As the book of Ephesians approaches its conclusion, the Apostle Paul’s ethical instructions to the early church come into sharper focus. In Ephesians 5:18–21, Paul underscores the importance of living a life that mirrors the believer’s identity in Christ. In the second half of his letter, Paul urges believers to live in a way that reflects their union with Christ. This passage, in particular, provides profound insight into what it means to be “filled with the Spirit.”
As Paul shifts from theological truths to practical living, he emphasizes that our behavior flows directly from our identity in Christ. Paul’s instructions following his prayer in 3:14–21 are not merely a list of dos and don’ts; they are grounded in the reality of who we are in Christ. He encourages believers to live out their true identity, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This message is as relevant today as it was in the first century, calling us to examine how the Spirit’s presence in our lives transforms us and our relationships.
At the heart of the New Covenant is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to maintain a right relationship with God and right relationships within the Christian community.
At the heart of the New Covenant is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to maintain a right relationship with God and right relationships within the Christian community. Being filled with the Spirit is not merely a suggestion but a divine imperative and a glorious invitation that shapes the entirety of our Christian experience.
1. The Context
The book of Ephesians places significant emphasis on both theological foundation and practical application. The first three chapters of Ephesians focus on the believer’s identity in Christ and the unity of the Church. In those chapters, Paul lays a strong theological foundation, emphasizing God’s work in choosing, redeeming, and uniting us in Christ.
Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14–21 serves as a bridge between these two sections. He prays for believers to be strengthened with power through the Spirit, to grasp the full dimensions of Christ’s love, to allow the Spirit to make himself at home, and to be filled with the fullness of God. This prayer not only summarizes the key truths of the first half of Ephesians but also prepares us for the call to live out our faith in the remaining chapters.
In chapters 4–6, Paul shifts to practical application, urging believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This includes walking in Christlikeness (4:1–2), maintaining unity (4:3–13a), growing in maturity (4:13b–16), living in holiness (4:17–24), and imitating God (5:1–17). The command to be filled with the Spirit is deeply connected to the entire theme of Ephesians, emphasizing that the Spirit’s fullness is essential for living out our new identity in Christ.
2. The Contrast (Ephesians 5:18a)
Paul contrasts two very different ways of living: being drunk with wine and being filled with the Spirit. Drunkenness, a prevalent issue in the first century, symbolizes a life out of control, driven by the flesh rather than the Spirit. In some Graeco-Roman religions, drunkenness was even viewed as a means to experience union with the gods, making Paul’s warning particularly pertinent for the Ephesian believers. One commentator suggested that Paul’s warning addressed the possibility that some Ephesians might have been seeking a deeper experience with God through cultic inebriation. Regardless, Paul condemns drunkenness as a senseless waste.
Instead of being controlled by alcohol, which leads to vice, believers are called to be filled with the Spirit, which leads to virtue.
Drunkenness leads to moral recklessness, loss of discernment, and a waste of life. It is the height of folly, representing a life without God. Paul’s contrast is clear: instead of being controlled by alcohol, which leads to vice, believers are called to be filled with the Spirit, which leads to virtue. Instead of being controlled by the spirits, be controlled by the Spirit.
3. The Command (Ephesians 5:18b)
So, what does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Isn’t the Holy Spirit already present in believers, as Paul mentioned earlier in 1:13 and 3:17? Indeed, the Spirit seals and indwells every believer, as Paul notes in 1:13 and 3:17. But now, Paul calls for a continual, ongoing filling—a life lived under the Spirit’s influence. Paul is calling the Ephsians to continue to live under the influence and power of the Spirit who has already sealed them and made His home in their hearts.
The Greek text offers valuable insights into this command. It is a plural command, directed to the entire church, signifying that all believers, not just a select few, are to be filled with the Spirit. Additionally, it is a passive command, meaning that believers are to receive the Spirit’s filling—our role is to be open and receptive to God’s work in our lives. As John Stott aptly notes, “We do not fill ourselves; it is God who must fill us.” And it is a present tense command, signifying that this filling is not a one-time event but a continuous, ongoing process.
Being filled with the Spirit means yielding control to God and allowing the Spirit to direct and empower our actions.
Being filled with the Spirit means yielding control to God and allowing the Spirit to direct and empower our actions. This stands in sharp contrast to the temporary escape offered by intoxication. While drunkenness leads to reckless behavior and impaired judgment, being filled with the Spirit results in a life marked by the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Just as driving under the influence is known as a “DUI,” living under the influence of the Spirit can be thought of as “LUI.” This concept isn’t about receiving more of the Spirit but rather about fully surrendering to His control and influence, allowing His presence to empower and shape our identity. This is why a flood of practical commands follows this directive—commands that would be nearly impossible to follow without the fullness of the Spirit! Although we cannot control the movement of the Spirit, human responsibility plays a role. Spiritual fullness is discovered on the path of obedience. Remember Jesus’ words in Luke 11:13: He gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
4. The Characteristics of a Spirit-Filled Life (Ephesians 5:19–21)
Paul describes specific behaviors that characterize a Spirit-filled life, especially in the contexts of corporate worship and relationships within the Christian community. These behaviors contrast sharply with the counterfeit joy of drunkenness, emphasizing the genuine joy and unity that come from living in the Spirit.
Corporate, Spirit-Filled Worship (Ephesians 5:19)
Paul envisions a community of believers engaging in worship together, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This worship is not just an individual experience but a collective one, where believers encourage and edify one another through their shared praise. The focus of this worship is Christ, and it is an expression of the joy and gratitude that the Spirit brings into our lives.
Increased Thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:20)
A Spirit-filled life is marked by a continuous attitude of thanksgiving. Paul repeatedly emphasizes the importance of giving thanks in his letters, viewing it as a fundamental aspect of Christian living. True gratitude, stemming from an understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for us, transforms our perspective and helps us find reasons to be grateful in every situation.
Mutual Submission (Ephesians 5:21)
Being filled with the Spirit naturally leads to transformed attitudes that affect our relationships. Paul calls believers to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, promoting unity and reflecting His selfless love, which also sets the tone for the next section of Scripture (5:22–24). This mutual submission is not about enforcing a rigid hierarchy but about willing, humble service that strengthens the body of Christ.
Conclusion
As we reflect on Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:18–21, we are reminded that being filled with the Spirit is not an optional part of Christian living; it is essential. It transforms our worship, our relationships, and our entire approach to life. In a world that often seeks fulfillment in temporary pleasures, Paul calls us to a higher standard—to be continually filled with the Spirit, allowing His presence to guide and empower us.
May we, as a community of believers, seek to be filled with the Spirit, embracing the joy, gratitude, and unity that come from living under His influence.
