Eph 5:18-20 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
Eph 5:18-20 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
Paul is admonishing Christians here not to be caught up in drunkenness, which results in a dissipated lifestyle, not salvation. Scriptures condemn all drunkenness (CP Pr 23:20-21, 29-35; 3:4-5; Isa 5:11-12; 28:7-8; Ro 13:12-14; 1Cor 5:11, 6:9-10; Ga 5:19, 21).
Paul's injunction to be filled with the spirit in the Greek construction of Eph 5:18, means to be in a continuous process or state of being filled with the spirit, which finds expression in Christians communing with each other in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (CP Ac 16:25; Jas 5:13 with Php 4:4).
Psalms are scriptural songs, hymns can be divinely or humanly inspired songs, and spiritual songs are impromptu songs sung under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The extent to which we are continuously being filled by the Holy Spirit is determined solely by our yieldedness to Him.
Another way in which the spirit-filled life is manifested is in the giving of thanks unto God for all things.
This does not mean that we are to thank Him for evil things as well as good things. Sufferings are not in view here, only blessings.
Therefore it means that the spirit-filled life is also manifested in giving thanks always unto God for His blessings, in Jesus' name (CP Col 3:16-17).
It is only through Christ that we receive God's blessings (CP Eph 1:3).