As Paul the apostle
continued to share with the Colossian church members, he included
“charity” and “peace” as some of the spiritual
attributes which they were to “put on” instead of their
old ways which were to be “put off”. Paul desired that the
Colossans grow and mature in their relationship with God and with one
another, and in chapter three and verse sixteen of his letter to
them, Paul encouraged them toward the “word of Christ”,
“teaching” and “admonishing one another” with
singing. We read:
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.
The verse begins, “Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;”
Once again Paul employed the word “Let”
to begin this verse. It implies choice, and his encouragement is to
“allow, permit or give permission to” “the word of
Christ” which is “the
doctrine or teaching of Jesus” to “dwell in you”
or “live within or influence you” “richly”
which means “abundantly” “in all wisdom”
or “broad and full of intelligence”. The “word of
Christ” was to permeate the
lives of the Christians in Colosse so everything they did would be
influenced by it.
The verse goes on to
say, “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs,”
Paul went on to add, “teaching”
which means “to hold discourse, instruct or impart instruction”
“and admonishing”
or “warning and exhorting” “one another in psalms”
which literally are “strikings or twangings” and refers to “a
pious song” “and hymns”
which are “songs in the praise of God or a sacred song” and
“spiritual songs”
or “songs that relate to the human spirit or rational soul”. The
Colossians were to be taught and admonished through songs that lifted
their spirits, warned and admonished them, and gave praise to God
above which would encourage them in their walk with Him.
Finally the verse
says, “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Paul concludes this verse with the idea of “singing”
or “praising” “with grace in your hearts”
which means “joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness
and grace of speech within them” “to the Lord”.
The Colossian church members were to have good will, loving kindness
and favor toward the Lord and toward one another, and as they sang of
the Lord's goodness and grace, they would be more inclined to be so.
How long has it been
since we have been encouraged by “the word of Christ”
and simply “singing” or praising? Paul's words were intended by
God for the Colossians, but they also apply to us as well. We should
be among those who “Let”
the “word of Christ”
live within and influence us, and we should encourage and admonish
one another through “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs”.
As we consider these words of Paul, perhaps we would benefit by
singing a spiritual song unto the Lord, and as we do, let us allow
His grace to fill our hearts once again as we become more and more
like Him every day.
Next
time Paul tells the Colossians how they should do what they do, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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