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Understanding Ephesians 5:19
Understanding Ephesians 5:19
One of the many differences which separate the Lord’s church from denominational churches is the non-usage of mechanical instruments of worship. Unfortunately, in many of the Lord’s assemblies throughout the world, this is no longer a distinguishing factor because many of our brethren are introducing and using mechanical instruments of music in their worship to God. Why is this happening? Jesus has not provided new revelation on the subject (Hebrews 13:8). Ephesians 5:19 has not changed, which reads, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” So, why the change? Well, let us look at 3 reasons why individuals use mechanical instruments of music in worship and let us further understand why the Bible still does not authorize mechanical instruments of music in worship.
The Ignorance Of Brethren
Many members of the church do not know why we sing without mechanical instruments of music. This is a shame! Therefore, as they grow up in age, they also “grow out of the church” because the word was not deeply rooted in their hearts in the first place (Luke 8:11-15). We are still children on milk when we believe and practice a thing because we know it is right, then someone else can come along and remove us from the simplicity in Christ Jesus, especially on the issue of proper worship to God (2 Corinthians 11:3).
When it comes to Ephesians 5:19, we are making it harder than it has to be. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” makes clear this is a command. In Colossians 3:16, the apostle Paul provides the purpose of our speaking in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. It is designed to teach and admonish one another. However, when we speak these things, we are not only to speak them to each other, but to ourselves as well. We dare not sing thinking our brethren need these words and not we ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:12). Therefore, if our songs are not teaching truth or admonishing us and the congregation to live better and be better for King Jesus, then we ought not to speak the songs chosen.
Furthermore, we are to speak these psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Speaking is done audibly. We cannot speak “in our mind” and conclude we have kept this command. Speak and be heard. Also, we are limited to what we are to speak. We must speak psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. If it is not a psalm, hymn, or spiritual song, then we cannot speak it to one another or ourselves in our worship to God.
“Singing and making melody” are what we are to do when we speak in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Singing is done with the voice only. Making melody refers to us playing an instrument. Nevertheless, God chose the instrument we are to play in the next phrase.
“With your heart” is the instrument we are commanded to use. When God tells us what to use, this eliminates everything else. When God authorized the heart as the instrument, then this eliminated the piano, the drums, the guitar, and any other mechanical instruments of music.
A Failure In Understanding Biblical Authority
Unfortunately, the religious world is doing many things without authority from God. This includes the use of mechanical instruments of music in the worship. Whenever I do a gospel meeting and the issue of music comes up, I find myself reminding brethren we are not against music, nor are we against instruments of music. We are, however, against mechanical instruments of music and there is a difference.
The word “music” is generic and it is foreign to Ephesians 5:19. If God has simply said, “Making music to the Lord,” then there would be no need for debate, for this would authorize us to do whatever we like in fulfilling the command to make music. If I want to sing, then I can sing. If I want to sing and play, then I can sing and play. If I want to just play an instrument, then I can do this too. However, God did not say “make music,” He said, “singing and making melody.”
Singing is specific to music, for it is a type of music. Making melody is specific to music, for it is a type of music. So, our speaking psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are limited to this type of music only.
As stated earlier, the Bible is not against instruments of music, but it is against mechanical instruments of music. Mechanical instruments are man-made, but instruments are made by God. The instrument God authorizes is the heart. This is what we are to play, along with our singing to the Lord.
But What About The Greek?
For the record, many individuals who run to the Greek to try and justify a practice cannot tell you the different between a Greek letter and a chicken track. I find it strange when individuals cannot get right what the Bible says in English, but are willing to put their faith and salvation in what a “scholar” says in the Greek.
Understand man not only learns how to sin after Satan, but also learns how to change the subject when they fail to convert one to folly (Matthew 4:1-11). Many have simply moved to using Greek for justification because they have failed to convince others by the plain text.
The argument has to do with the words, “making melody,” “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” The verb “making melody” is also translated “psalming,” which in the Greek is the word, “psallo.” The word “psallo” means, “to rub or touch the surface; to twitch or twang, i.e. to play on a stringed instrument (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes).” This is what the word means. Nevertheless, God specifically tells us what to rub, touch the surface of, twitch, twang, pluck, and play. Ephesians 5:19 teaches we are to pluck and play the heart. How do we do this? We do this by singing with the spirit and with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15).
Also, the Greek definitions of the words “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” can be used with or without the use of mechanical instruments, but it does not suggest they must. If a psalm is not a psalm unless it is accompanied by the plucking and/or playing of a mechanical instrument of music, then where is the scripture for it?
As we continue to study Ephesians 5:19 and any other scripture in the Bible, then let us always keep in mind the following:
“We do not have the right to change the word to fit the man, but man must change to fit the word. Why? It is because Christ is not lost, we are. Therefore, we must do what He says and not what we want!”
