Put on the New Self, Part 3

(15) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (17) Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Col 3:15-17)

In this last part of the ‘putting on of the new self,’ Paul completes the qualities that mark the lifestyle of a new believer. His conclusion references: 1) the peace of Christ, 2) the word of Christ, and 3) the name of Christ.

The Priorities

The Peace of Christ

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Col 3:15)

‘Peace’ – We know the meaning of the word as tranquility, but John MacArthur sees the word as including, “... both the concept of an agreement, pact, treaty, or bond, and that of an attitude of rest or security.” [1] And we see this in Rom 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” He continues with this insight, “the war between the believer and God is over, and the treaty was paid for by the blood of Christ. Because of that, believers are at rest and secure.” [2] (Phil 4:7)
Definition: ‘rule’ – The Greek word, brabeuō { brab-yoo'-o }, means to be an umpire, to decide or determine, to direct, control, rule. It is a sports term used of an umpire deciding the outcome of an athletic activity or contest. The umpire is the arbiter.
Per Albert Barnes, “The meaning here is, that the peace which God gives to the soul is to be to us what the [officials or judges] or governor at the games was to those who contended there. It is to preside over and govern the mind; to preserve every thing in its place; and to save it from tumult, disorder, and irregularity.” [3]
Douglas Mangum sees this verse like this, “Paul commands the Colossians to let Christ’s peace reign in them. Instead of fighting and pursuing opposing agendas, they are to be peaceable. Paul roots this pursuit in the fact that they are actually part of one body: the body of Christ. As such, they should be unified and benefit one another (3:16).” [4]
Further expounding on this, Norman Geisler, “Believers are also to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts because they are called to peace as members of one body. The closer believers are to Christ (and His likeness), the closer they are to each other. In interpersonal relationships “peace” (transcendent, God-given tranquility) should rule (...). Christ’s followers who have put on the virtues Paul listed (3:12–14), are concerned about being arbitrated in every trying circumstance by His peace, not by their wrangling. Also Christians are to be thankful (cf. Phil. 4:6; Col. 1:12; 3:16–17; 4:2; 1 Thes. 5:18). An attitude of gratitude contributes to an enjoyment of spiritual tranquility, whereas grumbling makes for inner agitation.” [5]
‘and be thankful’ – Paul seems to desire that they do their best to promote harmony in the body by having a heart filled with thankfulness. As you might imagine, ungrateful people create agitation and restlessness, which causes others to become dissatisfied, even when they have no idea why they think they are dissatisfied.

The Word of Christ

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col 3:16)

‘Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you’

Definition: ‘dwell’ – The Greek word, enoikeō { en-oy-keh'-o } means to dwell in one or inhabit and influence him. Louw and Nida define it as “to remain in a place defined psychologically or spiritually—‘to be in, to live in, to dwell in, to reside in.’” [6] John MacArthur defined as, “‘to live in,’ or ‘to be at home.’” [7]
“word of Christ” – “... refers to the revelation He brought into the world, which is Scripture. Peace and thankfulness, as well as unity, love, and all the required virtues, flow from a mind controlled by Scripture. [8]
Putting it together, “Paul calls upon believers to let the Word take up residence and be at home in their lives. The Greek word, plousiōs (richly), could also be translated ‘abundantly or extravagantly rich.’ The truths of Scripture should permeate every aspect of the believer's life and govern every thought, word, and deed. The Word dwells in us when we hear it (Matt. 13:9), handle it (2 Tim. 2:15), hide it (Ps. 119:11), and hold it fast (Phil. 2:16). To do those things, the Christian must read, study, and live the Word. To let the word of Christ richly dwell is identical to being filled with the Spirit (cf. Eph. 5:18). The Word in the heart and mind is the handle by which the Spirit turns the will. It is clear that these two concepts are identical because the passages that follow each are so similar.” [9]
Albert Barnes says much the same, “The meaning is, that they were to lay up the doctrines of the gospel in their hearts, to meditate upon them; to allow them to be their guide, and to endeavor wisely to improve them to the best purpose.” [10]
And lastly, Norman Giesler added this, “The new life Christians must ‘put on’ is one in which the Word of Christ dwells richly. Christ’s words were recorded by Spirit-guided apostles (cf. John 14:26; 16:13; 20:31). The words of the Bible, God’s written Word, are to dwell in believers. That is, by study, meditation, and application of the Word, it becomes a permanent abiding part of one’s life. 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) with gratitude (... “in grace”). This can mean either (a) God’s grace, (b) graciousness in Christian singing, or (c) Christian thanks.” [11]

‘with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another’

Definition: ‘wisdom’ – The Greek word, didaskō { did-as'-ko } means to impart instruction, instill doctrine into one. Louw and Nida define it as “the capacity to understand and, as a result, to act wisely—‘to be prudent, wisdom.’” [12]
John Gill saw this wisdom as ‘spiritual wisdom, or wisdom is spiritual thing,’ like those related to salvation, which he saw as coming through the ‘word of Christ,’ like reading, listening to and meditating on Scripture. This gives the recipient the knowledge of Christ and should be desired and prayed for by believers. [13]
MacArthur makes a good observation here. There are two results of the ‘Word of Christ’ dwelling in the believers, one positive and one negative, although, in reality the negative is for the benefit of the believer. The first is it teaches us. Teaching is the impartation of positive truth in a believer's life. The second is that it admonishes us. Admonishment is the negative side of teaching but it is meant to inform the believer of the consequences of their behavior. Both are the result of the Word of Christ overflowing in the life of a believer and are meant to grow someone who desires to be changed into the likeness of Christ. [14] When we allow the Word of Christ to indwell us, it changes us, it molds into the person that God intended us to become. (2 Tim 3:16)

‘with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.’

And finally, the ‘Word of Christ’ causes believers to break forth in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs because of the thankfulness that is in our hearts. Psalms as we know are from the Old Testament book of Psalms, put to music. Hymns are expressions of praise to God. MacArthur points out that some portions of the New Testament are thought to have been sung in the early church. Spiritual songs are thought to be testimonies telling of what God has done for us. [15]

The Name of Christ

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Col 3:17)

Whatever a believer does is supposed to be done in the ‘name of the Lord Jesus.’ God is calling His people to always express the Godly character He has called us to walk in, in whatever we do, no matter whether in good times or bad. We are always to have a mindset to be grateful to God in all things. We see something very similar in 1 Cor 10:31, which says, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” In everything we do, do it without reluctance, anger, despair, or out of a sense of legalistic duty. We serve a gracious, merciful and loving God and we never know what our situation will be, or why, or the purpose God may have in those circumstances. We are to be Christlike and always present ourselves as the people God has created us to be. (Rom 13:14)
Norman Geisler said, “... for there is no sacred-secular split in God’s eyes; He is Sovereign over all — whether in word or deed (by lip or life) [all should] be done in the name of the Lord Jesus (i.e., for His glory; cf. 1 Cor. 10:31) and with a thankful spirit (cf. Phil. 4:6; 1 Thes. 5:18). Three times in three verses Paul mentioned thankfulness: “be thankful” (Col. 3:15) “sing … with gratitude” (v. 16), and give thanks to God the Father (v. 17). [16]

(15) And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. (16) Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts. (17) And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him. (Col 3:15-17 AMP)

The Amplified Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1987)

Footnotes

Ibid, p. 158.
Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Col 3:12–17.
Norman L. Geisler, “Colossians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), p. 682.
Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), p. 730.
Ibid, p. 159.
Ibid, p. 159.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible.
Norman L. Geisler, “Colossians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), p. 682.
Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), p. 383.
Ibid, p. 160.
Norman L. Geisler, “Colossians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 682–683.

All Greek words utilize the Greek Lexicon, part of the Online Bible, Computer Program, © 1987-2026, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Blue Letter Bible and/or Louw and Nida’s Greek-English Lexicon in Logos Bible Software, Ver 10, © 2026, unless otherwise referenced.

All Scriptures quotes are from the New American Standard Bible, 1995 Revision, unless otherwise noted. Verse links from Blue Letter Bible.

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