How can you let your speech be always with grace (Colossians 4:6)?

In his final words in his epistle to the Colossians, the apostle Paul urges, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside. . . . Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5–6, NKJV). To be effective ministers of the gospel, Christians must not only “walk in wisdom” (that is, live wisely) before those who are not of the faith, but we must also make sure our words are attractive, flavorful, and reflect the character of Christ to unbelievers.

The words we speak have tremendous power to influence others. Therefore, our speech must always “be gracious and attractive” (Colossians 4:6, NLT) or “full of grace” (NIV). The word translated as “grace” here is chariti in the original Greek. It refers to the outworking of God’s goodwill. If we as Christians hope to win others to Jesus, our speech must be motivated and controlled by God’s grace so that it glorifies the Lord, reflects His goodness, and leads others to Him.

We need God’s grace deep in our hearts if we want our speech always to be gracious (Colossians 3:16). Jesus said, “What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45, NLT). The words of Christ were constantly filled with the grace that flowed from His divine nature (see Luke 4:22; John 1:14; cf. Psalm 45:2). Even when He dealt with sin, Jesus spoke and acted with grace (Matthew 20:29–34; Mark 10:46–52; John 8:1–11). First, we must have God’s grace dwelling within us through a relationship with Jesus (John 1:16–17; Romans 5:1–2; 2 Timothy 2:1). Then, as we grow more like Him, we learn to “be kind and compassionate to one another” (Ephesians 4:32) and “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

Letting our speech always be filled with grace means approaching every conversation with kindness and compassion. Paul instructed, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29, NLT).

Our words have the potential to encourage, heal, and inspire, but they can also wound and divide (see Proverbs 10:11; 15:4; 16:24; 18:21; James 3:5–6). Scripture teaches us to think carefully before speaking and consider how our words might affect the listener (Proverbs 15:28; 29:20; Ecclesiastes 5:2; James 1:19). We should practice empathy by trying to understand the other person’s perspective before responding. We should strive to uplift others with our words, especially during difficult times (1 Thessalonians 5:11). By making kindness the foundation of our communication, we ensure that our words are a consistent source of encouragement rather than harm.

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. Letting our speech reflect God’s grace means showing patience, forgiveness, and understanding, even in the most tense and challenging circumstances. Responding to criticism or conflict requires humility and strength born of God’s grace, thereby enabling us to navigate uncomfortable conversations with dignity and respect.

Our words should be intentional, adding depth and meaning to our conversations (see 1 Corinthians 13:1). Paul used the metaphor seasoned with salt to imply that our words should be flavorful and engaging. Just as salt enhances the flavor of food, our speech should add value to conversations and attract people to Jesus (see Matthew 5:13–16; Mark 9:50). Doing this requires discernment, so that what we say is not only truthful but also timely and relevant.

To always speak with grace, we must stay rooted in the teachings of Christ. As we spend time in prayer, immerse ourselves in God’s Word, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we gain the wisdom, godly insight, and humility needed to communicate effectively and lovingly (see Acts 6:9–10; Mark 13:11; 1 Peter 5:5). We pause and pray before we speak. We forgive quickly, releasing grudges and bitterness so that those attitudes do not seep into our words. We speak honestly and respectfully to others.

The latter part of Colossians 4:6 emphasizes knowing “how to answer everyone.” A gracious speaker pays attention to his audience, choosing words that resonate and meet the needs of the person he or she is addressing. We should listen actively and attentively to both verbal and non-verbal cues from others, adjusting our tone to match the context and emotion of the conversation. Such authenticity will foster a sense of trust and connection in our interactions.

Maintaining a spirit of grace in our speech is a daily spiritual discipline. It requires intentionality, humility, and staying attuned to God’s love. By cultivating kindness seasoned with wisdom, staying rooted in Scripture, and letting God’s grace flow from our hearts, we can transform our speech—in the Spirit’s power—into a powerful tool for God’s glory. May our words leave a lasting impact, always drawing others to the boundless grace we have received in Jesus.