Ephesians 5:19
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "speaking to yourselves" doesn't mean singing alone, but rather speaking to one another within the community. This communal singing, far from being just a casual activity, is presented as a vital expression of the Spirit's filling, a way for believers to actively encourage and build each other up through song.
Paul is contrasting the Corinthians' former pagan revelries with their new life in Christ. Instead of being drunk with wine and engaging in debauchery, they are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which expresses itself through singing praises to God. This is a practical outflow of their spiritual transformation, meant to mutually encourage believers and direct their focus to the Lord.
The Apostle Paul contrasts two kinds of gatherings: one filled with wine and revelry, the other with the Holy Spirit and song. What does this tell us about the Christian's life?
Paul is drawing a stark contrast between the empty revelry of the world and the Spirit-filled worship of believers.
The World's Empty Song
He's just warned against being drunk with wine, which leads to 'debauchery' (Ephesians 5:18). This is the kind of wild, unrestrained behavior associated with pagan festivals and parties—loud, often immoral, and ultimately unsatisfying. It's a fleeting excitement that leaves nothing lasting.
The Spirit's Enduring Melody
In direct opposition, Paul calls believers to 'be filled with the Spirit.' This filling isn't passive; it actively expresses itself through worship.
The verse mentions both speaking and singing, outward actions and inward melodies. What's the crucial connection Paul makes?
Paul emphasizes that true worship isn't just an external performance; it's deeply rooted in the heart.
Beyond Lip Service
When Paul says 'singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,' he's pointing to the source and sincerity of worship. It's not enough for the lips to move or for instruments to play (though these are part of it).
Understand the original words
kardia · Greek Noun
The central seat of human personality, encompassing the mind, will, affections, and conscience; the inner person where genuine worship and true devotion to God reside.
This verse paints a vibrant picture of early Christian community, contrasting their Spirit-filled worship with the revelry of pagan society. The specific types of songs mentioned—psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs—reflect a rich tradition rooted in Jewish worship but adapted and expanded by the new life in Christ and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
c. 4 BC – 30 AD
Life of Jesus Christ
Jesus and His disciples regularly participated in temple worship and sang hymns, including the traditional Passover Hallel (Psalms 113-118). This set a precedent for early Christian worship practices.
c. 33 AD
The Day of Pentecost
The coming of the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles, leading to spontaneous expressions of praise and prophecy in different languages. This event is seen as the birth of the Christian church and a powerful demonstration of spiritual gifts, including inspired speech and song.
c. 35 AD
Peter and John Heal a Man and Preach
After healing a lame man, Peter and John boldly proclaimed Christ. The early believers responded by lifting their voices to God in unified praise, demonstrating the communal and responsive nature of early Christian worship.
c. 49 AD
Council of Jerusalem
This council addressed the integration of Gentile believers into the church, affirming that salvation was by grace through faith, not by adherence to the Mosaic Law. This decision broadened the scope of Christian fellowship and worship, embracing diverse cultural expressions.
This passage uses very similar language, also connecting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with the indwelling of Christ's word, reinforcing the idea of teaching and encouraging one another through music.
1 Corinthians 14:15This verse speaks about praying with the Spirit and singing with the Spirit, emphasizing that both our understanding and our inner being should be engaged in worship, echoing Ephesians 5:19's call to sing 'with your heart'.
Psalm 47:7This Old Testament psalm calls for singing praises to God with understanding, demonstrating that the concept of heartfelt, intelligent praise in music is deeply rooted in Scripture and precedes the New Testament.
Acts 4:24After Peter and John were released, the early believers lifted their voices together in prayer and praise, showing this communal, Spirit-filled expression through song was a natural response to God's power and a key element of early Christian fellowship.
James 5:13This verse directly links suffering with prayer and joy with singing, highlighting that spiritual songs are not just for times of celebration but also for expressing one's entire life experience, including hardship, to God.
vincentEphesians 5:19: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
Speaking to yourselves (λαλοῦντες ἑαυτοῖς)Rev., one to another.The A.V. is literally correct, but is open to the misinterpretation each one communing with himself. The meaning is as in Colossians 3:13, and Rev. is better.PsalmsSee on 1 Corinthians 14:15.Hymns - spiritual songsSee on Colossians 3:16.
barnesEphesians 5:19: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
Speaking to yourselves - Speaking among yourselves, that is, endeavoring to edify one another, and to promote purity of heart, by songs of praise. This has the force of a command, and it is a matter of obligation on Christians. From the beginning, praise was an important part of public worship, and is designed to be to the end of the world; see the notes on 1 Co…
The phrase "speaking to yourselves" doesn't mean singing alone, but rather speaking to one another within the community. This communal singing, far from being just a casual activity, is presented as a vital expression of the Spirit's filling, a way for believers to actively encourage and build each other up through song.
Paul is contrasting the Corinthians' former pagan revelries with their new life in Christ. Instead of being drunk with wine and engaging in debauchery, they are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which expresses itself through singing praises to God. This is a practical outflow of their spiritual transformation, meant to mutually encourage believers and direct their focus to the Lord.
Paul is contrasting the Corinthians' former pagan revelries with their new life in Christ. Instead of being drunk with wine and engaging in debauchery, they are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which expresses itself through singing praises to God. This is a practical outflow of their spiritual transformation, meant to mutually encourage believers and direct their focus to the Lord.
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The Heart as the Instrument
The phrase 'making melody in your heart' means that the inner disposition—your thoughts, affections, and will—must be aligned with God. This internal reality is what gives God true pleasure. It's the difference between a beautiful sound that's hollow and one that's filled with genuine devotion.
c. 50-60 AD— this verse
Paul's Epistles to the Corinthians and Ephesians
Paul's letters, including Ephesians, provide instruction and exhortation to the early churches. In 1 Corinthians 14, he addresses the orderly use of spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues and prophecy, within corporate worship. Ephesians 5:19 builds on these principles, encouraging mutual edification through song.
c. 108-114 AD
Pliny the Younger's Letter to Emperor Trajan
The Roman governor Pliny reported on the practices of Christians in his province, noting their custom of meeting before dawn to 'sing alternately (secum invicem) a hymn to Christ as to a God.' This provides external evidence for the early use of responsive singing in Christian worship.
"addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart," — The phrase "speaking to yourselves" doesn't mean singing alone, but rather speaking to one another within the community. This communal singing, far from being just a casual activity, is presented a…
