The meaning of Ephesians 5:18: "...be filled with the Spirit..."

What Paul says in Eph. 5:18 "...be filled with the Spirit..." is a command. If we are truly a Christian we must obey it. But, it is possible to disobey this command too. The question is, "How do we obey this?" Verses 19-21 are built around five participles (“speaking”, “singing”, “making music”, “giving thanks” and “submitting”) following the imperative verb "be filled" (in Greek it's plerousthe) in verse 18. Each participle has a function describing how it is used in the sentence. The question that we need to ask is how are these participles related to the verb plerousthe of verse 18? First, they could be imperatival and function simply as imperatives in their own phrases. This is possible because many translations reflect this interpretation. Second, they could be adverbial under which there are numerous sub-types:

• instrumental/modal—“be filled by speaking...”
• telic/purposive/result—“be filled in order to or and so speak...”
• or circumstantial/concomitant—“as you are filled also speak...”
• or a combination of sub-types

If the participles are taken as instrumental/modal then Paul has in fact told us how to be filled with the Spirit. This, however, does not seem likely because it is hard to see how an imperative verb could be followed by five modal participles (five ways of doing something). On the other hand, the imperatival force is not lost if the participles are taken as concomitant (attendant circumstances).

I found no author who really discusses this issue. In a private discussion with Dr. M. J. Harris, he offers the suggestion that the participles function as both telic and concomitant. He suggests that there exists aspects of each: the actions described by the participles are both simultaneous (not subsequent) to and the results of being filled. If this is indeed the case then Paul is offering some solid objective evidences for the fullness of the Spirit. If they have the function of "by" or "through" these participles show us "how" to be filled with the Spirit. But, this has the wrong idea of "be filled with the Spirit". The Spirit here means the "Holy Spirit". The Holy Spirit is a person. The person is God himself. I don't know how you can be filled with the person of the Holy Spirit by "...addressing one another...", "...singing and making melody...", "...giving thanks..." and "...submitting to one another...". Thus, the function of the participles mean "simultaneous to and as the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit".

But the function of these participles is not modal ("by" or "through") so, once again, how do you be filled with the Spirit? The first part of verse 18 has to go with the second part of the verse--"...do not get drunk with wine...". It is the filling of wine contrasted to the filling of the Spirit. Do not be filled with wine but by the Holy Spirit. If we remember that the Holy Spirit is a person "being filled" means to let the person of the Holy Spirit repeatedly and constantly infiltrate you with intangible qualities and be overly-supplied by him. "...addressing one another...", "...singing and making melody...", "...giving thanks..." and "...submitting to one another..." inherently comes simultaneous to and as the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

This is important because "how to be filled with the Spirit" is defined. And that will be part of my book, Be Holy.

My first entry!

Greetings! This is my very first blog entry. I would like this blog to contain parts of my book, Be Holy, and my thoughts on things. And, of course, may God be the glory forever!