(1) Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. (2) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (5) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (6) Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
I do not think it needful to dwell upon what is here said; the subjects contained in these verses, and the manner in which the Apostle hath recommended the things contained in them, being so very plain, and self-evident. Just only would I observe, with what earnestness Paul, though so great an Apostle, desired to be remembered in their prayers. It hath been an anxious desire of the Church in all ages, in the several members of Christ's mystical body, to be mentioned by one another at the Court, when seeing the King in his beauty. And God's faithful ministers have been very earnest, in this particular, with their people. Some that I have read of, have gone so far as to say, that they have known, when their people have been fervent in prayer for them in their labors of love, by the blessings which have followed in their ministry. Surely such a thought, if duly considered, would, in the Lord's hand, make a Church, sound in the faith, be very desirous to go often to court, and ask the Lord to bless his servants!
How sweet, and edifying, would be the conversation of the Lord's people, if always framed upon the Apostle's plan. The name of Jesus, and the sweet savor of his love, if continually made the subject of discourse, would have similar effect, to give a relish to the conversation of God's people, as salt hath, to make our ordinary food savory. Christ is indeed the salt of the Covenant. Leviticus 2:13; Mark 9:50. But alas! how little is it made the general matter of discourse! See Malachi 3:16-18.