Colossians 3:16

Grace and peace,

Today I am taking a break from 1 Corinthians to write an entry on Colossians 3:16. If anyone asks me for a 'life-verse' or an especially meaningful verse that affects my life and ministry in a special way, this is the one I would pick (at least at this stage in my life). It is a verse that I have had memorized for a long time, but I am just now experiencing its richness.

I memorized it (within the passage 12-17) in the NIV. The ESV renders it very closely to the NIV although I believe the ESV captures the verse's essence more succinctly.

Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

The verse begins where we all must begin; God's Word. That is where He reveals His Person, His purpose, and His plan to us. Thus the importance of letting it dwell in us richly. We do this by study, meditation, memorization, and application. And as His 'implanted Word' (James 1:21) abides (John 15), lives and works (Heb 4:12) in us, through the power of Holy Spirit, we become more like Christ. Then, in our actions and our words we reflect more and more the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).

Having the mind of Christ, we then can teach and admonish each other in all wisdom; His wisdom (1 Cor 2). Teaching (instructing) and admonishing (counseling, or warning in love) are integral parts of Paul's whole ministry focus; as we see in Colossians 1:28. "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." The same Greek word is in both of these verses as 'admonishing' and 'warning'. Both appeals start with God; His Person and His Word. Both stress the importance of teaching and admonishing in His wisdom. And both result in worship; presenting mature believers to Christ and singing in thankfulness.

The Word of Christ is to dwell in us as we teach and disciple as well as when we worship. Spirit and truth worship (John 4:23-24) must be grounded in the Word of God. Psalms (from the book of Psalms), hymns (song of praise to God), and spiritual songs (other expressions of song or poetry to God) must be richly infused with the Word of God and offered in a spirit of thankfulness.

If you ever need a 'nutshell' for the Christian life, Colossians 3:16 offers a starting point. God's Word dwelling in your heart, God's command to make disciples playing out in your life, and God's worship being poured out from your spirit.

May His Word dwell in you richly today,

Ethan