Lesson  12 May 12, 2002

Interpretations of Ephesians 5:18

 

There is an interpretive problem with Ephesians 5:18, in that there are at least three possible translations of the Greek expression plhrou/sqe evn pneu,mati, (plerousthe en pneumati,) translated as "be filled with the Spirit."

 

The translation one chooses depends upon the meaning one gives to the preposition en, en.

#1   "with" or "by means of" denoting means or instrumentality;

#2   it can be translated "in" denoting sphere, or

#3   it can be translated "by" denoting agency.

 

#1  "BE FILLED WITH (BY MEANS OF) THE SPIRIT"

 

In this first translation, en is translated "by means of" or simply   "with."

 

The Non-charismatic View:

 

 

In studying this particular view, certain problems of an exegetical and theological nature immediately arise:

 (1)  The dative (instrumental) case is used to denote the impersonal instrument or means by which something is done; and it is not used to denote the content of the filling. [Dana & Mantey pp. 83-91]

 

 

 

So when the context uses the verb "to fill," plhrow (pleroo), with     various cases it does so with these meanings;

1.  With the genitive it refers to the material that fills, i.e., the content of the filling is the Spirit.         ex.: Acts 2:28;

 

2.  With the accusative it refers to the thing filled;  Acts 5:28  acc. [what is filled]  and gen. [with what, teaching]

 

3.  With the dative it refers to the agent that effects the filling,   i.e., be filled by the Spirit.         [Eph. 5:18];  Rom 5:13  all three used; 

 

 

 

(2)   Nowhere does Scripture specifically equate the filling of the Holy Spirit with the idea of control.

 

 

It would appear from the context that the primary contrast Paul was making was not so much between the idea of being drunk and being filled as it was between the actions accompanying these phenomena.

 

 

It is highly probable that what Paul has in mind here is a reference to the orgies and rites practiced by the pagan mystery religions in Ephesus of Paul's day.

 

 

To take the idea of "control" as the primary thrust of the passage, I believe, is to ignore the entire context.

 

 

 

What is the point with drunkenness? 

Observations on alcohol and its influence:

 1.  Alcohol in control of the body is a depressant and its symptoms are staggered gait, blurred or double vision, impaired reflexes, reduced mental functions, increased pulse rate, a decrease in blood pressure, dilated pupils, flushed skin, drowsiness and stupor.

 

 2.  The influence of alcohol on the  body is analogous spiritually to the OSN in rulership of the life where it dominates the thoughts, choices and actions etc.;  all the while the ministry of the Spirit in the life of the believer is suppressed and distorted. 

 

 3.  Under intoxication, the alcohol so saturates the cells of the body that the coordination of their function is totally interrupted; this is analogous to the contamination of every cell of the body by the OSN,  so that the natural function as created by God in the garden is now totally distorted interrupted.

 

4.  The antithetical option open to the Believer is to be under the empowerment of God the Holy Spirit who also indwells the body of each believer.