Colossians 3:16

The word of Christ (o logo tou Cristou). This precise phrase only here, though "the word of the Lord" in 1 Thessalonians 1:8 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:15 ; 2 Thessalonians 3:1 . Elsewhere "the word of God." Paul is exalting Christ in this Epistle. Cristou can be either the subjective genitive (the word delivered by Christ) or the objective genitive (the word about Christ). See 1 John 2:14 . Dwell (enoikeitw). Present active imperative of enoikew, to make one's home, to be at home. In you (en umin). Not "among you." Richly (plousiw). Old adverb from plousio (rich). See 1 Timothy 6:17 . The following words explain plousiw. In all wisdom (en pash sopiai). It is not clear whether this phrase goes with plousiw (richly) or with the participles following (didaskonte kai nouqetounte, see 1 Timothy 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 Romans 12:11 Romans 12:16 . With psalms (psalmoi, the Psalms in the Old Testament originally with musical accompaniment), hymns (umnoi, praises to God composed by the Christians like 1 Timothy 3:16 ), spiritual songs (widai pneumatikai, 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 cariti aidonte). In God's grace ( 2 Corinthians 1:12 ). The phrase can be taken with the preceding words. The verb aidw is an old one ( Ephesians 5:19 ) for lyrical emotion in a devout soul. In your hearts (en tai kardiai umwn). Without this there is no real worship "to God" (twi qewi). 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.