Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Ephesians 5:18-19 – Getting Drunk in Church?
Getting Drunk in Church?
Getting drunk in church? Well, maybe not drunk, but close to that yet completely different. Before Paul encourages singing (Ephesians 5:19), he has a lead-in statement: “And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Instead of filling up with alcohol, it is a different kind of “filling”. “Filled” means, “fill to individual capacity”. Getting drunk affects your decision making, making you “reckless”. Being filled with the Spirit likewise affects your decision making, making you…“reck”! Yes, “reck” is a word and means, “to care for”, “to matter”. The Spirit helps us understand what we should pay attention to because it is important. One way of doing this is by singing (Ephesians 5:19).
Why this lead-in statement contrasting being drunk with worshiping God? I have a theory to consider. One theme within Ephesians is a temple. I suggest to you the possibility Paul is thinking of three temples in Ephesians: 1) God’s OT temple or tabernacle; 2) The Ephesian temple to Artemis; 3) God’s NT temple or tabernacle which is the church.
Going backwards:
3) God’s NT temple or tabernacle which is the church – “in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21 – NASB).
2) The Ephesian temple to Artemis: Antipater of Sidon was a Greek poet who compiled a list of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world: “I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, “Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand.”” (Antipater, Greek Anthology [IX.58])
1) God’s OT temple or tabernacle: Right before Paul speaks of worshiping God in a pleasing manner, he mentions not getting drunk. This could refer to pagan practices. But I do wonder, with God’s temple being a thematic thread, if it could refer to an OT example. In Leviticus 10, Nadab and Abihu get reckless and bring “strange” or “unauthorized” fire. A few verses further down the chapter we have God instructing Aaron, “You and your sons are not to drink wine or beer when you enter the tent of meeting… (Leviticus 10:8). Both Ephesians and Leviticus have these three common ideas:
• Temple/Tabernacle
• Worship
• Wine
Like Paul, I would like to encourage you to sing. If you would like to be filled with the Spirit, come join the Millersville church of Christ as we praise God on Friday, January 27th, from 7:00-8:30 PM. Don’t wreck your life with spirits. “Reck” your life with the Holy Spirit.
Comments