CINXE.COM
Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/49_Eph_05_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ephesians 5:18 - Children of Light" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ephesians/5-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ephesians/5-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ephesians/">Ephesians</a> > <a href="/ephesians/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ephesians/5-17.htm" title="Ephesians 5:17">◄</a> Ephesians 5:18 <a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm" title="Ephesians 5:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ephesians/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ephesians/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ephesians/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and not to be drunk with wine in which is debauchery. Instead be filled with <i>the</i> Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ephesians/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ephesians/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ephesians/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ephesians/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ephesians/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ephesians/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ephesians/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit <i>and</i> constantly guided by Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ephesians/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ephesians/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ephesians/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ephesians/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ephesians/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ephesians/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit?your[ spirit.">]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ephesians/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not get drunk with wine, which will only ruin you; instead, be filled with the Spirit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ephesians/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ephesians/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ephesians/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ephesians/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ephesians/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And be not drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Do not over-indulge in wine--a thing in which excess is so easy--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ephesians/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ephesians/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and do not be drunk with wine, in which is wastefulness, but be filled in the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and not to be drunk with wine in which is debauchery. Instead be filled with <i>the</i> Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ephesians/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and be not drunk with wine, in which is dissoluteness, but be filled in the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ephesians/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And be not drunk with wine, in which is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ephesians/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the holy Spirit, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ephesians/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And do not choose to be inebriated by wine, for this is self-indulgence. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ephesians/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And do not become drunk with wine, wherein is intemperance; but be filled with the Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Neither be drunk with wine in which is debauchery, but be filled with The Spirit.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/ephesians/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And be not drunk with wine, in which is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/ephesians/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Be not drunk with wine, in which there is riot, but be ye filled with the Spirit;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/ephesians/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And be not drunk with wine, in which there is sottishness, but be filled with the Spirit;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/ephesians/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />do not drink to excess, for that tends to dissoluteness, but be regal'd with spiritual entertainments:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Do not over-indulge in wine--a thing in which excess is so easy--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/ephesians/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And be not drunken with wine, in which is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/ephesians/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And be not drunk with wine, in which there is riotous excess; but be filled with the Spirit:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ephesians/5-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfeSHen3sAQ?start=950" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm">Children of Light</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">Do not</a> <a href="/greek/3182.htm" title="3182: methyskesthe (V-PMM/P-2P) -- To make drunk; pass: I become drunk. A prolonged form of methuo; to intoxicate.">get drunk</a> <a href="/greek/3631.htm" title="3631: oinō (N-DMS) -- Wine. A primary word (yayin); wine.">on wine,</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hō (RelPro-DMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">which</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">leads to</a> <a href="/greek/810.htm" title="810: asōtia (N-NFS) -- Wantonness, profligacy, wastefulness. From a compound of a and a presumed derivative of sozo; properly, unsavedness, i.e. profligacy.">reckless indiscretion.</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">Instead,</a> <a href="/greek/4137.htm" title="4137: plērousthe (V-PMM/P-2P) -- From pleres; to make replete, i.e. to cram, level up, or to furnish, satisfy, execute, finish, verify, etc.">be filled</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">with</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneumati (N-DNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">the Spirit.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">19</span>Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16-25</a></span><br />So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. / But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Colossians 3:16</a></span><br />Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-9.htm">Romans 8:9-14</a></span><br />You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. / But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. / And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a></span><br />Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-4.htm">Acts 2:4</a></span><br />And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-16.htm">John 14:16-17</a></span><br />And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— / the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-19.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:19</a></span><br />Do not extinguish the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">1 Peter 4:3-4</a></span><br />For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. / Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Isaiah 5:11-12</a></span><br />Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine. / At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Proverbs 20:1</a></span><br />Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28-29</a></span><br />And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a></span><br />I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a></span><br />“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Psalm 104:15</a></span><br />wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;</p><p class="hdg">be not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21</a></b></br> And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-32.htm">Genesis 19:32-35</a></b></br> Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/21-20.htm">Deuteronomy 21:20</a></b></br> And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son <i>is</i> stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; <i>he is</i> a glutton, and a drunkard.</p><p class="hdg">excess.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25</a></b></br> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">1 Peter 4:3,4</a></b></br> For the time past of <i>our</i> life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: … </p><p class="hdg">but.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/63-3.htm">Psalm 63:3-5</a></b></br> Because thy lovingkindness <i>is</i> better than life, my lips shall praise thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/1-4.htm">Song of Solomon 1:4</a></b></br> Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/7-9.htm">Song of Solomon 7:9</a></b></br> And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth <i>down</i> sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_corinthians/12-21.htm">Debauchery</a> <a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Dissipation</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-4.htm">Dissoluteness</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-21.htm">Drunk</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-34.htm">Drunken</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-9.htm">Easy</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-15.htm">Excess</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-19.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-14.htm">Leads</a> <a href="/galatians/2-13.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-19.htm">Overmuch</a> <a href="/acts/21-38.htm">Riot</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-9.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/romans/14-21.htm">Wine</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">Debauchery</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-4.htm">Dissipation</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-4.htm">Dissoluteness</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-7.htm">Drunk</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-7.htm">Drunken</a> <a href="/james/3-17.htm">Easy</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">Excess</a> <a href="/philippians/1-11.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-27.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-4.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm">Leads</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-11.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/exodus/23-29.htm">Overmuch</a> <a href="/titus/1-6.htm">Riot</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/philippians/4-10.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-3.htm">Wine</a><div class="vheading2">Ephesians 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-1.htm">After general exhortations to love;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">to flee sexual immorality;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">and all uncleanness;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-7.htm">not to converse with the wicked;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-15.htm">to walk carefully;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">and to be filled with the Spirit;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">and husbands ought to love their wives,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-32.htm">even as Christ does his church.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ephesians/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not get drunk on wine</b><br>In the Greco-Roman world, wine was a common beverage, often safer to drink than water due to fermentation. However, excessive consumption was associated with moral decay and loss of self-control. The Bible consistently warns against drunkenness (<a href="/proverbs/20.htm">Proverbs 20:1</a>, <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Isaiah 5:11</a>). This command reflects a call to holiness and self-discipline, aligning with the broader biblical theme of living a life set apart for God (<a href="/leviticus/20-26.htm">Leviticus 20:26</a>).<p><b>which leads to reckless indiscretion</b><br>Drunkenness often results in behavior that is contrary to Christian values, such as immorality and foolishness. The term "reckless indiscretion" suggests actions that are thoughtless and irresponsible, leading to sin and spiritual harm. This aligns with the warnings in <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Proverbs 23:29-35</a> about the consequences of excessive drinking, emphasizing the need for wisdom and discernment.<p><b>Instead, be filled with the Spirit</b><br>This phrase contrasts the temporary and destructive influence of alcohol with the enduring and life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is a recurring theme in the New Testament (<a href="/acts/2-4.htm">Acts 2:4</a>, <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16-25</a>), signifying a life controlled and empowered by God. It involves a continuous, active submission to the Spirit's guidance, resulting in the fruit of the Spirit and a Christ-like character. This filling is essential for living out the Christian faith effectively and is a fulfillment of the promise of the Spirit's indwelling presence (<a href="/john/14-16.htm">John 14:16-17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a></b><br>A major city in Asia Minor, Ephesus was a center of trade and culture. The Ephesian church was one of the early Christian communities to which Paul wrote.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/holy_spirit.htm">Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is central to Christian life and empowerment, guiding believers in truth and righteousness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wine.htm">Wine</a></b><br>In the context of <a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18</a>, wine represents indulgence and excess, which can lead to a lack of self-control and moral failure.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/reckless_indiscretion.htm">Reckless Indiscretion</a></b><br>This term refers to behavior that is unwise and lacking in moral restraint, often resulting from drunkenness or other forms of excess.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_excess.htm">Avoiding Excess</a></b><br>The command to not get drunk on wine serves as a broader principle against any form of excess that leads to a loss of self-control and moral compromise.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/being_filled_with_the_spirit.htm">Being Filled with the Spirit</a></b><br>This is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Believers are encouraged to continually seek the Spirit's guidance and empowerment in their daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contrast_of_influences.htm">Contrast of Influences</a></b><br>The passage highlights the contrast between being influenced by substances like wine and being influenced by the Holy Spirit, urging believers to choose the latter.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_and_spiritual_discernment.htm">Moral and Spiritual Discernment</a></b><br>Being filled with the Spirit equips believers with the discernment needed to live wisely and make godly choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>Engaging with a community of believers can provide support and accountability in the pursuit of a Spirit-filled life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ephesians_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_marrying_an_alcoholic.htm">What does the Bible say about marrying an alcoholic?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_the_temperance_movement's_goal.htm">What was the goal of the Temperance Movement?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_john's_bethabara_baptism_important.htm">What does the Bible say about marrying an alcoholic?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_recreational_marijuana.htm">What does the Bible say about recreational marijuana?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.</span>--From the general idea of reckless levity, St. Paul passes on to the special sin of drunkenness, as not (like gluttony) primarily a gratification of the appetite, but as a reckless pursuit of excitement at all costs--glorified as an excitement of emotion, and even of wit and intellect, in such contemporary writers as Horace, and actually confused, as in the Dionysiac or Bacchanalian frenzy, with a divine inspiration. How necessary the admonition was we see by the directions as to the choice of clergy in the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim. 3:28; <a href="/titus/1-7.htm" title="For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;">Titus 1:7</a>; <a href="/titus/2-3.htm" title="The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;">Titus 2:3</a>); the more necessary, because (as <a href="/1_timothy/5-23.htm" title="Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your often infirmities.">1Timothy 5:23</a> shows) the right use of wine was recognised. Hence St. Paul emphatically brands drunkenness as "excess," a word properly signifying "recklessness"--"incapable of saving," or denying itself anything, and naturally passing through this want of self-restraint into profligacy--rightly translated "riot" in <a href="/titus/1-6.htm" title="If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.">Titus 1:6</a>, <a href="/1_peter/4-4.htm" title="Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:">1Peter 4:4</a>, as the corresponding adverb is rendered "riotous living" in <a href="/luke/15-13.htm" title="And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.">Luke 15:13</a>. For drunkenness is at once the effect and cause of utter recklessness. It is the effect of a self-abandonment, by which the sensual or passionate elements of the nature are stimulated to frenzy, while the self-controlling judgment is drugged to sleep. It is the cause of yet greater recklessness: for as these passions and appetites become jaded, they need stronger and stronger stimulants, till the whole nature, bodily and mental, is lost in delirium or stupor. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And be not intoxicated with wine, wherein is dissoluteness.</span> Drunkenness is suggested because it is a work of darkness; it is the foe to vigilance and earnestness, and it leads all who yield to it to act unwisely. It is the <span class="accented">social</span> aspect of drunkenness the apostle has in view - the exhilarating influence of wine in company, giving a rush of high spirits. <span class="greek">Ασωτία</span>, from <span class="greek">α</span> and <span class="greek">σωζω</span>, the opposite of savingness, wastefulness, dissoluteness, or the process of being dissolved, involving perdition. Spoken of the prodigal son, "riotous living;" <span class="accented">the habit which sends everything to wreck and ruin</span>. <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>But be filled with the Spirit.</span> Instead of resorting to wine to cheer and animate you, throw your hearts open the Holy Spirit, so that he may come and fill them; seek the joy that the Spirit inspires when he makes you to sit with Christ in heavenly places, so that, instead of pouring out your joyous feelings in bacchanalian songs, you may do so in Christian hymns. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ephesians/5-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">{Do} not</span><br /><span class="grk">μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">get drunk</span><br /><span class="grk">μεθύσκεσθε</span> <span class="translit">(methyskesthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3182.htm">Strong's 3182: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make drunk; pass: I become drunk. A prolonged form of methuo; to intoxicate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on wine,</span><br /><span class="grk">οἴνῳ</span> <span class="translit">(oinō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3631.htm">Strong's 3631: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wine. A primary word (yayin); 'wine'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">which</span><br /><span class="grk">ᾧ</span> <span class="translit">(hō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">leads to</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reckless indiscretion.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀσωτία</span> <span class="translit">(asōtia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_810.htm">Strong's 810: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wantonness, profligacy, wastefulness. From a compound of a and a presumed derivative of sozo; properly, unsavedness, i.e. profligacy.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Instead,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀλλὰ</span> <span class="translit">(alla)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be filled</span><br /><span class="grk">πληροῦσθε</span> <span class="translit">(plērousthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4137.htm">Strong's 4137: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pleres; to make replete, i.e. to cram, level up, or to furnish, satisfy, execute, finish, verify, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] Spirit.</span><br /><span class="grk">Πνεύματι</span> <span class="translit">(Pneumati)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, spirit. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 5:18 Don't be drunken with wine in which (Ephes. Eph. Ep) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ephesians/5-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ephesians 5:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ephesians 5:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ephesians 5:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ephesians 5:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>