Study of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16—part 3

Study of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16—part 3

             Paul’s writing here connotes that the correct communication of Christ through the vehicle of music may become a means of grace to the Christian.  Our church music should become a vehicle for the word of Christ to enter our minds or hearts. I have often told my college classes that music is the handmaiden of God’s Word. St. Paul is referring to our heart in a spiritual sense when he uses the word hearts (2588).  Behm states that, "the thought that the heart is the central organ and seat of physical vitality occurs in the New Testament only in Luke 21:34 and in James 5:5."5   He goes on to explain the meaning of heart here as ". . .the religious center to which God turns, which is the root of religious life, and which determines moral conduct. . " So we can see that these songs should cause the logos to inhabit the religious center which will control our moral conduct.

            In this context we can see the importance of our songs being theologically sound so that they will correctly communicate the "word."  Colossians 3:16 warns us to use wisdom (sophia 4678) in our teaching and admonishing through song.  Along this same thought, Galatians 1:7 warns against perverting the gospel (2098) or good message of Christ.   

Thought for the Day  

It is a novel thought to many Christian musicians that the primary purpose of musicing unto God is not art but rather making the Word of God more understandable to those who attend the worship service.