Colossenses 3

Colossenses 3:16

Vincent wrote that in the early Christian Church, it was not unusual to employ verse or rhythm for theological teaching or statement (sadly this is a far cry from most praise music today as discussed below). Psalms (5568) (psalmos from psállo = to sing, chant) describes a set piece of music, sacred ode (originally accompanied by a stringed instrument). Psalms in OT originally with musical accompaniment. The idea of accompaniment passed away in usage, and the psalm, in NT phraseology, is an OT psalm or a composition having that character. Hymns (5215) (humnos) is a song or hymn in honor of God. It also came to mean praise to men. Whereas a psalm is the story of man's deliverance or a commemoration of mercies received, a hymn is a magnificat, a declaration of how great someone or something is. A hymn is a direct address of praise and glory to God. According to Augustine a hymn has three characteristics: It must be sung; it must be praise; it must be to God. The word "hymn" nowhere occurs in the writings of the apostolic fathers because it was used as a praise to heathen deities and thus the early Christians instinctively shrank from it. Spiritual (4152) songs (5603) (oide from ado = to sing in praise or honor of someone) describes a chant or "ode" and is the general term for any words sung whether with or without instrumental accompaniment. An example of a "spiritual song" might be O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer. —Joseph Scriven SINGING WITH THANKFULNESS IN YOUR HEARTS TO GOD: en (te) chariti adontes (PAPMPN) en tais kardiais humon to theo: Col 4:6; Ps 28:7; 30:11,12; 47:6,7; 63:4, 5, 6; 71:23; 103:1,2; 138:1; 1Co 14:15 WORD FILLED SAINTS ARE FILLED WITH GRATITUDE Singing (1038) (aido) means to sing and in NT always of praise to God. More literally Paul says the saints are to "Singing with the grace in their hearts". The phrase “with grace” goes with “singing.” Thankfulness (5485) (charis) - Charis may mean thanksgiving, and that meaning is consistent with the context, as it indicates a grateful spirit which should characterize singing. Our singing must be from the heart and not just with the lips. If the Word of Christ is not richly dwelling within our heart, we will be much less likely to sing thankfully from our heart. Colossians 3:16 parallels Ephesians 5:18; 19; 20 where the singing of hymns, etc, is the outgrowth of being filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit. Here in Colossians 3:16 the singing is the result of an intake of the Word of God. Do you see the parallel relationship, beloved? A believer who is filled with the Word is much more likely to be a believer who is being controlled by the Spirit. In your hearts to God "describes the sincerity of the service,-the silent symphony of the heart." (Eadie) In your hearts (2588) (kardia) (Click for analysis of kardia) Without a new heart that results from the new birth there is no real worship "to God". How can an unregenerate individual lead worship of Christ as Savior? Whether with instrument or with voice or with both it is all for naught if the adoration is not in the heart. It should be noted that the singing is to be "in your hearts," as well as to God. What a difference this would make in our congregational singing! Vine - While singing involves the audible utterance of harmonious sounds, there is to be a corresponding inward note of praise by which the heart goes out to God, the inner praise finding expression in the audible sounds. All the inmost emotions are the outcome of our relationship with Christ, and all is for the glory of God, who is the one great object of our activities. Everything is to be “unto God. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)