(Chapter 4:2-6)
Chap. 4:2-6—In the previous section the exhortations were to specific groups of individuals, but now they broaden out to believers in general. The exhortations here have to do with the saints’ support of the spread of the truth through prayer and godly conduct. They are encouraged to pray for things in general, and particularly for the Lord’s servants in their work of communicating the truth, and also that the saints would maintain a proper testimony toward the lost.
Paul says, “Continue [persevere] in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (vs. 2). Oftentimes we pray for something but give up. This is not good. The Lord taught that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:11And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1)). It has been said that we need to pray as much as we need to breathe! The soul flourishes in the atmosphere of prayer, but languishes without it. Persevering in prayer does not mean that we are to badger God regarding something we want, and to persist in asking for it until He gives it to us. This manifests an unbroken spirit that insists on having its own way. If that is our attitude, to teach us a lesson, God just might grant us our request but send leanness into our souls with it (Psa. 106:1515And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. (Psalm 106:15)). James tells us that over all our prayers we must add, “If the Lord will” (James 4:1515For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. (James 4:15); Matt. 26:3939And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39)). This manifests a spirit of submission to the divine will and an acknowledgment that we ultimately want His will in the matter. To “watch in the same” is to watch for the Lord’s answer to our prayer requests. This manifests faith. To do it “with thanksgiving” manifests confidence in the Lord. It is to say, “Whatever the Lord gives as an answer (be it ‘yes’ or ‘no’), I know that it will be the best for me, so I’ll rejoice and give thanks even before He makes His mind known.”
As mentioned, more specifically, Paul desired the prayers of the saints for the work of spreading the truth. He says, “That God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the Mystery of Christ” (vs. 3).
Vss. 5-6—As to their conduct, he said, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time [opportunities]. Let your word be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” If we walk wisely in our daily lives, we will have “opportunities” to share the gospel with the lost (“them that are without”). Walking “toward” them implies a genuine seeking of their welfare. This opens doors when people see that we are genuinely interested in them. “Redeeming the time” refers to setting free (the meaning of redeem) time in our busy schedules to be used in service for the Lord. Paul speaks of it in Ephesians as well, but in connection with a different sphere (Eph. 5:15-2115See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:15‑21)). Putting the two references together, we see that there are really only two spheres of service wherein we are to use our time:
• Redeeming time to be a help to those outside the Christian community (“them that are without” – Col. 4:55Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Colossians 4:5)).
These verses, in Colossians 4, have to do with reaching out to the lost in the gospel. It is significant that “praying” is mentioned before reaching out to “them that are without.” This shows that all outreach work is to be done in felt dependence on the Lord.
“Let your word be always with grace, seasoned with salt” has to do with how we approach others. We should always conduct ourselves in a gracious, courteous, and kindly manner in all our interactions with the men of the world. This will work to win them for Christ. But our speech should also be “seasoned with salt.” This speaks of faithfulness. Thus, we are to remember to have a word for the conscience of the unbeliever, so that they might realize that they have to do with God, and that they need to be prepared to meet Him. Unbelievers’ consciences need to be touched, but we will cut off their ear if we “rag” on them all the time. Paul said that our speech is to be seasoned here and there with a faithful word to their consciences. We can be over-zealous in trying to save unbelievers and get known for pressing on men’s consciences too much. This turns people off and drives them away. Zealots like this seem to think that this verse reads: “Let your speech be always salt, seasoned with grace!” However, it is quite the other way around. Scripture indicates that it is possible to have “a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom. 10:22For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (Romans 10:2)). Zeal is good, but it needs to be guided by knowledge and wisdom. Paul said to the Galatians, “It is right to be zealous at all times in what is right” (Gal. 4:1818But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. (Galatians 4:18)). He adds here: “That ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” This implies that if we walk in wisdom toward them that are without, we will stir their interest and they will “ask” of us of “a reason of the hope” that is in us (1 Peter 3:1515But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15)). When they have this spirit, we can point them to Christ.
Summary of the Practical Part of the Epistle That Results in the Display of Christ in the Saints
The foregoing brings the main part of the epistle to a close. If it is followed by the saints with moral exercise, the character of Christ will be seen in the us. There are three links in the development of this truth:
• WHAT is to be manifested—the character of Christ (chap. 3:12-15).
• HOW it is to be manifested—by being filled with Christ and His interests in all that we say and do (chap. 3:16-17).
• WHERE it is to be manifested—in every sphere of the believer’s life (chaps. 3:18–4:6).