Context No. 3038 of 4322 · Ephesians
Context · Reflection
Ephesians 5:15-21: in context
15Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, 16redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore, don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
Paul urges care in how we live: watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless excess, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns, singing and giving thanks, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Paul contrasts two ways of living, careless and wise, and two ways of being filled. Instead of being filled and controlled by wine, which ends in dissipation, be filled with the Spirit. And notice what Spirit-filling looks like here: not private ecstasy but shared life, singing together, constant thanksgiving, humble deference to one another. The Spirit-filled life overflows into worship enjoyed with others, gratitude in all things, and mutual submission. Making the most of the time in evil days means being filled with the right thing, and letting it spill over into song, thanks, and service.
Am I seeking to be filled with the Spirit, and does it show in gratitude, shared worship, and humble submission to others?
Sources
- Ephesians 5:18: "Don't be drunken with wine... but be filled with the Spirit."
- Ephesians 5:20: "Giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father."
- Ephesians 5:16: "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."