Abstract
This article presents an exegetical investigation of several Pauline texts in which he encourages early Christian communities to praise God with song and music. Paul encourages the congregation in Rome to praise God in unity. The Colossians and Ephesians are exhorted to sing in order to instruct and to admonish one another to glorify God. Furthermore Paul remarks on hymn singing in the Corinthian congregation. In this article it is indicated that influences from Jewish, Roman and Greek cultures in these different communities are probable. Each of these three cultures had a long musical tradition and thus the content and typical features of their musical traditions are investigated. Furthermore, the issue whether Paul utilised features from these musical traditions to encourage the early Christians to praise God with song and music is also explored. The article concludes that insight in these features results in a better understanding of Paul’s teaching with regard to the use of song and music in Christian worship – also for today.
Highlights
In Romans 15:9-12 Paul encourages the Christian congregation to praise God with song and music
In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul again refers to song and music utilized by the congregation in his explanation of the function of the gifts of the Spirit in the church. His exhortations to sing are found again in Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19.1 It is a question whether and to what extent Jewish, Greek and Roman musical traditions are reflected in these three passages
In order to understand some musical features and practices that Paul describes, it is important to be knowledgeable of the musical traditions to which he might have referred
Summary
In Romans 15:9-12 Paul encourages the Christian congregation to praise God with song and music In this regard the following should be noticed: He quotes from the Jewish Scriptures; he quotes in Greek; and he addresses a congregation in the centre of the Roman world. In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul again refers to song and music utilized by the congregation in his explanation of the function of the gifts of the Spirit in the church. His exhortations to sing are found again in Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19.1 It is a question whether and to what extent Jewish, Greek and Roman musical traditions are reflected in these three passages. In order to understand some musical features and practices that Paul describes, it is important to be knowledgeable of the musical traditions to which he might have referred
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