I.      Let’s go on to COL 3:16

A.  1st of all this verse sounds a lot like Eph 5:18-19. (turn there)

1.    Col 3:16 also says, “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” (same thing)

2.    However, Eph 5:18 says, “Be filled with the spirit.”

B.  Now turn back to Col 3:16 he says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.”[1]

1.    The Word of Christ is the Word of God.

a)    The early apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit of God to record the Words of Christ, and they were inspired to write God’s Word.

2.    The words of the Bible, God’s written Word, are to dwell in believers, by study, meditation, and application of the Word.

a)    It then becomes a permanent abiding part of one’s life.

b)    When the words of Christ become part of a believer’s nature, they spring forth naturally and daily in psalms (songs from the Book of Psalms), hymns (other songs of praise), and spiritual songs (as opposed to secular odes) and as the NIV puts it “with gratitude.”[2]

C.  Now the Word of God can be abiding in your heart in another way and that is thru a spoken Word of God.

1.    God is going to speak to your heart and Paul says “Let the Word of Christ or the Word of God dwell in your heart richly.”

a)    Richly also means abundantly.

D.  He adds “In all wisdom.”

1.    Probably the best way to say it is that we are to teach and admonish one another in all wisdom.

II.   COL 3:17

A.  There are 2 things that I want to talk about this verse

B.  1st Verse 17 is an all-inclusive rule by which to judge our conduct as Christians.

1.    Young people today especially have a difficult time deciding whether certain things are right or wrong.

2.    This verse, committed to memory, can prove to be the key for unlocking many of these problems.

a)    The great test should be: Can I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?

b)    Would this be to His glory?

c)     Could I expect His blessing to rest on it?

d)    Would I want to be doing it when He comes back again?

3.    Notice that this test should apply to the words we speak and to the deeds we do.[3]

C.  The 2nd thing is that what ever we are doing we should do it as though we are doing it for the Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Col 3:18

A.  Wives are to submit to their husbands as their heads.

1.    This command was not limited to Paul’s day, as is obvious from two reasons he gave elsewhere:

a)    (1) the order of Creation (man was created first, then woman; 1 Tim. 2:13); (2) the order within the Godhead (Christ submits to the Father; 1 Cor. 11:3).

b)    Submission does not mean inferiority; it simply means that someone has to make the final decision. The husband is head of the home.

(1)  If he may be thought of as the “president,” she is the “vice-president.”

B.  Of course there are moral limits to this submission; it is only as is fitting in the Lord.

1.    Just as obedience to government is commanded (Rom. 13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13) but only insofar as government takes its place under God (Ex. 1; Dan. 3; 6), even so a wife’s submission to her husband is only “in the Lord.”

2.    That is, she is not obligated to follow her husband’s leadership if it conflicts with specific scriptural commands.[4]

IV.    Col 3:19

A.  Husbands are responsible to love their wives (as Christ loved the church; Eph. 5:28-29).

1.    So they are to exercise loving leadership, not dictatorial dominion.

a)    Perhaps husbands need this reminder to be tender and loving as much or more than wives need the reminder not to usurp authority over their husbands.

b)    Assuming absolute authority will only embitter one’s wife, not endear her.

2.    The NIV actually has this translated incorrectly. The NIV uses the words “be harsh” it is more literally, “make bitter.”

B.  Wives, are like tender and sensitive flowers (cf. 1 Peter 3:7), may wilt under authoritarian dominance but blossom with tender loving care.

1.    So in a maturing marriage the husband exercises compassionate care and his wife responds in willing submission to this loving leadership.[5]

C.      Col 3:20-21

1.    When he says, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged”.[6]

2.    This literally means do not continually harass your children by causing them to be enraged.

a)    Do not deliberately stir them up to wrath.

b)    This has to do with going over board.

V.  Col 3:22-25      

WOLCC Thurs. 9/25/2003

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[1]The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Col 3:16). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[2]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[3]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (electronic ed.) (Col 3:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[4]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

cf. confer, compare

[5]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[6]The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Col 3:21). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.