The Pauline Principles of Music

The apostle Paul seems to take the opposite approach of the church fathers when he says to turn your pagan music over to God in Eph 5:18-19: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” One of the best essays on the use of instruments by the Jews of the Diaspora and the early church is by Eric Werner, a lecturer on Jewish and Near Eastern Music at the Hebrew Union College.[1] Professor Werner, who is mentioned in the Bauer’s Lexicon, sets the problem in its proper historical context. The following is a summary of his six “Pauline Principles of Music:”

The Pauline Principles of Music

Paul’s reference to music is both inside and outside the worship assembly. (We are certain, however, that it is clearly a worship setting acceptable to God, from the pen of John in Rev 5, where the song leader is holding a harp.) Notice how Paul describes the use of psalms (accompanied singing) in the following passages. Certainly edification of the church is Paul’s main concern:

1. Use music to fill you with the Spirit of God (be filled with the Spirit) (Eph 5:18).

2. Let the music touch your heart (make music in your heart) not just your head

(Eph 5:19). Verse 19 also includes the root word ado which means to sing

without instruments.

3. Use music to build a sense of community (speak to one another with psalms)

(Eph 5:19).

4. Share your song in an orderly fashion to strengthen the church (for God is not a

God of disorder but of peace) (1 Cor 14:26).

5. Sing out of the gratitude in your hearts to God (Col 3:16).

6. Songs can teach and counsel one another (Col 3:16).

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[1] Everett Ferguson, ed., Studies in Early Christianity, A Garland Series.