• Colossians 3:16
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 16 ὁ The λόγος word τοῦ of the χριστοῦ Christ ἐνοικείτω let be indwelling ἐν in ὑμῖν YOU πλουσίως richly ἐν in πάσῃ all σοφίᾳ· wisdom; διδάσκοντες (ones) teaching καὶ and νουθετοῦντες putting mind in ἑαυτοὺς selves ψαλμοῖς, to psalms, ὕμνοις, to hymns, ᾠδαῖς to songs πνευματικαῖς spiritual ἐν in χάριτι, graciousness, ᾄδοντες singing ἐν in ταῖς the καρδίαις hearts ὑμῶν of YOU τῷ to the θεῷ· God;

  • Colossians 3:16
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 16 Let the word of the Christ dwell within you richly,—In all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, With gratitude raising song with your hearts unto God:

  • Colossians 3:16
    King James Version

    • 16 Let 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.

  • Colossians Study Notes—Chapter 3
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 3:16

      the word of the Christ: This expression, which occurs nowhere else in the Christian Greek Scriptures, refers to the message from and about Jesus Christ. This “word” includes the example Jesus set in his life and ministry. Paul told Christians that they should let the entire body of teaching as given by Christ reside in them, that is, become a part of them. They could do that by meditating on the message of Christian truth and being fully absorbed in it. Regarding Paul’s statement, one reference work says: “The Christian message must be an integral and permanent living force in them, not just an outward performance or routine activities.”

      Keep on teaching and encouraging one another: Here Paul urges Christians to teach, encourage, and admonish one another by singing songs with lyrics based on the inspired Scriptures. Some of the songs used in worship by the first-century Christians were psalms taken from the inspired Hebrew Scriptures. Many of the psalms contained admonition to praise God, give thanks to him, and rejoice in him.​—Ps 32:11; 106:1; 107:1; see study note on Mt 26:30.

      encouraging: Or “admonishing.” The Greek word (nou·the·teʹo) used here is a compound word composed of the word for “mind” (nous) and the word for “to put” (tiʹthe·mi) and could literally be rendered “to put mind in.” In this context, the encouragement could include reminding one another of comforting thoughts and counsel from the Scriptures. The related noun is used at Eph 6:4 (see study note) and is rendered “admonition.”

      psalms, praises to God, spiritual songs: See study note on Eph 5:19.

      singing . . . to Jehovah: See study note on Eph 5:19; see also App. C3 introduction; Col 3:16.

      in your hearts: See study note on Eph 5:19.