Colossians 3:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
λόγος
G3056
the word
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
#3
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
Χριστοῦ
G5547
of Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#5
ἐνοικείτω
G1774
Let
to inhabit (figuratively)
#6
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#7
ὑμῖν
G5213
you
to (with or by) you
#8
πλουσίως
G4146
richly
copiously
#9
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#10
πάσῃ
G3956
all
all, any, every, the whole
#11
σοφίᾳ
G4678
wisdom
wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)
#12
διδάσκοντες
G1321
teaching
to teach (in the same broad application)
#13
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#14
νουθετοῦντες
G3560
admonishing
to put in mind, i.e., (by implication) to caution or reprove gently
#15
ἑαυτοὺς
G1438
one another
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#16
ψαλμοῖς
G5568
psalms
a set piece of music, i.e., a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a "psalm"); collectively, the book of the psalms
#17
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#18
ὕμνοις
G5215
hymns
probably akin to g0103; compare h5667); a "hymn" or religious ode (one of the psalms)
#19
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#20
ᾠδαῖς
G5603
songs
a chant or "ode" (the general term for any words sung; while g5215 denotes especially a religious metrical composition, and g5568 still more specially
#21
πνευματικαῖς
G4152
spiritual
non-carnal, i.e., (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religiou
#22
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#23
χάριτι
G5485
grace
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
#24
ᾄδοντες
G103
singing
to sing
#25
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#26
τῇ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#27
καρδίᾳ
G2588
hearts
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
#28
ὑμῶν
G5216
your
of (from or concerning) you
#29
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#30
Κυρίῳ
G2962
to the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing grace relates to the doctrine of soteriology and God's unmerited favor in salvation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Colossians Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes grace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection