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Colossians

About this book
Chapter 4

1 Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven. 2 Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may make it known as I should. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,⁠ so that you may know how you should answer everyone. 7 Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I sent him to you for this very purpose that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him). 11 And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16 And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well. 17 And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Texts in conversation

Compare Colossians 4:6 and Gospel of Philip 5:10

New Testament · Nag Hammadi

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Summary

The Gospel of Philip connects Colossians' speech seasoned with salt to offerings that need wisdom to be acceptable. By calling wisdom salt, Philip uses the everyday seasoning image to explain how people should speak to God.

Passages

Colossians 4:6

New Testament
1 Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven. 2 Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may make it known as I should. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.
80–85 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Colossians

Gospel of Philip 5:10

Nag Hammadi
Consequently, a disciple one day asked the Lord for some thing of the world. He said to him: “Ask your Mother and she will give to you from the others.” The apostles said to the disciples: “May our entire sacrifice have salt.” They called [Wisdom] “salt.” Without her, the sacrifice is not [rendered] acceptable. Wisdom, however, [is] barren, [without] child. Consequently, [she] is called [...] of salt, where they will [...] in their manner. The holy Spirit [...] [...], and many are her children. What the Father possesses belongs to the Son. Even the Son himself, while he is young, he is not entrusted with what belongs to him. Then, when he becomes Man, his Father gives him everything that is his.
180–250 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in the Gospel of Philip

References

“... The Gospel of Philip also contains references to Colossians 4:6 which makes a distinction between speech ‘seasoned with salt’ (ἅλατι ἠρτυμένος) and more colloquial and mundane speech: ‘The apostles said to the disciples, “May our entire offering obtain salt”. They called [Sophia] “salt”. Without it, no offering [is] acceptable. But Sophia is barren, [without] child. For this reason, she is called “a trace of salt”.’ Here, wisdom is likened to the ingredient elevating mundane speech. Thus, when one addressed God, it was not enough to use everyday speech, it had to be an enlightened, illu- minated and full of wisdom (salt) to be effective. ...”
Paul Linjamaa, The Nag Hammadi Codices and Their Ancient Readers: Exploring Textual Materiality and Reading Practice (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2024), 156–157.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Colossians 4:6 and Gospel of Philip 5:10

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