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Colossians
BC Weekly Digest Monday, February 16 1998 In this issue: Colossians 3:16 Colossians 3:16 Colossians 3:20 Colossians 3:16 Colossians 3:21 Colossians 3:1-25 Colossians 3:22 Colossians 3:23,24 Colossians 3:25 Colossians 3:16 Colossians 3:16 The question has been asked: Does the word 'psalms' justify the use of instrumental music in worship? == This word occurs seven times in the New Testament. It refers to the Book of Psalms (Luke 20:42; Acts 1:20) and to the 'second Psalm' (Acts 13:33). As the most prominent book in the section, it is also used to designate all the poetical books of the Old Testament, 'the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms' (Luke 24:44). In the three remaining passages, it relates to Christian worship. "What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor 14:26 ASV). There is some question as to whether this refers to the reading of a Psalm from the Old Testament, the singing of a Psalm from the Old Testament, or whether it refers to a psalm that was written by the brother who read or sang it. It is certainly possible to quote a Psalm, as is done in the first three passages mentioned above, and to read a Psalm aloud. Therefore the use of Psalms does not in any way 'require' the use of mechanical music instruments. The Greek Orthodox Church (which has never used instruments of music) sings, chants and reads Psalms in their services. Notice that the Psalm is to be for edification. "Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:19 ASV). These psalms are a form of 'speaking' and 'singing.' The word for 'singing' here is ADOO, the most general word for 'sing.' To avoid using the word 'sing' twice, the second word here, PSALLOO, is translated as 'making melody' although it also means to sing. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God" (Col 3:16 OPV). These psalms are a form of teaching, admonishing and singing. Here again the word is ADOO, sing. Nothing in any of these passages requires or authorises the use of mechanical instruments of music. To the contrary, emphasis is placed on speaking, edifying, teaching and admonishing, which instruments cannot do. Emphasis is also place on the heart, which a 'lifeless instrument' (1 Cor 14:7) does not have. Although music instruments were not used in Christendom for hundreds of years after the time of the Apostles, some try to 'justify' using them by an 'argument' based on the use of psalms in Christian worship. It runs something like this: "Christians sing Psalms, instruments are mentioned in the Psalms, so it must be all right to use instruments." But many other elements of Old Testament worship are mentioned in the Psalms: the altar and harps (Ps 43:4); burnt offerings (Ps 20:3); the temple at Jerusalem (Ps 68:29); dance, timbrel and harp (Ps 149:3). None of these things have a place in New Covenant worship. They had a predictive spiritual meaning which has now been realized in Christ. Just as the incense in the Old Testament and in Revelation represents the prayers of the faithful (Ps 141:2; Rev 8:3,4), in the same way the music instruments in the Old Testament and in Revelation represent joy and gladness. Job says: "Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of them that weep"(Job 30:31). It is common practice in Christendom to 'justify' various practices that cannot be found in the New Covenant of Jesus Christ by seeking some precedent in the Old Testament. But this is not a proper way to use the Scriptures. No, the use of psalms in Christian worship does not justify the use of music instruments. Roy Davison ------------------------------ Colossians 3:16 Colossians 3:16 The question has been asked: Would you comment on the distinctive meanings of 'psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs'? === Reply by Frank Worgan: Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Is there any difference between the three? Indeed there is! First, Psalms. On the night in which He was betrayed, Jesus and His disciples sang 'psalms'. He did not 'sing a hymn' (Matt 26:30; Mark 14:26). The Greek text literally says, 'after hymning', and this without doubt refers to the singing of that group of psalms known as the 'HALLEL', psalms numbered 113-118. They were given this name because in the Hebrew text, each one begins with the word, 'HALLELUJAH'. These psalms, sung at the Passover celebration, commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egypt, and for that reason, when the early Christians met to celebrate the Lord's Supper instituted by Jesus that very night, it was fitting that they should also sing psalms. Of course, the word 'psalms' immediately takes us back to the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. That book, in fact, consists of 150 psalms, divided into five books. It constituted the 'hymn book' of God's ancient people, and it was easy for the first Christians to make use of these psalms, long before any other song book existed, and before 'Christian hymns', such as we know today, had been written. Besides having this divine example of Jesus, we also have a specific command instructing us to sing. The text, Colossians 3:16, contains the same instruction that is found also in Ephesians 5:19, "address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." We still use ancient songs of praise today and there are readily recognised psalms in almost every book of praise. The 23rd Psalm is a well-known example. And, if we were to examine the textual index, to be found at the back of most hymn books, we should find references to many others - too numerous to mention here! Second, hymns. Paul mentions 'hymns', which comes from the Greek word 'humnos', and you will readily see the relationship between the two words. The word simply means 'a song of praise directed to God'. Today, the word indicates an offering of praise which is particularly 'Christian', as distinct from the Psalm, which must always remind us of ancient Israel. Third, spiritual songs. Then, we have 'spiritual songs'. Here we are looking at the word 'ode', the Greek word for song, and strictly speaking, any song may be described as an 'ode'. But we should be careful to notice that in our texts, the word 'song' is characterised and qualified by the word 'spiritual'. Not every 'song' is fit to be used in the worship of God, and we should also bear in mind that, even in New Testament times, people sang popular songs - street songs - which were often coarse and vulgar. These were songs which were sung at feasts and other celebrations. They were no more suitable for use in the worship of God than the songs which are sung at 'pop-concerts, or which are 'brayed' out at football matches in these days. In a word, many of the popular 'songs' of the day, when Paul wrote to the Colossians and the Ephesians, were so far from being 'spiritual ' that Christians could not sing them either IN worship or OUT OF worship. May I suggest that whilst there are some modern popular songs with which no-one can really find fault, there are others which Christians should avoid, because they reflect a debased standard of morality and conduct which is very far from the standard Christians seek to maintain. Frank Worgan ------------------------------ Colossians 3:20 Colossians 3:20 (OPV) 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. === 3:20 "Children, obey your parents" The parallel passage in Ephesians is: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Eph 6:1-3 ASV). The second portion of this verse is the fifth of the ten commandments (Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16). One of the most important lessons children need to learn in the home is obedience. Even the Son of God "learned obedience by the things which He suffered" (Heb 5:8). Parents do their children a great injustice if they allow them to 'run wild' and do not teach them to obey. It is to the child's advantage to obey his parents. He avoids many of the pitfalls of life if he can benefit from the experience and wisdom of his parents, even when he may not fully understand 'why'. 3:20 "In all things" This simply means that obedience is not on a 'take it or leave it' basis. When a child does not at all understand the reason for a command, is often the time he most needs to obey! As is true with all forms of human authority, this does not mean that a child is to obey his parents when they tell him to do something contrary to the will of God. As Peter told the Jewish officials: "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). 3:20 "For this is well-pleasing in the Lord" God is pleased when children obey their parents because He knows this is best for the children. He too is a Father who gives His children commands for their own good. Roy Davison ------------------------------ Colossians 3:16 Colossians 3:16 (OPV) 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. === With regard to the parallel in Ephesians: "And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18,19 ASV). The passage from Ephesians is obviously explained by the passage in Col. 3:16. To be "filled with the Spirit" of Eph. 5:18 is equivalent with "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" of Col. 3:16. We are filled with the Spirit, or have the Spirit dwell in us, as we fill ourselves with the word which the Spirit revealed. This helps to eliminate the mystery of our relationship with the Spirit. Just as the Father and Son are "in us" as we know their word and obey it, so also the Spirit is "in us" as we know and obey His word. John said, "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son." II John 9. We "have" the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as we obey the word God has given us. David Arnold ------------------------------ Colossians 3:21 Colossians 3:21 (OPV) 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged. === 3:21 "Do not provoke your children" This is not referring to necessary and fair forms of discipline, which your child may not enjoy at the moment. "He that spareth his rod hateth his son; But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes" (Prov 13:24 ASV). "Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened [us] as seemed good to them; but he for [our] profit, that [we] may be partakers of his holiness. All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, [even the fruit] of righteousness" (Heb 12:9-11 ASV). Provoking children, refers to words and behavior that serve no purpose other than to irritate or exasperate. It might be intentional or it might be unintentional. A fault-finding parent, for example, who criticizes his child for every little thing and seldom gives encouragement or praise, is an example of this. This is sometimes done with the 'good' intention of teaching the child to do everything right! But it will only make him think he can do NOTHING right, and he will become discouraged. Even worse is a parent who actually ridicules a child for his mistakes, or even for just being a child. This is immensely destructive and cruel. For some reason I have noticed this being done by fathers more than by mothers, which may be why this command is specifically directed to fathers. 3:21 "So they will not become discouraged" Discouragement is an effective tool of the devil. It was because of discouragement that the Israelites spoke against God and Moses in the wilderness (Num 21:4,5). Eight of the ten spies discouraged the Israelites from entering the promised land when God was ready to lead them forward (Num 32:7,9). As a consequence, they wandered around for forty years, and died in the desert. Roy Davison ------------------------------ Colossians 3:1-25 There is a very visible practical application in this chapter: Any time any of us begin to be proud, or even satisfied with having become a good person, good parent/offspring, good Christian, good citizen of our community, all we have to do is review and carefully consider the characteristics described therein, to discover that we still have plenty of "growing room" Ed. Crabtree Colossians 3:22 Colossians 3:22 (OPV) 22 Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but with integrity of heart, fearing the Lord. === 3:22 "Slaves" Largely due to the direct and indirect influence of Christianity, slavery has become illegal in most parts of the world. The teachings of Christ improve the world from the heart out, rather than by political or military force. Whether one is slave or free, does not affect ones worth before God. "There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). The first are last and the last are first, in Christ. "Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use [it] rather. For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant. Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men" (1 Cor 7:21-23 ASV). 3:22 "Obey your masters according to the flesh in all things" Joseph is an example of a slave who attained a high position by being faithful as a slave, first in Potiphar's house, and then in prison, from where God exalted him to the position of deputy king of Egypt (Genesis 39-41). If a Christian slave is to be faithful, how much more should Christian employees be sure to fulfill their assigned tasks correctly and faithfully, following the guidelines and instructions of their employers. 3:22 "Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but with integrity of heart, fearing the Lord" It is easy for a slave -- or an employee in a less than ideal employment situation -- to feel justified in shirking his responsibilities and only working when someone is watching. People in managerial positions sometimes make decisions, not on the basis of what is best for the company in the long term, but what will make them look good personally and what will enhance their own career opportunities. A follower of Christ, whether slave or manager, strives to please God in all that he does so that God might be glorified in his activities from day to day. Again, we have a parallel passage in Ephesians: "Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free" (Eph 6:5-8 ASV). Roy Davison ------------------------------ Colossians 3:23,24 Colossians 3:23,24 (OPV) 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men. 24 You serve Christ the Lord, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. === 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men" This consecrates the whole life of a Christian. It turns tasks which otherwise would be drudgery into offerings to God. Even if others disdain what we do, God has assured us that He values our work. People sometimes forget what we have done for them. But God never forgets: "for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister" (Heb 6:10 ASV). "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10 ASV). "We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4 ASV). 3:24 "You serve Christ the Lord" Not only slaves, but we all can find ourselves in situations where those who benefit from our service do not appreciate or deserve what we do for them. This can be a great source of discouragement or even resentment for one who has not yet learned to dedicate all he does to Christ. It is an honor to be counted worthy to serve someone who is in a high position. How much greater is the privilege we have of serving Christ, who is Lord of lords and King of kings. 3:24 "Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward" Paul spoke of this inheritance previously in chapter one, verse 12: "giving thanks to the Father, who has prepared us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." This inheritance if for those who have been born again by the mercy and power of God: "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5 ASV). "And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build [you] up, and to give [you] the inheritance among all them that are sanctified" (Acts 20:32 ASV). Roy Davison ------------------------------ Colossians 3:25 Colossians 3:25 (OPV) 25 For he who does wrong will be repaid for the wrong that he has done, and there is no respect of persons. === 3:25 "Will be repaid for the wrong" There is much injustice on earth. The Scriptures teach us that God will set things right on the Day of judgment. He has the power and knowledge to do this, we do not. "Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath [of God]: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord" (Rom 12:19 ASV). "For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people" (Heb 10:30 ASV). 3:25 "There is no respect of persons" Many people get away with doing wrong because of their position of influence or power. The judgment of God will be completely impartial. In his letter to the Romans Paul discusses this: "Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things. And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things. And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his works: to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, [shall be] wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: for there is no respect of persons with God" (Rom 2:1-11 ASV; see also 1 Peter 1:17). ..People in positions of authority should remember that there is One to whom they will have to give account for their deeds. The parallel passage in Ephesians is as follows: "And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him" (Eph 6:9 ASV). Roy Davison