[Let your conversation be]…seasoned with salt …
Summary: “Seasoned with salt” is a phrase that sounds interesting but lacks a connection with our modern world. Taking a look at the history of salt in biblical times might help us understand better what Paul meant.
Let’s begin this meditation with a question asked by Job many thousands of years ago:
“Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?” (Job 6:6, KJV) He goes on to say, “I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill.”
I don’t blame him! Some foods need salt. But Paul is talking about conversation, not food. Is he suggesting that our conversation should be “flavorful?”
Maybe.
Today, salt is cheap and easy to come by. In ancient times, before mass production methods and cheap transportation, salt was rare and costly.
Salt was so valuable that it may have been used as money. A Roman soldier who earned his pay was considered “worth his salt.” Even today, the Latin word for salt, “salarium,” is the root word for “salary.”
Let’s look at some more aspects of salt.
Not only was it hard to come by, but it was (and is) very important. In addition to adding flavor to food, salt was used for medicinal reasons and food preservation.
As a cleansing agent, it was used for newborn babies (Ezekiel 16:4) and fighting infection (think — gargling with salt water!). As a preservative in a world without refrigeration, it made it possible to keep fish and meat edible.
Salt is essential for life. Without salt, our body begins to shut down. A complete absence of salt causes death.
Because of its value, its healing properties, and its ability to preserve, salt was a symbol of binding covenants. We see this in the Bible when salt is used in temple sacrifices. The instructions given to the Levitical priesthood included this:
“Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.” (Leviticus 2:13)
So, what does all this have to do with conversation?
Salt has value. Perhaps our words should have value, too (Matthew 6:7)
Salt is cleansing. Could this be a reference to our choice of words?
Salt, in ancient times, was rare. Maybe this is Paul’s way of saying we shouldn’t talk too much (Proverbs 10:19).
As Job points out, salt adds flavor. Is it possible people were boring to listen to back then?
Finally, as a symbol of covenants, salt is binding. Perhaps our conversation should build up relationships rather than tear them down.
Application: Consider seasoning your conversation with metaphorical “salt.”
Food for Thought: What is an example of seasoning our conversation with salt?
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Continue reading “Colossians 4:6b – Salty Talk”