2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Comment: Although the attached picture shows a building being constructed, the real church is built in blocks of flesh, people, not of stone! Thus to build the church means changing life patterns and character! Having dealt earlier with Christian Society and Christian Families, Paul now gives a serious of commands! They are all commands which necessitate action! They fit into several groups. 1. Commands to pray – We are commanded to be rock solid in our attitude towards and practice of praying. We are told to be careful (watchful) and to be thankful people. I think that we these days fail to be thankful enough for the common grace things, like beauty, air, food, work! We should be thankful that in Christ we have a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father. We are told to pray for our leaders and teachers! 2. ‘To declare the mystery of Christ‘. Although this command is related to Paul’s own Ministry, nevertheless we are called by Jesus to be His witnesses, and the rest of the commands are directed to our activity in the world! 3. How to live. The word ‘walk’ isn’t referring to the way we hobble along but to the way that we walk through life! And Paul stresses a) Walking wisely, and I’m sure that he would emphasize not trusting only in our own limited wisdom but to seek wisdom from God, whom, as James tells us, ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.’ b) Being industrious and energetic! Being sluggardly and lazy is shunned by the Bible! Proverbs 26:13-15 reads ‘The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.’ c) Learn how to witness! i) speak graciously – which doesn’t mean be namby-pamby but treating others with curtesy and respect. Jesus spoke graciously but argued hard and spoke honestly. ii) Don’t be boring rather pithy and salty! iii) be knowledgable about your faith – which means know your Bible and apply it!
Proverbs 30: 24-28 – Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for these lessons!
As I read it! 