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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Colossians 3:16 - 3:16
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The word of Christ (ho logos tou Christou). This precise phrase only here, though “the word of the Lord” in 1Th 1:8; 1Th 4:15; 2Th 3:1. Elsewhere “the word of God.” Paul is exalting Christ in this Epistle. Christou can be either the subjective genitive (the word delivered by Christ) or the objective genitive (the word about Christ). See note on 1Jo 2:14.
Dwell (enoikeitō). Present active imperative of enoikeō, to make one’s home, to be at home.
In you (en humin). Not “among you.”
Richly (plousiōs). Old adverb from plousios (rich). See note on 1Ti 6:17. The following words explain plousiōs.
In all wisdom (en pasēi sophiāi). It is not clear whether this phrase goes with plousiōs (richly) or with the participles following (didaskontes kai nouthetountes, see note on Col 1:28). Either punctuation makes good sense. The older Greek MSS. had no punctuation. There is an anacoluthon here. The participles may be used as imperatives as in Rom 12:11., Rom 12:16.
With psalms (psalmois, the Psalms in the Old Testament originally with musical accompaniment), hymns (humnois, praises to God composed by the Christians like 1Ti 3:16), spiritual songs (ōidais pneumatikais, general description of all whether with or without instrumental accompaniment). The same song can have all three words applied to it.
Singing with grace (en chariti āidontes). In God’s grace (2Co 1:12). The phrase can be taken with the preceding words. The verb āidō is an old one (Eph 5:19) for lyrical emotion in a devout soul.
In your hearts (en tais kardiais humōn). Without this there is no real worship “to God” (tōi theōi). How can a Jew or Unitarian in the choir lead in the worship of Christ as Saviour? Whether with instrument or with voice or with both it is all for naught if the adoration is not in the heart.