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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Ephesians 5:15 - 5:21
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eph_5:15-21
15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Eph_5:15 "be careful how you walk" This is a present active indicative, not another present active imperative. It is a statement of fact, not a command. "Walk" is a biblical metaphor for lifestyle (cf. Eph_4:1; Eph_4:17; Eph_5:2).
▣ "not as unwise men, but as wise" Wisdom is revealed in godly living (cf. Col_4:5), not in the false teachers' knowledge or godless freedom.
Eph_5:16 "making the most of your time" This is a Present middle participle. It is a marketing term which meant "to buy out something completely" at a good time or price. Believers are to take advantage of every spiritual opportunity (cf. Col_4:2-6; 1Pe_3:15) because we know that the night is coming when no one can work. There is an open window in time for the gospel. We must seize the moment!.
Eph_5:17 "do not be foolish" This is a present middle (deponent) imperative with the negative particle which usually means to stop an act in process. They were being foolish.
▣ "the will of the Lord" There is no article with "will." Therefore, this is a will of God. The will of God is that we trust in Christ (cf. Joh_6:29; Joh_6:40), then there are several "wills" for believers. See Special Topic: The Will of God at Eph_1:9.
Eph_5:18 "do not get drunk" This is a present passive imperative with the negative particle which usually means to stop an act in process (cf. Pro_23:30-31). Alcohol and drugs are often used to promote religious experiences. They are also an example of something that controls and characterizes one's life but must be intentionally repeated for effect (addiction). Just as alcohol must be repeated for effect, so too, "the filling" of the Spirit is repeated for effect. As believers volitionally receive Christ for salvation, they must volitionally and repeatedly (present passive) open themselves to the Spirit's ongoing (daily) guidance and control.
▣ "but be filled with the Spirit" This is a present passive imperative meaning "you must continue to be filled with the Spirit" or "ever be filled with the Spirit." This is a command, not an option! It is the normal state for all believers, not the exception. This phrase implies that believers are to be available, sensitive, and obedient to the Spirit's forming of Christ in their daily lives (cf. Rom_8:28-29; Gal_4:19; Eph_1:4; Eph_2:10; Eph_4:13; Col_1:28). Believers cannot fill themselves, but must allow the Spirit to have freedom and influence. Human performance is not the key to effective living but the Spirit (cf. Gal_3:1-3). However, believers must volitionally open themselves to the Spirit's leadership and control on a recurrent basis.
The term "filled" is used often in the NT for that which motivates and characterizes one's life. Believers have a choice in what fills their lives. In Acts being "filled" with the Spirit is associated with evangelism. Peter was "filled" several times in Act_2:4; Act_4:8; Act_4:31. Filling was an ongoing need and experience.
The structural parallel (Colossians & Ephesians are based on almost the same outline) in Col_3:16 changed the "ever be filled with the Spirit" to "let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." They both refer to daily intentional submission to the Spirit's producing Christlikeness, particularly as it relates to dealing with people. Jesus died for people. People are priority; people are eternal.
Eph_5:19 "speaking. . .singing. . .making melody" These are the first three of four present active participles which describe the Spirit-filled life. The first three have to do with singing or quoting Psalms. The Spirit has put a song in the hearts of believers for God (cf. Col_3:16). Praises to God break forth!
This verse is helpful in dealing with the different musical preferences in the church. Notice the variety of musical categories named. Music in worship is a matter of personal taste, not one correct form versus an improper form. It is the attitude of the heart, not the ear. The theology expressed is a concern, but the form of the music is always secondary. Dare we disrupt the church of God over personal preferences! Worship is a matter of the heart, not the beat! Please read Rom_14:1 to Rom_15:13 again and again.
▣ "heart" See Special Topic at Col_2:2.
Eph_5:20 "always giving thanks" This is the fourth present active participle. Thanksgiving is another evidence of the Spirit-filled life (cf. Eph_5:4; Php_4:6; 1Th_5:18). It is the biblical worldview by which believers can give thanks in "all things" (cf. Rom_8:29-30). The Spirit-filled believers know that God is for them and that circumstances are not the source of joy and peace. A book that has been so helpful to my life in this area is Hannah Whithall Smith's The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life! See Special Topic: Paul's Praise, Prayer, and Thanksgiving at Eph_3:20.
Eph_5:21
NASB, NRSV "be subject"
NKJV "submitting"
TEV "submit yourselves"
NJB "give way"
This is a present middle or passive participle (see Eph_5:22). It forms a transition from Eph_5:1-20 to Eph_5:22-31 and the context continues through Eph_6:9. These five participles define what it means to be Spirit-filled. The parallel passage in Col_3:16 shows that it refers to daily Christlikeness.
In our day "submission" is a negative, sexist term. Originally it was a military term which related to obedience based on the chain of command. But in the NT it is often used of Jesus' attitude toward His earthly parents (Luk_2:51) and His heavenly Father (1Co_15:28). Paul was fond of this term and used it 23 times. Eph_5:21 is a universal spiritual principle of mutual submission between believers connected to the Spirit-filled life. Submission goes against our cultural, western, individual focused mind-set. Selfishness and dominance are so culturally ingrained, but biblically inappropriate (cf. Rom_12:10; Gal_5:13; Php_2:3; 1Jn_4:11)!
This verse emphasizes reciprocal submission on the part of all believers. This was not directed toward one group. It needs to be reaffirmed that this context (Eph_5:22-31) deals with the domestic relationship between Christian husbands and Christian wives, not men and women in general. Women are not spiritually inferior in any sense (cf. Act_2:16-21; Gal_3:28).
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Eph_5:21 "to one another " Mutual submission is a universal principle which relates to all believers, but which can only be accomplished through yieldedness to the Spirit (i.e., death to the self-life). It is an evidence of the reversal of the Fall.
NASB, NKJV "in the fear of Christ"
NRSV "out of reverence for Christ"
TEV "because of your reverence for Christ"
NJB "in obedience to Christ"
"Fear" is an OT concept of reverential awe. The holiness and uniqueness of YHWH, or even the presence of the spiritual realm (angels), causes a strong reaction in fallen humanity!
Believers' interpersonal relationships are affected by their faith commitment to Christ. Respect for Him gives respect to all humans for whom He gave His life (cf. Rom_14:1; Rom_15:13). Believers show their love for Christ by how they love others (cf. 1Jn_4:20).