“Let The Word Of Christ Dwell In You Richly” – Colossians 3:16

by Micky Galloway

This passage does not just fall out of the sky into the book of Colossians. It has a very rich context. The writer has instructed them to “seek the things that are above…” to “Set your mind on the things that are above…” (Colossians 3:1-2). Major changes in their lives were necessary. It was essential that they “Put to death, therefore your members which are upon the earth … put off the old man with his doings” (Colossians 3:5-9), and “put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10). In verses 12-13 the writer lists specific virtues which they are to put on: “compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another.” This is followed by the command to forgive one another. To make the list complete, Paul adds the greatest of all virtues, “love,” which holds all others together. It is the “bond of perfectness” (verse 14). Then, verses 15 and 16 read like an addenda: (1) the peace of Christ is to “rule” in your hearts; (2) the word of Christ is to “dwell” in your hearts. Then in verse 17 the summary comes, “… whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

The words of our text, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” is not a suggestion. It is not given as something we are simply permitted to do and it is certainly not something God does to us. It is a commandment that requires action on our part. It demands obedience.

“Let the WORD OF CHRIST…” This is not merely teaching about Christ, but includes the gospel message itself. It is the “word of God” that is preached (Acts 13:5,7), “the faith” (Acts 13:8), the doctrine or “teaching of Christ” (Acts 13:12). Paul identified this message as sufficient to make man everything God wants man to be. “Every scripture inspired of God (is) also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17). It is literally the God breathed scriptures revealed by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) that will make us wise unto salvation (II Timothy 2:15). It is to be learned, understood, and practiced. Paul commanded, “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:17-18).

“Let the word of Christ DWELL …” The word, enoikeo is defined by Strong as “to inhabit.” It is to make one’s home with, to be at home. To “dwell” means that the word of God has a constant and fixed place in our hearts. It is not like a stranger that continues for only a while or makes an occasional visit. The Psalmist said, “Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalms 119:11). The word of Christ is to have permanent residence, so that it will have full opportunity to exercise complete control over our every thought and deed. Very simply, the word of Christ “dwells” in us when it molds our thoughts, feelings, guides our lives; we are willing to accept is as the fullness and completeness of all wisdom. The word of Christ, “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), must be an integral and permanent part of who we are, not just an outward performance or routine activity.

“Let the word of Christ dwell IN YOU …” God’s word must live in us. Paul said to the Galatians, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me…” (Galatians 2:20). As Paul speaks of the influence of the Philippians in a “crooked and perverse generation,” they were to hold “forth the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16). We are to be seen as, “the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid … Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). It is by the word of Christ living in us that men see and glorify the Father.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY.” The word, plousiœs simply means “abundantly.” That is, “let it be completely understood, or let the soul be fully under its influence. Let it dwell not with a scanty foothold, but with a large and liberal occupancy” (John Eadie, Commentary on the Epistle to the Colossians, quoted by Walton Weaver, Truth Commentaries, page 539)

Now HOW do we “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly?” It is not by some mystical process, but through our own diligence and effort to study (II Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11). We intentionally make our lives a home for the word of Christ. We “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). To arm ourselves against false teachers, Peter said to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). We must meditate on the word of Christ, day and night. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; and on his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalms 1:1-2; cf. 119:97). We must be doers of the word, not just hearers. James said, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But he that looketh into the perfect law, the (law) of liberty, and (so) continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing” (James 1:22-25; cf. Romans 2:13; cf. Matthew 7:24ff).

Is the word of Christ richly dwelling in you? What changes do you need to make?