Paul advises the Colossian believers “in the way you act toward outsiders.” The reference to “outsiders” is similar to Paul’s rabbinical training that called those associated with a different religious group as “those outside.” The word translated “opportunities” is focused on the space of time a believer has in the presence of an “outsider” and the many, many possibilities that could develop.

Clearly, Paul does not want the Colossian believers isolated from the unbelievers in their community. Instead Paul is expecting them to have interaction that is engaging and frequent. He does ask them to be wise and then uses the Greek word exagorazomenoi,  “make the most of every opportunity,” which is a word taken directly from the market place that meant “to buy out,” or “to purchase completely.” Paul obviously sees every moment spent in front of an unbeliever in the same way a marketing agent would view advertising time in front of potential customer. Paul is telling them to buy up all the air time and do not squander your chance to present your product.

The key way Paul sees this happening is in a believer’s conversation with an unbeliever.  Paul gives them three points or tips for quality Christian conversation with unbelievers:

1. “Full of Grace” – most likely refers not to the presentation of the Grace of God through the Gospel, but the mannerism in which this Truth is presented – graciously. This is similar to Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:15, “do this with gentleness and respect.” So, “full of grace” is a reference to the Colossians approach to the outsiders, not specifically here to God’s approach with salvation. The believers are modeling God’s grace by being gracious.
2. “Seasoned with salt” – this was a common metaphor in the Greek world to refer to “salty speech,” in contrast to boring monologues. Timon of Phlius, a Greek skeptic and satirist from 250 BC had written critically concerning conversation and writing, “Neither the saltless prolixity of the academics, nor yet the painful pointlessness of Aristotle!” (Diogenes Laertius 4.67). Paul wants the Colossian believers to rise above the level of some of the philosophers who were criticized as being "saltless" ("boring"). The Colossian Christians are to engage the “outsiders” with lively conversation that is interesting and interactive.
3. “Know how to answer everyone” – the focus here is in two directions. First, the speaking believer needs to know what they are talking about. They must have insight and understanding concerning the product they are trying to promote, thus basic Bible and basic doctrine. And, second, this conversation cannot be inflexible rote talking points, but the believer must be able to listen to the unbeliever and adapt the “conversation” to the current conversation. In this way, the Colossian believer is to “answer everyone,” not preach at everyone, and not recite premeditated talking points.

Be gracious to unbelievers.
Be interesting and engaging in conversation with unbelievers.
Be listening and responding to the concerns, topics of interest and questions of the unbelievers.

"Truly it is evil to be full of faults, but it is a still greater evil to be full of them, and to be unwilling to recognize them."
-Blaise Pascal