Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
The word of Christ (o logov tou Xristou). This precise phrase only here, though "the word of the Lord" in I Thessalonians 1:8; I Thessalonians 4:15; II Thessalonians 3:1. Elsewhere "the word of God." Paul is exalting Christ in this Epistle. Xristou can be either the subjective genitive (the word delivered by Christ) or the objective genitive (the word about Christ). See I John 2:14.
Dwell (enoikeitw). Present active imperative of enoikew, to make one's home, to be at home.
In you (en umin). Not "among you."
Richly (plousiwv). Old adverb from plousiov (rich). See I Timothy 6:17. The following words explain plousiwv.
In all wisdom (en pash sofiai). It is not clear whether this phrase goes with plousiwv (richly) or with the participles following (didaskontev kai nouqetountev, see Colossians 1:28). Either punctuation makes good sense. The older Greek MSS. had no punctuation. There is an anacoluthon here. The participles may be used as imperatives as in Romans 12:11 f., Romans 12:16.
With psalms (yalmoiv, the Psalms in the Old Testament originally with musical accompaniment),
hymns (umnoiv, praises to God composed by the Christians like I Timothy 3:16),
spiritual songs (wdaiv pneumatikaiv, general description of all whether with or without instrumental accompaniment). The same song can have all three words applied to it.
Singing with grace (en xariti aidontev). In God's grace (II Corinthians 1:12). The phrase can be taken with the preceding words. The verb aidw is an old one (Ephesians 5:19) for lyrical emotion in a devout soul.
In your hearts (en taiv kardiaiv umwn). Without this there is no real worship "to God" (tw qew). How can a Jew or Unitarian in the choir lead in the worship of Christ as Saviour? Whether with instrument or with voice or with both it is all for naught if the adoration is not in the heart.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Colossians 3:16:
Ephesians 5:19
2 Timothy 1:5
2 Peter 1:11
Revelation 5:9
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