Colossians 3:16 - John Trapp Complete Commentary

Bible Comments

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.

Ver. 16. Dwell in you richly] ενοικειτω πλουσιως, indwell in you, as an ingrafted word, incorporated into your souls; so concocted and digested by you, as that you turn it in succum et sanguinem, into a part of yourselves. This is your riches; and thus David reckons of his wealth Psalms 119:32 .

Teaching and admonishing one another] It is rightly observed by a late reverend writer, a that although we know that which we ask of others as well as they do, yet good speeches will draw us to know it better, by giving occasion to speak more of it, wherewith the Spirit works more effectually, and imprints it deeper, so that it shall be a more rooted knowledge than before. For that doth good that is graciously known; and that is graciously known that the Spirit, seals upon our souls.

In psalms and hymns] Papists forbid people to sing psalms, and permit only choristers to sing, lest the music should be marred. (Binnius.) But the apostle biddeth every saint to sing. And Nicephorus writeth that the Christians of his time, even as they travelled and journeyed, were wont to sing psalms. Tatianus also saith, That every age and order among the Christians were Christian philosophers, yea, that the very virgins and maids, as they sat at their work in wool, were wont to speak of God's word. Hist. Eccl. iii. 37

With grace in your heart] This is the best tune to any Psalm.

a Dr Sibbs on Cant. v.

Colossians 3:16

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.