Matthew Poole and continuators on Colossians 4:6

6 Let your speech be alway with grace , seasoned with salt , that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man .

Because discourse is the tenderest part of our converse with men, especially those without, and ought to be manag'd with the greatest circumspection; upon occasions in every fit season, in imitation of Christ who entertained those that did converse with him with gracious words, Luk. 4.22. you should endeavour so to speak when called, that the hearers may conceive your discourse doth proceed from a gracious spirit, or grace in the heart, c. 4.6. teaching your mouth, Prov. 15.23, 24. with meekness of wisedom, Iam. 3.13. using knowledge aright, Prov, 15.2. being in its tendency gracious, Eccles. 10.12. not ungratefull (as tinctur'd with gall or venome) but ministring grace to the hearers, Eph. 4.29.

Even as meat duly powdred with salt, (Mat. 5.13.) becomes acceptable to the discerning palate, so to the ear that trieth speech, fitly spoken words, (Prov. 25.11.) are of a gratefull savour cleansed from corruption, Iob. 33.3. Mark 9.50.

To this purpose chiefly in the main points of Christianity, that in a Gospel becoming manner, you may be able to give a reason of the hope that is in you (to those that ask you with meekness and fear, Mat. 7.6. 1 Pet. 3.15. courteousness and sincerity, Ephes. 4.25. free fro[illegible: 1 letter] those evils of speech he had before enjoyned them in this Epistle to put away, c. 3.8.

Marginal references: Chap. 3.16.