Colossians 3:16

Context

Colossians is traditionally regarded as a letter that the apostle Paul wrote while imprisoned (Colossians 4:3, 4:18) to the church at Colossae in Asia Minor. Some scholars hold that a disciple of Paul wrote it in his name.

Chapter 3 opens with the exhortation to "seek those things which are above" (Colossians 3:1). After urging believers to put off the old man and put on the new (3:9–10), it turns to the life of the church community. The verses immediately preceding speak of love and the peace of Christ (3:14–15), and this verse brings together the word, teaching, singing, and thanksgiving. The following verse concludes by urging that whatever believers do be done in the name of the Lord Jesus (3:17). The passage closely parallels Ephesians 5:19–21.

Interpretation

• The meaning of "the word of Christ": Some read it as the teaching Christ himself gave; others read it as the word about Christ, that is, the gospel. Many commentators regard the expression as encompassing both senses.
• The scope of "in you": The Greek expression can be rendered either as within the individual heart or as "among you," that is, within the community. Because the surrounding sentences depict believers teaching one another and singing together, many interpreters emphasize the communal sense.
• The relationship between singing and teaching: Interpreters differ over whether, in the grammatical structure of the original, "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" goes with "teaching and admonishing" or with "singing." On the former reading, song is both praise offered to God and a means by which believers teach one another the faith.

Debates and Issues

• The identity of the three kinds of song: Many interpreters take the terms to refer to various kinds of song, such as the Old Testament Psalms, new hymns honoring Christ, and songs prompted by the Holy Spirit. Some Reformed traditions, such as the Reformed Presbyterian Church, read the verse differently. Noting that all three words appear in the titles of the Psalms in the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament), they hold that all three terms refer to the Psalms. These traditions have maintained the practice of singing only the Psalms in worship (exclusive psalmody). Most Korean churches sing both hymns and gospel songs.
• Worship music: Both those who prize traditional hymnody and those who embrace contemporary praise music cite this verse in support of their positions (see worship music debate).
• Manuscripts and translation: Some manuscripts read "the word of the Lord" or "the word of God" in place of "the word of Christ," but modern critical editions adopt "the word of Christ." Likewise, at the end of the verse some manuscripts read "to the Lord" instead of "to God," and the King James Version follows "to the Lord." The Greek word charis, rendered "thankfulness" in many translations, can also mean "grace," and some English translations render the phrase "with grace."

In the Korean Church

The verse is frequently cited in sermons on the calling of choirs and worship teams and at dedication services. The phrase "teaching and admonishing one another" is understood to mean that not only pastors but all believers teach and build one another up. For this reason it is also cited in explaining the principle of the priesthood of all believers and the practice of small group meetings.

Related Passages

• Ephesians 5:19–21
• Colossians 3:17
• Colossians 1:28
• Hebrews 3:13
• John 15:7