Ephesians 5:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Complete Jewish Bible:

Don’t get drunk with wine, because it makes you lose control. Instead, keep on being filled with the Spirit —

Berean Standard Bible:

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

American Standard Version:

And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} be^{G3182} not^{G3361} drunk^{G3182} with wine^{G3631}, wherein^{{G1722}{G3739}} is^{G2076} excess^{G810}; but^{G235} be filled^{G4137} with^{G1722} the Spirit^{G4151};

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Ephesians 5:18

Ephesians 5:18 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus. This verse is part of a larger section where Paul discusses Christian behavior and ethics. The historical context of the time was one where the Ephesian culture, like many in the ancient world, included social gatherings where wine was consumed, potentially leading to drunkenness and the loss of self-control, which was frowned upon in the Christian community.

In this verse, Paul contrasts the negative effects of alcoholic intoxication with the positive state of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The theme here is a contrast between self-indulgence and spiritual fulfillment. Paul advises believers not to succumb to the excesses of alcohol, which can impair judgment and lead to sinful behavior. Instead, he encourages them to seek an alternative "intoxication"—one that comes from the Holy Spirit. This spiritual fullness is characterized by joy, gratitude, worship, and a life that reflects the values and character of Christ.

The call to be filled with the Spirit is an invitation to live under divine influence, allowing God's presence to permeate every aspect of one's life. This filling of the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous process, involving submission to God and alignment with His will. It results in a transformed life that exhibits the "fruit of the Spirit," such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities stand in stark contrast to the unruliness and lack of discipline associated with drunkenness, highlighting the beneficial and socially constructive impact of a Spirit-led life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3182
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μεθύσκω
   Transliteration: methýskō
   Pronunciation: meth-oos'-ko
   Description: a prolonged (transitive) form of μεθύω; to intoxicate:--be drunk(-en).
   
3. Strong's Number: G3361
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μή
   Transliteration: mḗ
   Pronunciation: may
   Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3631
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οἶνος
   Transliteration: oînos
   Pronunciation: oy'-nos
   Description: a primary word (or perhaps of Hebrew origin (יַיִן)); "wine" (literally or figuratively):--wine.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2076
   There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐστί
   Transliteration: estí
   Pronunciation: es-tee'
   Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
   
8. Strong's Number: G810
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀσωτία
   Transliteration: asōtía
   Pronunciation: as-o-tee'-ah
   Description: from a compound of Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of σώζω; properly, unsavedness, i.e. (by implication) profligacy:--excess, riot.
   
9. Strong's Number: G235
   There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀλλά
   Transliteration: allá
   Pronunciation: al-lah'
   Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4137
    There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πληρόω
    Transliteration: plēróō
    Pronunciation: play-ro'-o
    Description: from πλήρης; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:--accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4151
    There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πνεῦμα
    Transliteration: pneûma
    Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
    Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.