Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 3:16

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God." — Colossians 3:16 (ASV)

All the preceding appeals (with the possible exception of that in v.15) have to do largely with duties Christians owe one another. Verses 16–17 focus attention on matters that have to do more directly with one’s personal life. Even here, however, the thought of our duty to others is not entirely absent.

“The word of Christ” probably refers to the Gospel, i.e., the message about Christ (though it could also refer to Christ’s own teaching as recorded or remembered by his apostles). We must submit to the demands of the Christian message and let it become so deeply implanted within us that it controls all our thinking.

In the remainder of this verse, “with all wisdom” belongs with “teach” and “counsel.” The thought is that under the influence of the word of Christ Christians are to do two things: (1) Making use of every kind of wisdom, they are to teach and admonish one another. (2) Using psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, they are to sing with gratitude in their hearts to God.

No rigid distinctions should be made between “psalms,” “hymns,” and “spiritual songs.” Paul is simply emphasizing the rich variety in Christian song. Essentially the three terms heighten the idea of joyousness called for in the passage. If any differences are made, “psalms” may be taken to refer to the OT psalter, “hymns” and “spiritual songs” to distinctly Christian compositions. The great periods of renewal in Christendom have always been accompanied by an outburst of hymnology. Christian hymns must express real emotion of the heart, adoration, and worship in a way that is worthy of our Savior.