Bible Strands
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Ephesian church in a passage (5:17–21) that moves from understanding God's will to corporate worship. The verse is the hinge between a prohibition and a positive command.
The words — μεθύσκεσθε (methuskesthe) is a present passive imperative: "do not be getting drunk," stressing a continuous state rather than a single act. ἀσωτὶα (asōtia) names the fruit — reckless, undisciplined behavior.
The thread — Luke 1:15 pairs "filled with the Spirit" with total abstinence from wine for John the Baptist; Proverbs 20:1 and Romans 13:13 both link drunkenness to moral disorder.
Why it lands — The verse does not ban wine but forbids the state of drunkenness and its fruit, then demands a positive, ongoing filling by the Spirit. It asks the reader to replace one source of filling with another.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Cross-references
- Luke 1:15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
- Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
- Romans 13:13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
- Galatians 5:21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Acts 11:24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
- Isaiah 5:22 Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink,
- 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
- Proverbs 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes?
- Luke 11:13 So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
- Proverbs 23:20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat.