Ephesians 5:18-21
What is written? (ESV)
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
What does it say?
Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. Address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
What is its immediate context?
Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus giving encouragement and instruction.
How Ephesians 5:18-21 is applied across Bible answers
Do we pray to Jesus or God?
We give thanks (pray) to God by/in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Is instrumental music in worship authorized?
Music is made in one's heart through "speaking" psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to each other and to God.
What does worship to God look like?
When coming together, they sang songs of praise to God and submitted to each other under Christ. Similar to the contrast from Paul in 1 Corinthians 11 regarding the Lord’s Supper2, here he advocates for the spiritual over the carnal by signing. Specifically, singing songs of praise to God in a way that speaks to each other — using their hearts as the instrument and with an attitude of thanksgiving to God and submission to each other (given the common bond in Christ).
