministry?  Not Paul.

In this command, gracious speech has a purpose.  When God opens the door to speak (v3), you need to enter it appropriately, with the right kind of word.  This is essential to knowing how to proceed in the conversation.  Always lead with grace.  This means giving the other person kindness, compassion, and respect, for example.  But let’s not restrict our applications more specifically than the passage requires.  Whatever you say, your speech is to be that of a giver.  The used car salesman approach is not a giver but a seller.  The world really has no analogy to the attitude with which we proceed in sharing the message of eternal life.  This is the striking difference between the Gospel and the spirit of the world.  There is no free lunch; but the Bread of Life is offered free-of-charge to any who will eat.

This instruction for entering the work of Paul, extended through the Colossians to every believer, gives you everything you need in the right sequence to be effective as a witness for Jesus Christ.

Three Thoughts

1.  The Gospel is a message, not a lifestyle.

2.  The Gospel message requires a consistent lifestyle for those who would communicate it.

3.  When it is time to speak, lead with Grace.  A message about God’s grace which is not delivered in grace is just as incongruent as a message about eternal life from someone who is not enjoying it.

Passage to Pray

Col 4:3

Memory Verse

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. ” (Colossians 4:2–6, NAS)