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Document Details :

Title: The Paraenetic Use of 'Spiritual Songs' (Col 3,16b) in Colossians
Author(s): WHITE, Joel
Journal: Biblica
Volume: 101    Issue: 1   Date: 2020   
Pages: 69-86
DOI: 10.2143/BIB.101.1.3287515

Abstract :
The author of Colossians (probably Paul) enjoins the believers in Jesus there to 'teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs'. He models this very injunction by quoting from three different songs: a Song of Christ (1,15-20), a Song of Salvation (2,14-15), and a Song of Blessing (3,15a.16a). Paul alludes to these songs at various points and uses them to encourage the believers — in line with the purpose of the epistle — to live lives that are pleasing to God. This article seeks to establish the broadly hymnic nature of the passages and to examine the way in which Paul uses them for paraenetic instruction.

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