Episode 76: Salty language

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his followers to see themselves as the salt of the earth. Similarly, in Colossians 4:6, Paul urges the Colossians to let their conversations be “seasoned with salt.” This may be a practical extension of what he’s taught about “redeeming the time” and how the Colossians to relate to those outside the church. Do our conversations embody the character of the gospel?

What is Chunks: Paul's Letter to the Colossians?

The church in the city of Colossae had recently been founded by one of the apostle Paul's colleagues; he had never met them personally. But he had heard of their faith and of some of the challenges that threatened to undermine that faith, including what seems to be the presence of false teachers who were leading them astray. Paul therefore writes to them from prison, lovingly encouraging them to realize the treasure they already have in the gospel. In so doing, he paints a magnificent and cosmic portrait of the Christ in whom they've already believed, and in whom they've been given a new and transformed nature. His words should help remind believers of every time and place that the Christ we worship is supreme. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages will be read from the New International Version.)