Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 52

Paul Urges the Ephesian Believers to Live Wisely Part 2

Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. KJV

Paul warns the newly redeemed Ephesian Gentiles of drunkenness because the god/demon Bacchus was worshiped at that time in that part of the world. Bacchus was thought to be the god of wine. Bacchus was considered to be the Roman god of wine and intoxication, equated with the Greek god Dionysus. His festival was celebrated on March 16 and 17. The Bacchanalia, orgies in honor of Dionysus, were introduced in Rome around 200 BCE. These infamous celebrations, notorious for their sexual and criminal character, got so out of hand that they were forbidden by the Roman Senate in 186 BCE. Bacchus is also identified with the old Italian god Liber. The Apostle Paul being a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29) was very aware of these festivals and the abundant consumption of alcohol that took place during them as well as during all times year round wanted to remind these new born babes “in Christ” that now they are not to make wine their means of joy by consuming it in excess. This little English word excess Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word asotia which is used as a negative particle meaning properly unsavedness implying debauched living or riotous living as our Lord Jesus described with these words in the parable of the prodigal son, “And He said, ‘A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.’” (Luke 15:11-13).

Therefore, Paul acutely aware of the past behavior of many of these Ephesians and the present temptations that continue all around them since their conversion to Christ urges them to allow God the Holy Spirit’s fruit to replace the temporal joy that comes from being drunk with wine, but instead Paul wanted them to be intoxicated with the Power of the Holy Spirit which is far better than any wine could make them feel. Paul wants them and us today to let the Holy Spirit satisfy where before Christ the only joy that came was temporary from the over indulgence in drinking wine and other alcohol. Paul is also here making a comparison to go along with his contrast of the two, for just as a man or woman must make a choice to drink wine, so he or she must make a choice to yield to the Power of the Holy Spirit and just as the wine/alcohol takes over and leads the man or woman to do and say the things done or said (which are often when indulged in excess not good things), so does the yielding to the Power of the Holy Spirit lead to them doing and saying things that are always good for the man or woman and likewise for everyone around them as Paul described the results to the Galatian believers with these words, “But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul’s command to these Ephesian believers and to us today is that we would be continually, constantly, and consistently filled to satisfaction with the fruit of the Spirit and this is why he warned them/us from grieving Him by our sin, disobedience, and rebellion, for when we do so (and we all do) then we block, or block off, or barricade Him out of our hearts or inner man/inner woman and He will not fill us to satisfaction, then we seek satisfaction from the world and the flesh and that brings ruin into our lives and wreaks havoc on all around us. Remember when a man or woman is filled with the intoxicating effects of wine/alcohol in excess they often times become belligerent, easily angered and then eager to fight filled with courage from the effects of the alcohol, but we know that this had led many into early graves. However, when a man or woman is filled with the Holy Spirit they too are filled with courage and strength not to do others physical harm, but to stand up for our Lord Jesus Christ against any evil opposition in order to do men and women good by declaring to them the Love of God and the Grace of God found in the Gospel, this was the effect upon the Apostle Peter who had coward before a young girl, but then filled with the Spirit stood before thousands preaching the Gospel and saw 3,000 souls converted to Christ on that one occasion Acts Chapter 2. Note: “Let us remember that Paul never here or in any of his letters condemns wine, but it is drunkenness from over consumption of wine that Paul commands against for we must remember these words he wrote to Brother Timothy when he said, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23).”

Paul declares the result of being filled with the Spirit will be “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Ephesians 5:19). Here we find Paul exhorting what many people deem to be odd or weird behavior and that is to talk to one’s self and it is what Paul declares to be the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The result Paul is wanting to get across here is that when filled with the Holy Spirit each of us will magnify our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ constantly (Acts 16:25) and in any circumstance without even thinking of how we look or appear to others, but we will be filled with love for our Lord Jesus and our hearts will be bursting to praise Him in internal singing and external singing with other brothers and sisters in Christ as the Psalmist writes and exhorts with these words, “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” (Psalm 47:6). The other immediate result of being filled with the Holy Spirit will be the “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Ephesians 5:20). The English phrase “giving thanks” is translated by one Greek word eucharisteo meaning to be grateful, that is, (actually) to express gratitude towards someone and in this case our Heavenly Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. A thankful heart is a happy heart in contrast to an ungrateful heart being a bitter heart. Since we have received so great a salvation how could we be anything but always thankful and filled with gratitude that such sinful wretches as we are would be forgiven all our sins by a Pure, Clean, and Holy God when we do not deserve it. The Gospel is what we always should give God thanks for and the Son of God who brought it to us here on His earth as Paul wrote in this manner to the Colossian believers, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossian 3:14-17).

Paul then declares that being controlled by God the Holy Spirit should cause each one of us the desire of “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:21). The English phrase “submitting yourselves” is translated by one Greek word hupotasso meaning to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto. In the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ lies no kings or queens but we are all subjects to one King Christ and consequently we should be subject to Him by likewise being under subjection or under the control of one another so as not to hurt one another in any manner as our Lord Jesus declared Himself with these words, “But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’” (Mark 10:42-45). How must we submit to one another except we submit to the Word of God specifically in the New Testament which is our direction for living as sojourners, pilgrims, and aliens during our time on the earth as the Apostle Peter declared with these words written in the New Testament, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:5-7). In doing this, we will show that we revere God the Father, His children, and His Word.

“He reminds them that ‘God is not the author of confusion.’ His Spirit is a Spirit of seemliness and reverence. ‘In fear of Christ,’ the unseen witness and president of its assemblies, the Church will comport herself with the decorum that befits His bride. The spirits of the prophets will be subject to the prophets. The voices of the singers and the hands of them that play upon the strings of the harp or the keys of the organ, will keep tune with the worship of Christ’s congregation. Each must consider that it is his part to serve and not rule in the service of God’s house. In our common work and worship, in all the offices of life this is the Christian law. No man within Christ’s Church, however commanding his powers, may set himself above the duty of submitting his judgment and will to that of his fellows. In mutual subjection lies our freedom, with our strength and peace.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…