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Selected Verse: Colossians 3:16 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Col 3:16	Strong Concordance	Let [1774] the word [3056] of Christ [5547] dwell [1774] in [1722] you [5213] richly [4146] in [1722] all [3956] wisdom [4678]; teaching [1321] and [2532] admonishing [3560] one another [1438] in psalms [5568] and [2532] hymns [5215] and [2532] spiritual [4152] songs [5603], singing [103] with [1722] grace [5485] in [1722] your [5216] hearts [2588] to the Lord [2962].
	King James	Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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; Rom 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 Eph 5:19). At the AgapÃ&brvbr; 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 Deu 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 Jam 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."

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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; Rom 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 Eph 5:19). At the AgapÃ&brvbr; 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 Deu 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 Jam 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."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Let the word of Christ - The doctrine of Christ. Dwell in you richly in all wisdom - Abundantly, producing the spirit of true wisdom. That doctrine is adapted to make you wise. The meaning is, that they were to lay up the doctrines of the gospel in their hearts, to meditate upon them; to allow them to be their guide, and to endearor wisely to improve them to the best purpose. Teaching and admonishing ... - See this explained in the notes at Eph 5:19-20. The only additional thought here is, that their psalms and hymns were to be regarded as a method of "teaching" and "admonishing;" that is, they were to be imbued with truth, and to be such as to elevate the mind, and withdraw it from error and sin. Dr. Johnson once said, that if he were allowed to make the ballads of a nation, he cared not who made the laws. It is true in a more important sense that he who is permitted to make the hymns of a church, need care little who preaches, or who makes the creed. He will more effectually mould the sentiments of a church than they who preach or make creeds and confessions. Hence, it is indispensable, in order to the preservation of the truth, that the sacred songs of a church should be imbued with sound evangelical sentiment.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
grace Grace (imparted). (Col 4:6); (Rom 6:1); (Pe2 3:18).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
The word of Christ The only occurrence of the phrase. The word spoken by Christ. Richly See on Rom 2:4, and compare Col 1:27. In all wisdom Some connect with the preceding words, others with the following - in all wisdom, teaching, etc. The latter seems preferable, especially in view of Col 1:28, where the phrase occurs teaching and admonishing in all wisdom; because the adverb richly forms an emphatic qualification of dwell in, and so appropriately terminates the clause; and because the whole passage is thus more symmetrical. "Dwell in has its single adverb richly, and is supported and expanded by two coordinate participial clauses, each of which has its spiritual manner or element of action (in all wisdom, in grace) more exactly defined" (Ellicott). Admonishing See on Col 1:28. The participles teaching and admonishing are used as imperatives, as Rom 12:9-13, Rom 12:16-19; Eph 4:2, Eph 4:3; Heb 13:5; Pe1 3:1, Pe1 3:7, Pe1 3:9, Pe1 3:16. One another (ἑαυτούς) Yourselves. See on Col 3:13. Psalms See the parallel passage, Eph 5:19. A psalm was originally a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. See on Co1 14:15. The idea of accompaniment passed away in usage, and the psalm, in New-Testament phraseology, is an Old-Testament psalm, or a composition having that character. A hymn is a song of praise, and a song (ᾠδή ode) is the general term for a song of any kind. Hymns would probably be distinctively Christian. It is supposed by some that Paul embodies fragments of hymns in his epistles, as Co1 13:1-13; Eph 5:14; Ti1 3:16; Ti2 2:11-14. Jam 1:17, and Rev 1:5, Rev 1:6; Rev 15:3, are also supposed to be of this character. In both instances of his use of ᾠδή song, Paul adds the term spiritual. The term may, as Trench suggests, denote sacred poems which are neither psalms nor hymns, as Herbert's "Temple," or Keble's "Christian Year." This is the more likely, as the use of these different compositions is not restricted to singing nor to public worship. They are to be used in mutual christian teaching and admonition. With grace (ἐν τῇ χάριτι) Lit., the grace. The article limits the meaning to the grace of God. With grace begins the second participial clause.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
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.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly - I believe the apostle means that the Colossians should be well instructed in the doctrine of Christ; that it should be their constant study; that it should be frequently preached, explained, and enforced among them; and that all the wisdom comprised in it should be well understood. Thus the doctrine of God would dwell richly, that is, abundantly, among them. But there appears to be here an allusion to the Shechinah, or symbol of the Divine presence, which dwelt in the tabernacle and first temple; and to an opinion common among the Jews, which is thus expressed in Melchita, fol. 38, 4: כל מקום שהתורה שם שבינה שם עמה; In whatever place the Law is, there the Shechinah is present with it. Nor is this a vain supposition; wherever God's word is seriously read, heard, or preached, there is God himself; and in that Church or religious society where the truth of God is proclaimed and conscientiously believed, there is the constant dwelling of God. Through bad pointing this verse is not very intelligible; the several members of it should be distinguished thus: Let the doctrine of Christ dwell richly among you; teaching and admonishing each other in all wisdom; singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord, in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This arrangement the original will not only bear, but it absolutely requires it, and is not sense without it. See the note on Eph 5:19. The singing which is here recommended is widely different from what is commonly used in most Christian congregations; a congeries of unmeaning sounds, associated to bundles of nonsensical, and often ridiculous, repetitions, which at once both deprave and disgrace the Church of Christ. Melody, which is allowed to be the most proper for devotional music, is now sacrificed to an exuberant harmony, which requires, not only many different kinds of voices, but different musical instruments to support it. And by these preposterous means the simplicity of the Christian worship is destroyed, and all edification totally prevented. And this kind of singing is amply proved to be very injurious to the personal piety of those employed in it; even of those who enter with a considerable share of humility and Christian meekness, how few continue to sing with Grace in their hearts unto the Lord?

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¹⁵ And [2532] let [1018] the peace [1515] of God [2316] rule [1018] in [1722] your [5216] hearts [2588], to [1519] the which [3739] also [2532] ye are called [2564] in [1722] one [1520] body [4983]; and [2532] be ye [1096] thankful [2170].

¹³ Is [2553] any [5100] among [1722] you [5213] afflicted [2553]? let him pray [4336]. Is [2114] any [5100] merry [2114]? let him sing psalms [5567].

¹⁸ And [2532] be [3182] not [3361] drunk [3182] with wine [3631], wherein [1722] [3739] is [2076] excess [810]; but [235] be filled [4137] with [1722] the Spirit [4151];
¹⁹ Speaking [2980] to yourselves [1438] in psalms [5568] and [2532] hymns [5215] and [2532] spiritual [4152] songs [5603], singing [103] and [2532] making melody [5567] in [1722] your [5216] heart [2588] to the Lord [2962];

⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently [08150] unto thy children [01121], and shalt talk [01696] of them when thou sittest [03427] in thine house [01004], and when thou walkest [03212] by the way [01870], and when thou liest down [07901], and when thou risest up [06965].

²⁸ Whom [3739] we [2249] preach [2605], warning [3560] every [3956] man [444], and [2532] teaching [1321] every [3956] man [444] in [1722] all [3956] wisdom [4678]; that [2443] we may present [3936] every [3956] man [444] perfect [5046] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424]:

¹⁴ And [1161] I [1473] myself [846] also [2532] am persuaded [3982] of [4012] you [5216], my [3450] brethren [80], that [3754] ye [846] also [2532] are [2075] full [3324] of goodness [19], filled [4137] with all [3956] knowledge [1108], able [1410] also [2532] to admonish [3560] one another [240].

² That [2443] their [846] hearts [2588] might be comforted [3870], being knit together [4822] in [1722] love [26], and [2532] unto [1519] all [3956] riches [4149] of the full assurance [4136] of understanding [4907], to [1519] the acknowledgement [1922] of the mystery [3466] of God [2316], and [2532] of the Father [3962], and [2532] of Christ [5547];

¹⁹ Speaking [2980] to yourselves [1438] in psalms [5568] and [2532] hymns [5215] and [2532] spiritual [4152] songs [5603], singing [103] and [2532] making melody [5567] in [1722] your [5216] heart [2588] to the Lord [2962];
²⁰ Giving thanks [2168] always [3842] for [5228] all things [3956] unto God [2316] and [2532] the Father [3962] in [1722] the name [3686] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547];

¹⁸ But [1161] grow [837] in [1722] grace [5485], and [2532] in the knowledge [1108] of our [2257] Lord [2962] and [2532] Saviour [4990] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]. To him [846] be glory [1391] both [2532] now [3568] and [2532] for [1519] ever [165] [2250]. Amen [281].

¹ What [5101] shall we say [2046] then [3767]? Shall we continue [1961] in sin [266], that [2443] grace [5485] may abound [4121]?

⁶ Let your [5216] speech [3056] be alway [3842] with [1722] grace [5485], seasoned [741] with salt [217], that ye may know [1492] how [4459] ye [5209] ought [1163] to answer [611] every [1538] man [1520].

³ And [2532] they sing [103] the song [5603] of Moses [3475] the servant [1401] of God [2316], and [2532] the song [5603] of the Lamb [721], saying [3004], Great [3173] and [2532] marvellous [2298] are thy [4675] works [2041], Lord [2962] God [2316] Almighty [3841]; just [1342] and [2532] true [228] are thy [4675] ways [3598], thou King [935] of saints [40].

⁶ And [2532] hath made [4160] us [2248] kings [935] and [2532] priests [2409] unto God [2316] and [2532] his [846] Father [3962]; to him [846] be glory [1391] and [2532] dominion [2904] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]. Amen [281].

⁵ And [2532] from [575] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], who is the faithful [4103] witness [3144], and the first begotten [4416] of [1537] the dead [3498], and [2532] the prince [758] of the kings [935] of the earth [1093]. Unto him that loved [25] us [2248], and [2532] washed [3068] us [2248] from [575] our [2257] sins [266] in [1722] his own [846] blood [129],

¹⁷ Every [3956] good [18] gift [1394] and [2532] every [3956] perfect [5046] gift [1434] is [2076] from above [509], and cometh down [2597] from [575] the Father [3962] of lights [5457], with [3844] whom [3739] is [1762] no [3756] variableness [3883], neither [2228] shadow [644] of turning [5157].

¹¹ It is a faithful [4103] saying [3056]: For [1063] if [1487] we be dead with [4880] him, we shall [4800] also [2532] live with [4800] him:
¹² If [1487] we suffer [5278], we shall [4821] also [2532] reign with [4821] him: if [1487] we deny [720] him, he also [2548] will deny [720] us [2248]:
¹³ If [1487] we believe not [569], yet he [1565] abideth [3306] faithful [4103]: he cannot [3756] [1410] deny [720] himself [1438].
¹⁴ Of these things [5023] put them in remembrance [5279], charging [1263] them before [1799] the Lord [2962] that they strive [3054] not [3361] about words [3054] to [1519] no [3762] profit [5539], but to [1909] the subverting [2692] of the hearers [191].

¹⁶ And [2532] without controversy [3672] great [3173] is [2076] the mystery [3466] of godliness [2150]: God [2316] was manifest [5319] in [1722] the flesh [4561], justified [1344] in [1722] the Spirit [4151], seen [3700] of angels [32], preached [2784] unto [1722] the Gentiles [1484], believed on [4100] in [1722] the world [2889], received up [353] into [1722] glory [1391].

¹⁴ Wherefore [1352] he saith [3004], Awake thou [1453] that sleepest [2518], and [2532] arise [450] from [1537] the dead [3498], and [2532] Christ [5547] shall give [2017] thee [4671] light [2017].

¹ Though [1437] I speak [2980] with the tongues [1100] of men [444] and [2532] of angels [32], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am become [1096] as sounding [2278] brass [5475], or [2228] a tinkling [214] cymbal [2950].
² And [2532] though [1437] I have [2192] the gift of prophecy [4394], and [2532] understand [1492] all [3956] mysteries [3466], and [2532] all [3956] knowledge [1108]; and [2532] though [1437] I have [2192] all [3956] faith [4102], so [5620] that I could remove [3179] mountains [3735], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am [1510] nothing [3762].
³ And [2532] though [1437] I bestow [5595] all [3956] my [3450] goods [5224] to feed [5595] the poor, and [2532] though [1437] I give [3860] my [3450] body [4983] to [2443] be burned [2545], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], it profiteth me [5623] nothing [3762].
⁴ Charity [26] suffereth long [3114], and is kind [5541]; charity [26] envieth [2206] not [3756]; charity [26] vaunteth [4068] not [3756] itself [4068], is [5448] not [3756] puffed up [5448],
⁵ Doth [807] not [3756] behave itself unseemly [807], seeketh [2212] not [3756] her own [1438], is [3947] not [3756] easily provoked [3947], thinketh [3049] no [3756] evil [2556];
⁶ Rejoiceth [5463] not [3756] in [1909] iniquity [93], but [1161] rejoiceth [4796] in the truth [225];
⁷ Beareth [4722] all things [3956], believeth [4100] all things [3956], hopeth [1679] all things [3956], endureth [5278] all things [3956].
⁸ Charity [26] never [3763] faileth [1601]: but [1161] whether [1535] there be prophecies [4394], they shall fail [2673]; whether [1535] there be tongues [1100], they shall cease [3973]; whether [1535] there be knowledge [1108], it shall vanish away [2673].
⁹ For [1063] we know [1097] in [1537] part [3313], and [2532] we prophesy [4395] in [1537] part [3313].
¹⁰ But [1161] when [3752] that which is perfect [5046] is come [2064], then [5119] that which is in [1537] part [3313] shall be done away [2673].
¹¹ When [3753] I was [2252] a child [3516], I spake [2980] as [5613] a child [3516], I understood [5426] as [5613] a child [3516], I thought [3049] as [5613] a child [3516]: but [1161] when [3753] I became [1096] a man [435], I put away [2673] childish things [3516].
¹² For [1063] now [737] we see [991] through [1223] a glass [2072], darkly [1722] [135]; but [1161] then [5119] face [4383] to [4314] face [4383]: now [737] I know [1097] in [1537] part [3313]; but [1161] then [5119] shall I know [1921] even as [2531] also [2532] I am known [1921].
¹³ And [1161] now [3570] abideth [3306] faith [4102], hope [1680], charity [26], these [5023] three [5140]; but [1161] the greatest [3187] of these [5130] is charity [26].

¹⁵ What [5101] is it [2076] then [3767]? I will pray [4336] with the spirit [4151], and [1161] I will pray [4336] with the understanding [3563] also [2532]: I will sing [5567] with the spirit [4151], and [1161] I will sing [5567] with the understanding [3563] also [2532].

¹³ Forbearing [430] one another [240], and [2532] forgiving [5483] one another [1438], if [1437] any man [5100] have [2192] a quarrel [3437] against [4314] any [5100]: even as [2531] [2532] Christ [5547] forgave [5483] you [5213], so [3779] also [2532] do ye [5210].

¹⁶ Having [2192] a good [18] conscience [4893]; that [2443], whereas [1722] [3739] they speak evil [2635] of you [5216], as [5613] of evildoers [2555], they may be ashamed [2617] that falsely accuse [1908] your [5216] good [18] conversation [391] in [1722] Christ [5547].

⁹ Not [3361] rendering [591] evil [2556] for [473] evil [2556], or [2228] railing [3059] for [473] railing [3059]: but [1161] contrariwise [5121] blessing [2129]; knowing [1492] that [3754] ye are [2564] thereunto [1519] [5124] called [2564], that [2443] ye should inherit [2816] a blessing [2127].

⁷ Likewise [3668], ye husbands [435], dwell with [4924] them according to [2596] knowledge [1108], giving [632] honour [5092] unto the wife [1134], as [5613] unto the weaker [772] vessel [4632], and [2532] as [5613] being heirs together [4789] of the grace [5485] of life [2222]; that [1519] your [5216] prayers [4335] be [1581] not [3361] hindered [1581].

¹ Likewise [3668], ye wives [1135], be in subjection [5293] to your own [2398] husbands [435]; that [2443], if any [1536] obey not [544] the word [3056], they [2770] also [2532] may [2770] without [427] the word [3056] be won [2770] by [1223] the conversation [391] of the wives [1135];

⁵ Let your conversation [5158] be without covetousness [866]; and be content [714] with such things as ye have [3918]: for [1063] he [846] hath said [2046], I will never [3364] leave [447] thee [4571], nor [3761] [3364] forsake [1459] thee [4571].

³ Endeavouring [4704] to keep [5083] the unity [1775] of the Spirit [4151] in [1722] the bond [4886] of peace [1515].

² With [3326] all [3956] lowliness [5012] and [2532] meekness [4236], with [3326] longsuffering [3115], forbearing [430] one another [240] in [1722] love [26];

¹⁶ Be of the same [846] mind [5426] one toward another [1519] [240]. Mind [5426] not [3361] high things [5308], but [235] condescend [4879] to men of low estate [5011]. Be [1096] not [3361] wise [5429] in [3844] your own conceits [1438].
¹⁷ Recompense [591] to no man [3367] evil [2556] for [473] evil [2556]. Provide [4306] things honest [2570] in the sight [1799] of all [3956] men [444].
¹⁸ If [1487] it be possible [1415], as much as lieth in [1537] you [5216], live peaceably [1514] with [3326] all [3956] men [444].
¹⁹ Dearly beloved [27], avenge [1556] not [3361] yourselves [1438], but [235] rather give [1325] place [5117] unto wrath [3709]: for [1063] it is written [1125], Vengeance [1557] is mine [1698]; I [1473] will repay [467], saith [3004] the Lord [2962].

⁹ Let love [26] be without dissimulation [505]. Abhor [655] that which is evil [4190]; cleave [2853] to that which is good [18].
¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned [5387] one to another [1519] [240] with brotherly love [5360]; in honour [5092] preferring [4285] one another [240];
¹¹ Not [3361] slothful [3636] in business [4710]; fervent [2204] in spirit [4151]; serving [1398] the Lord [2962];
¹² Rejoicing [5463] in hope [1680]; patient [5278] in tribulation [2347]; continuing instant [4342] in prayer [4335];
¹³ Distributing [2841] to the necessity [5532] of saints [40]; given [1377] to hospitality [5381].

²⁷ To whom [3739] God [2316] would [2309] make known [1107] what [5101] is the riches [4149] of the glory [1391] of this [5127] mystery [3466] among [1722] the Gentiles [1484]; which [3739] is [2076] Christ [5547] in [1722] you [5213], the hope [1680] of glory [1391]:

⁴ Or [2228] despisest thou [2706] the riches [4149] of his [846] goodness [5544] and [2532] forbearance [463] and [2532] longsuffering [3115]; not knowing [50] that [3754] the goodness [5543] of God [2316] leadeth [71] thee [4571] to [1519] repentance [3341]?