How can believers know they are filled with the Spirit?

Paul has anticipated and answered this question toward the end of Ephesians 5: “Do not get intoxicated—that leads to sensual indulgence—but always be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18).

In Greek, Ephesians 5:18–21 is a single sentence. The main verb is plērousthe (“be filled”), which is the second-person plural present passive imperative of plēroō, “fill.” Each of these elements is important:

    • Second-person plural: “You (all) are to be filled.” The Spirit’s filling is not a privilege reserved for the few; all believers are involved.
    • Present tense: “Always be filled.” A continuous appropriation of the Spirit is necessary; it is not an isolated, single experience.
    • Passive voice: “Be filled.” Active yielding to the Spirit’s sway is implied.
    • Imperative mood: “You must be filled.” This is a divine directive to be obeyed.

Following this main or finite verb (“be filled”) are five participles (see below). By their nature, participles are undefined in their relation to the main verb; the context defines the relationship.




They often express cause (“because”) or means (“by”), but in the present case they depict circumstances that accompany the “filling,” and so they describe the evidence or result of that “filling.”

The first participle is “Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (v. 19a). This “speaking to one another” is explained in Colossians 3:16 as “teaching and admonishing one another.” The “psalms” refer to OT psalms or songs; “hymns” will be hymns about Christ (such as Phil 2:5–11 or Col 1:15–20) or Christian canticles in general; while “spiritual songs” are songs inspired by the Spirit or spontaneous hymnody.

The second and third participles are “Singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord” (v. 19b). If verse 19a points to the horizontal dimension of Christian worship, verse 19b describes the vertical aspect. All music, whatever its source, should emanate from the whole inner person and prompt the worship of Christ as supreme Lord.

The fourth is “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 20). As normally in the NT, prayer is addressed to the Father through the Son (Eph 2:18; see part 2, ch. 36).
Finally, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (v. 21). Since the subordination is mutual, no inferiority or superiority is implied.




CONCLUSION
These, then, are unmistakable evidence of being filled with the Spirit as exhibited in interpersonal relationships: mutual edification, heartfelt worship, constant thanksgiving, and mutual submission.

There are, of course, other evidence found elsewhere in the NT, such as the character traits listed in Galatians 5:22–23.


Author: Harris, M. J.