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I. THE PRECEPT deals with the properties of speech.

1. Graciousness.

(1) In respect to the cause good words are gracious.

(a) Because they flow from the free grace of God without our merit, for we do not deserve to be trusted with a single good word. Reason yields us conceits, and nature an instrument to speak by, but it is the God of nature by His free grace that gives us good words.

(b) Our words ought to proceed from some grace of God in the heart, as from knowledge, faith, joy, love, sorrow, fear, etc., and in this sense, when on the tongue, they carry the name of the fountain whence they flow.

(2) In respect of the subject: the matter we talk of must be good, words of instruction, comfort, faith, hope, etc., and all seasoned by the daily memory and mention of God's grace to us in Christ (Psalm 40:11.)(3) In respect of the effect: such as tend to build up and minister grace to the: hearers (Ephesians 4:29).

(a)  Fair words.

(b)  Inoffensive words and not railing, bitter, slanderous, blasphemous, or filthy: no, nor even such jesting words as irritate, disgrace, and bite.

(c)  Seasonable words (Proverbs 15:23).

(d)  Wholesome words (Ephesians 4:29).

2. Powdered with salt. The reference is to the salt of sacrifice, and the salt of preservation.

(1) It is implied that there are corrupt words which want seasoning.

(a)  The talk of the covetous is of mammon.

(b)  Epicures talk of sports and pleasures.

(c)  The superstitious of the signs of heaven, etc.

(d)  The wrathful of vengeance.

(e)  The ambitious of their prospects.

(2) Christians must season this corruption.

(a)  There is the salt of doctrine, whereby those who have it become the salt of the earth.

(b)  The salt of mortification, which every Christian must have in himself.

(c)  The salt of discretion (James 3:2).

II. THE END OF THE PRECEPT — "That ye may know how to answer." Observe, in general, that by speaking well we learn to speak well; and that the soundest knowledge is experimental. He knows not how to answer that practice himself, no matter how many arguments he may have in his head. To answer does not always mean to reply, but sometimes to continue to speak (Matthew 11:25).

1. As to answering unbelievers. Notice —

(1) True grace is sure to be opposed; let therefore every Christian expect it, and be prepared for it.

(2) Every Christian ought to answer for the truth wherever and by whomsoever, opposed.

(3) It is not easy to answer well, therefore note the requisities —

(a)  Deliberation and understanding of the matter.

(b)  Prayer (Proverbs 16:1; Habakkuk 2:1).

(c)  Faith in God's favour and promise (Matthew 10:19; Psalm 119:41-42).

(d)  Discretion concerning time, place, occasion, persons (Proverbs 25:11; Proverbs 26:4, 6).

(e)  Patience.

(f)  Humility.

(g)  A good conscience (1 Peter 15, 16).

2. As to answering believers, observe that —

(1) Christians should propound their doubts one to another.

(2) Strong Christians should help the weak with instruction and arguments (Romans 2:19).

(3) However hard all answers should be gracious, seasonable, and profit able.

(4) Custom in gracious speech breeds, by God's blessing, an ability to give sound judgment, advice, and resolution of doubts. It is not wit, learning, or authority, that breeds this.

(N. Byfield.)

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

WEB: Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.