Tag: methusko

Ephesians 5:18 – Spirit Filled Living

Posted on by Will

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit,

Truth to Learn

Be filled with the Spirit, not with yourself.

 

Behind the Words

“Drunk” is translated from the Greek verb methuskō, which is derived from methu (or methy), a fermented, alcoholic wine. There is another Greek word used to describe the effect of alcohol. It is oinōsis (being under the influence of wine). Methuskō represents a state of intoxication greater than oinōsis.

Oinos is the Greek word translated “wine.” It is a generic term for wine. The same word refers to “new wine,” also called “the fruit of the vine,” (which we would call grape juice) as well as fermented wine containing alcohol.

The word “excess” is translated from asōtia, which is composed of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of the verb sōdzō, meaning “to save.” Thus, asōtia literally means “unsavedness,” that is, “acting unsafe” or “acting unsaved.” This word is used to describe someone who freely indulges himself in his own appetites and lusts.

“Be filled” is from the Greek verb plēroō, which means “to fill up until no more can be added.”

 

Meaning Explained

Here is another example of Pauline style teaching (don’t do one thing, do something else instead). He says, “Instead of filling yourself up with wine, causing yourself to become drunk, be completely filled-up with the Spirit.”

There are two commands given in this verse: “don’t get drunk” and “be Spirit filled.” However, there is some ambiguity in the grammatical structure of this verse. The reason for this ambiguity is the fact that the verb form that indicates passive voice, imperative mood (allow someone or something to do something to you) is identical to that which indicates middle voice, imperative mood (do something to yourself). The only way to determine which is correct is by context. I believe the proper interpretation is “don’t cause yourself to become drunk with wine; allow yourself to be filled with (or by) the Spirit.”

Paul’s reason for not getting drunk is that drunkenness leads to “unsavedness.” He is not saying that when you get drunk you lose your salvation. What he is saying is that when you get drunk, you act unsaved (and unsafe). We’ve all seen people who are drunk, and we all know what happens when someone who is drunk gets behind the wheel of a car. Remember in verse fifteen Paul said not to walk as unwise people, but as wise people. And in verse eleven he said to have no close fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Wise people don’t get drunk, and drunkenness doesn’t produce spiritual fruit.

Instead of being drunken and letting alcohol control our actions, we need to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and we need to let the Spirit control our actions.

 

Application

Anything that distracts us from submissive fellowship with God leaves less room for the Holy Spirit. It could be alcohol, drugs, lying, stealing, cheating, selfishness, anger, or many other things. These are all indications of being filled with self. But, when we submit ourselves to God and focus on the good of others, God’s Spirit will fill us. What are you filled with?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:7 – Darkness or Light?

Posted on by Will

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

Truth to Learn

Unbelievers like the spiritual darkness they live in.

Behind the Words

The words “those who sleep” are from the verb katheudō, which we saw in yesterday’s verse. This form of the verb is a present active participle, which indicates action which is current and ongoing. Literally, we could render this as “those who are sleeping.”

“Those who get drunk” is translated from methuskō. This word is based on methē , which refers to “wine which has fermented so that it contains alcohol,” and by implication it refers to any intoxicating drink. Methuskō, therefore, refers to “drinking an alcoholic drink,” and by extension “getting intoxicated.” It is expressed here as a present passive participle, so literally it means “those who are continually being made intoxicated.”

The words “are drunk” is a different form of the root methē. It is methuō, which is a more definitive word implying not just intoxicated, but completely drunk.

Meaning Explained

Paul has been teaching about the rapture and the Day of the Lord (the tribulation). We learned a few verses ago that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (quietly, while the world is sleeping is spiritual darkness). We also learned earlier that the rapture will come as a noisy event, and it will occur before the Day of the Lord. He also told us that we Christians will not be surprised by the coming of the Day of the Lord because we are not in spiritual darkness. We are sons of light because we are God’s children and we have been spiritually enlightened. Paul spends several verses showing the contrast between us (children of light and of the day) and unbelievers (those who are of the night, who are in spiritual darkness).

Early in Jesus’ ministry, when he had his famous discussion with Nicodemus about being born-again, he also said this:

"He who believes in Him [the Son of God] is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." (John 3:18-21)

In today’s verse Paul says a little more about those who are in darkness. At night they sleep and at night they get drunk. They are not spiritually awake because they like the darkened spiritual state they are in. Also, unbelievers prefer darkness (both physical and spiritual) because that’s when they can practice their evil deeds, thinking they won’t be noticed. Unfortunately for them, God does see even the deeds they do in the darkness, and He will judge them for their deeds.

Application

Often, when people get saved their “friends” don’t want to be associated with them. It’s because a Christian is a child of light and their “friends” prefer the darkness. Let your light shine!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:18 – Spirit Filled Living

Posted on by Will

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

Truth to Learn

Be filled with the Spirit, not with yourself.

Behind the Words

“Drunk” is translated from the Greek verb methuskō, which is derived from methu (or methy), a fermented, alcoholic wine. Methuskō represents a state of intoxication greater than oinōsis (being under the influence of wine).

Oinos is the Greek word translated “wine.” It is a generic term for wine. The same word refers to “new wine,” also called “the fruit of the vine,” (which we would call grape juice) as well as fermented wine containing alcohol.

The word “dissipation” is translated from asōtia, which is composed of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of the verb sōdzō, meaning “to save.” Thus, asōtia literally means “unsavedness,” that is, “acting unsafe.” This word is used to describe someone who freely indulges himself in his own appetites and lusts, that is, a prodigal.

“Be filled” is from the Greek verb plēroō, which means “to fill up until no more can be added.”

Meaning Explained

Here is another example of Pauline style teaching (don’t do one thing, do something else instead). He says, “Instead of filling yourself up with wine, causing yourself to become drunk, be completely filled-up with the Spirit.”

There are two commands given in this verse: “don’t get drunk” and “be Spirit filled.” However, there is some ambiguity in the grammatical structure of this verse. The reason for this ambiguity is the fact that the verb form that indicates passive voice, imperative mood (allow someone or something to do something to you) is identical to that which indicates middle voice, imperative mood (do something to yourself). The only way to determine which is correct is by context. I believe the proper interpretation is “don’t cause yourself to become drunk with wine; allow yourself to be filled with (or by) the Spirit.”

Paul’s reason for not getting drunk is that drunkenness leads to “unsavedness.” He is not saying that when you get drunk you lose your salvation. What he is saying is that when you get drunk, you act unsaved (and unsafe). We’ve all seen people who are drunk, and we all know what happens when someone who is drunk gets behind the wheel of a car. Remember in verse fifteen Paul said not to walk as unwise people, but as wise people. And in verse eleven he said to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Wise people don’t get drunk, and drunkenness doesn’t produce spiritual fruit.

Instead of being under the influence of alcohol and letting alcohol control our actions, we need to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and we need to let the Spirit control our actions.

Application

Anything that distracts us from submissive fellowship with God leaves less room for the Holy Spirit. It could be alcohol, drugs, lying, stealing, cheating, selfishness, anger, or many other things. These are all indications of being filled with self. But, when we submit ourselves to God and focus on the good of others, God’s Spirit will fill us. What are you filled with?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.