Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in {l} psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

(l) By psalms he means all godly songs which were written upon various occasions, and by hymns, all such as contain the praise of God, and by spiritual songs, other more special and artful songs which were also in praise of God, but they were made fuller of music.

People's New Testament

3:16 Let the word of Christ. The word that has been preached to you.

Dwell in you. As in a temple.

Richly in all wisdom. If we treasure it up richly we will have the divine wisdom in our hearts.

Teaching and admonishing. Those having the indwelling word would have ability to teach.

In psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Teaching and admonishing were to be present even in song. Song was to have another object than to please the ear. It was not for enjoyment, but for edification. The species of song are named here and in Eph 5:19. For the distinction, see PNT Eph 5:19.

Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. With Christ's grace in your hearts; that is, with hearts pervaded by the love of Christ.

Wesley's Notes

3:16 Let the word of Christ - So the apostle calls the whole scripture, and thereby asserts the divinity of his Master. Dwell - Not make a short stay, or an occasional visit, but take up its stated residence. Richly - In the largest measure, and with the greatest efficacy; so as to fill and govern the whole soul.

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin grace

Grace (imparted). vs. Col 4:6 Rom 6:1 2Pet 3:18.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16. The form which "thankfulness" (Col 3:15) ought to take.

Let the word of Christ-the Gospel word by which ye have been called.

richly-(Col 2:2; Ro 15:14).

in all wisdom-Alford joins this clause with "teaching," &c., not with "dwell in you," as English Version, for so we find in Col 1:28, "teaching in all wisdom," and the two clauses will thus correspond, "In all wisdom teaching," and "in grace singing in your hears" (so the Greek order).

and . and-The oldest manuscripts read "psalms, hymns, spiritual songs" (see on [2429]Eph 5:19). At the Agapæ or love-feasts, and in their family circles, they were to be so full of the Word of Christ in the heart that the mouth should give it utterance in hymns of instruction, admonition, and praise (compare De 6:7). Tertullian [Apology, 39], records that at the love-feasts, after the water had been furnished for the hands and the lights had been literally, according as any had the power, whether by his remembrance of Scripture, or by his powers of composition, he used to be invited to sing praises to God for the common good. Paul contrasts (as in Eph 5:18, 19) the songs of Christians at their social meetings, with the bacchanalian and licentious songs of heathen feasts. Singing usually formed part of the entertainment at Greek banquets (compare Jas 5:13).

with grace-Greek, "IN grace," the element in which your singing is to be: "the grace" of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This clause expresses the seat and source of true psalmody, whether in private or public, namely, the heart as well as the voice; singing (compare Col 3:15, "peace . rule in your hearts"), the psalm of love and praise being in the heart before it finds vent by the lips, and even when it is not actually expressed by the voice, as in closet-worship. The Greek order forbids English Version, "with grace in your hearts"; rather, "singing in your hearts."

to the Lord-The oldest manuscripts read, "to God."

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:12-17 We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are his. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men. The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them. The soul prospers, when we are full of the Scriptures and of the grace of Christ. But when we sing psalms, we must be affected with what we sing. Whatever we are employed about, let us do every thing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in believing dependence on him. Those who do all in Christ's name, will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father.