BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 5:18–21 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

I. THE CONTEXT

Ephesians 5:15–17 (ESV) — 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15–17 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

II. THE COMMAND

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) — 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Ephesians 5:18 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

But what exactly does it mean to be “filled with the Spirit”? There are two main interpretations: (1) the Holy Spirit is what believers are filled with (i.e., the content; “withthe Spirit”) or (2) the Holy Spirit is the one who fills believers (i.e., the means; “by the Spirit”). Although a choice between the two options is not easy, the latter is preferable due to the parallel previous statement, which communicates means (“drunk by means ofwine”). While the Spirit is the means by which believers are filled, the content of their filling is the fullness of the triune God (3:19; 4:13).[1]

Ephesians 3:19 (ESV) — 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:19 ESV

19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 4:13 (ESV) — 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Ephesians 4:13 ESV

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

III. THE CONSEQUENCE

Ephesians 5:19–21 (ESV) —19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:19–21 ESV

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Addressing One Another.

Singing to the Lord.

Giving Thanks to God the Father.

Submitting to One Another

Although some interpret this verse as referring to mutual submission in all relationships, Paul’s use here is probably more specific, referring to the various social relationships that follow: wives submitting to their husbands; children submitting to their parents; and slaves submitting to their masters. The verb “submit” (hypotassō) regularly describes submission to someone in authority. [2]

[1]Merkle, B. L. (2018). Ephesians. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Ephesians–Philemon: Vol. XI(p. 96). Crossway. [2]Merkle, B. L. (2018). Ephesians. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Ephesians–Philemon: Vol. XI(p. 96). Crossway.