Ephesians 5: 15-21 Exegetical Paper
“Wise and Spirit-Filled Living”
An Exegetical Paper on
Ephesians 5:15-21
By
Demetris McAdoo
Interpreting the Bible
Doug Nykolaishen
Spring 2014
Ephesians 5:15-21: Paul’s original thought was that we should walk carefully and wisely, brimming with the Holy Spirit, and shouldn’t be drunken in wine.
Paul issues a warning to his readers (5:15-16)
Paul tells his readers to live carefully and wisely (v. 15)
Make the most out of every opportunity (v. 16)
Paul advises his readers not to be foolish (5:17-18)
Paul tells his readers to not be foolish (v. 17)
Paul prohibits getting drunk on wine (v. 18)
Paul commands us to be filled with the Spirit instead (v. 18)
Paul expresses his readers to meet together and praise God (5:19-21) …show more content…
We see it with the two verbs: being drunk with wine which leads to debauchery, but being filled with the Spirit, which leads to joy in fellowship and obedience to the commandments of the Lord’s will (Hoehner, 702). Just like those who become drunk with wine, those who are filled with the Spirit can no longer control their actions. Those who have the spirit give up their own will to the Lord. Those who walk and are filled with the Spirit, then the Spirit of God is directed and empowers the believer to live their life in a way that is pleasing to God and also to his will. “Believers are commanded to be filled by the Spirit so that they will understand the will of the Lord and allow God’s control of their lives, thus providing enablement to make the most of every opportunity rather than succumbing to the desires of the flesh” (Hoehner, 705). Believers should not only walk wisely, but be filled with the Spirit. All of these are very beneficial to the believers and are pleasing to …show more content…
The term “reverence” has been use many different ways throughout the Bible. It has the general meaning of fear, terror, or respect. It most commonly used meaning is fear or awe of God or people, or respect for God or people. But it is the context the really determines what the meaning of the word is in that particular verse. Since the word “reverence” (in verse 21) is used in the context of Christ’s love, then it is best to view its meaning as fear. Having “fear” in Christ motivates the believers to be willing to submit their selves to one another within the body. “The practice of mutual submission to one another in the fear of Christ must not be relegated merely to church service, but rather it is ti be applied in daily life whenever and wherever they meet” (Hoehner, 719.) This can not only be done not only at the church, but at the workplace, at home, or at a social gathering were two or more believers are gathered together (Hoehner, 719). These verse not only serves as a hinge verse to the entire following section, but describes the concluding characterization of believers being filled with the Holy Spirit beginning in
An Exegetical Paper on
Ephesians 5:15-21
By
Demetris McAdoo
Interpreting the Bible
Doug Nykolaishen
Spring 2014
Ephesians 5:15-21: Paul’s original thought was that we should walk carefully and wisely, brimming with the Holy Spirit, and shouldn’t be drunken in wine.
Paul issues a warning to his readers (5:15-16)
Paul tells his readers to live carefully and wisely (v. 15)
Make the most out of every opportunity (v. 16)
Paul advises his readers not to be foolish (5:17-18)
Paul tells his readers to not be foolish (v. 17)
Paul prohibits getting drunk on wine (v. 18)
Paul commands us to be filled with the Spirit instead (v. 18)
Paul expresses his readers to meet together and praise God (5:19-21) …show more content…
We see it with the two verbs: being drunk with wine which leads to debauchery, but being filled with the Spirit, which leads to joy in fellowship and obedience to the commandments of the Lord’s will (Hoehner, 702). Just like those who become drunk with wine, those who are filled with the Spirit can no longer control their actions. Those who have the spirit give up their own will to the Lord. Those who walk and are filled with the Spirit, then the Spirit of God is directed and empowers the believer to live their life in a way that is pleasing to God and also to his will. “Believers are commanded to be filled by the Spirit so that they will understand the will of the Lord and allow God’s control of their lives, thus providing enablement to make the most of every opportunity rather than succumbing to the desires of the flesh” (Hoehner, 705). Believers should not only walk wisely, but be filled with the Spirit. All of these are very beneficial to the believers and are pleasing to …show more content…
The term “reverence” has been use many different ways throughout the Bible. It has the general meaning of fear, terror, or respect. It most commonly used meaning is fear or awe of God or people, or respect for God or people. But it is the context the really determines what the meaning of the word is in that particular verse. Since the word “reverence” (in verse 21) is used in the context of Christ’s love, then it is best to view its meaning as fear. Having “fear” in Christ motivates the believers to be willing to submit their selves to one another within the body. “The practice of mutual submission to one another in the fear of Christ must not be relegated merely to church service, but rather it is ti be applied in daily life whenever and wherever they meet” (Hoehner, 719.) This can not only be done not only at the church, but at the workplace, at home, or at a social gathering were two or more believers are gathered together (Hoehner, 719). These verse not only serves as a hinge verse to the entire following section, but describes the concluding characterization of believers being filled with the Holy Spirit beginning in