Colossians 3:16
What does Colossians 3:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 3:16 means
Paul calls the church to let “the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Christ’s message and teaching should take up permanent, abundant residence among them, shaping wisdom. This indwelling overflows into “teaching and admonishing one another,” showing that instruction is a mutual, community task, not reserved to a few. Corporate worship—“psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”—becomes a vehicle for truth, as believers sing to God with grace in their hearts. Worship is both vertical (to God) and horizontal (edifying one another). A Scripture-saturated, Christ-centered congregation will counsel, correct, and encourage through truth-filled words and songs, fostering a wise, thankful, and unified people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let the word of Christ be in you in all wealth of wisdom; teaching and helping one another with songs of praise and holy words, making melody to God with grace in your hearts.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing each other, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, in grace singing in your hearts to the Lord;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly: in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let the word of the Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts toGod.
Context
Following the call to let Christ’s peace rule (verse 15), verse 16 shows how Christ’s word richly dwelling sustains communal wisdom and worship. This leads directly into verse 17’s sweeping principle: do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, with thanks to the Father through Him. With peace ruling and the word dwelling, the church is equipped to live a comprehensive, Christ-honoring life. The next section (verses 18–25) will apply this Christ-centered ethic to household relationships and daily work.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 5:9
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
- 1 John 2:14
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.
- Jeremiah 15:16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy words were unto me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O Jehovah, God of hosts.
- Deuteronomy 6:6
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart;
- Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.
- Romans 10:17
So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
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