有兩種方式解說「基督的道理」一詞。第一種是較為直接的：基督所說的道理──祂的教訓。另外一種解釋稍微有一點複雜，但也很恰當：「道理」（譯按：原文作Word，又可譯作話、道）是一個希臘人盛行的觀念拉格斯「logos」，那是指神聖的要素，形成及維繫宇宙的原因，也出現在每一個人的靈魂中。保羅使用這個觀念，但給予一些註腳。他把它人格化，並稱它為「基督的道」，或「道，就是基督」（看約1：1）。但二種解說都可應用。二者皆指基督教信仰的「實質」：「耶穌基督並祂的釘十字架」；與「基督要豐豐富富地住在你們裡面……」，問題是「如何做到的？」

        方法在此：「用詩章、頌詞、靈歌，彼此教導，互相勸戒……」。在此我們可以看到兩件事。保羅期待教會中的弟兄姊妹互相扶持（看林前12：7）。另外一件則是早期基督教音樂的豐富深廣。他們的音樂是有價值的──裡面滿了以歌詞表達的正確神學觀念，實實在在教化了民眾。

        這些詩歌唱了能叫人「心被恩感」。它是由美形成的──凡誠心為主做的事都帶有這種美。

        無論何時，當我們評估基督教的教訓與音樂的相關價值，總要問一個問題。這問題不是「我喜歡這個形式嗎？」不要在乎你個人的口味。應該問：「這個教導或音樂的實質是基督嗎？它吸引人親近主嗎？」如果答案是：「是的」，那就用全部心靈去唱它！

        我們以本章鑰節來祈禱。幫助我們，用各樣智慧，把基督的道理豐豐富富地藏在心裡。用詩章、頌詞、靈歌，彼此教導，互相勸戒，心被恩感，歌頌上帝。奉耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。

English

        There are two ways of interpreting "the word of Christ". The first is fairly straightforward: the word(s) which Christ spoke — His teaching. The other is a bit more complicated but no less probable: the "word" is the prevalent Greek concept "logos", which referred to the divine essence imminent in the universe and present in the individual soul. Paul uses this concept but gives it teeth, as it were; he personalizes it and calls it, "the Logos of Christ" or "the Logos, which is Christ" (See John 1:1). But both interpretations apply. Both refer to the "substance" of Christian faith: Jesus Christ and Him crucified; and Christ is to "dwell in you richly..." The question is "How"?

        Here's how: "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs..." Two things stand out here. One is the assumption of Paul that everyone in the church has a responsibility for the spiritual welfare of his brother and sister in Christ (see 1 Cor. 12:7). The other is a remarkable comment on the richness and depth of early Christian music. Their music was substantial — it was full of lyrical theology and literally taught the people.

        This singing is to be done "with grace in your hearts". It is to be characterized by beauty — a beauty which accompanies all things that are genuinely done "unto the Lord".

        A question we should ask whenever assessing the relative value of Christian teaching and music is not, "Do I like the style?" Your personal taste is not the issue. The question is: "Is Christ the substance of this teaching or music, and is it directed to the Lord?" If the answer is "Yes," then sing with all your heart.

        We pray our key verse. Help us to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.