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Ephesians 5:19 – Our Bodies As Instrumental Music #2?
Although unknown among NT churches, the group now called The Roman Catholic Church introduced “it” into its ritual centuries later. By 1000 AD “it” became more common.
For centuries after that millennium, some churches in protestation to Catholicism also excluded “it” in church. Today several religious groups still don’t use “it” in their assemblies: Orthodox Jews, Presbyterians using the “regulative principle”, Mennonites, and more, including the local church I belong to. If you haven’t figured out what “it” is, “it” is musical instruments.
An argument that has fallen out of use falls right into place when reading Ephesians 5:19 and its context. Missing from that verse is any mention of musical instruments. Many within my circle use the Argument from Silence – what God specifically specifies rules out any addition not mentioned (i.e. gopher wood excludes oak, the tribe of Levi excludes Judah – Hebrews 7:14). That’s a “sound” approach; but the context supplies an intriguing other argument. Maybe God wasn’t silent.
Ephesians 4:17-5:21 emphasize words (what we say) and walking (how we act). At the end of this pericope we have the command to sing (v.19) – that would be words (what we say). Early Christians argued the body replaces the musical instrument. That would fall under our walk (how we act). Hmmm, right after this passage the body is referred to in marriage.
It is always easier to prove that which is specifically mentioned than the “and such things” (Galatians 5:21). But one thing Jesus’s parables teaches is God wants us to think beyond a “Thou shalt not” level. Think higher: 1) Is what God does not say important? Must be because He says “don’t add to what I say.” 2) Is the new covenant fundamentally different than the old? Must be since Jesus contrasted the two (John 4).
All this means within Ephesians, instead of using our words for harm, we sing. Instead of using our bodies for evil, they are our instrument of musical praise. If you want to hear and see what this kind of musical praise sounds like, come visit us.
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