second person present imperative passive of pleroo
pronounced: play-roos-thay
The local pub invariably has different kinds of drinkers. Some sip at one drink all night. Others gulp down two or three drinks, then switch to something non-alcoholic. Some steadily drain glass after glass for as long as the bartender will serve them. In a previous Counter Thought Word Study, we defined the phrase “filled with the Spirit” as “being under the influence of.” Paul utilized the drinking tendencies of his day, which weren’t much different than now, to illustrate the way we should approach our relationship with God. In Ephesians 5:18, he said: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” New Testament Greek verbs denote different kinds of action, something that doesn’t usually translate well into English. In this case, “be filled” is in the present tense, which indicates a continuous or incomplete and ongoing action. When most of us think of being filled with the Spirit, we tend to picture something accomplished, like filling a glass with water and setting it on the counter. The tense used in this verse is more like putting the glass under a running faucet and leaving it there. It is in a constant state of being filled. When drinking alcohol, it is best to finish your drinking before you are too much under the influence. In the Holy Spirit’s happy hour, the object is to keep drinking at a steady pace and don’t stop. Be constantly in a state of being influenced by the Spirit.