Go to Related Reading
About this book

Ephesians

About this book
Chapter 5

1 Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children 2 and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. 4 Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting—all of which are out of character—but rather thanksgiving. 5 For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience.⁠ 7 Therefore do not be sharers with them, 8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13 But all things being exposed by the light are made visible. 14 For everything made visible is light, and for this reason it says: “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!”⁠ 15 Therefore consider carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 taking advantage of every opportunity because the days are evil. 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,⁠ 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord,⁠ 23 because the husband is the head of the wife⁠ as also Christ is the head of the church (he himself being the savior of the body). 24 But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her 26 to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, 27 so that he may present the church to himself as glorious—not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.⁠ 28 In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one has ever hated his own body, but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great—but⁠ I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Texts in conversation

Compare Tobit 4:15 and Ephesians 5:18

Deuterocanon · New Testament

Share:

Summary

Ephesians addresses the issue of drunkenness, a concern found throughout early Jewish traditions such as in Tobit, which advises against drinking wine excessively. Both follow teachings that highlight the importance of self-control.

Passages

Tobit 4:15

Deuterocanon
14 Do not let the wages of any man, which shall work for you, stay with you, but render it to him out of hand: and if you serve God, recompense shall be made to you. Take heed to yourself, my child, in all your works, and be discreet in all your behaviour. 15 And what you yourself hate, do to no man. Do not drink wine to drunkenness, and do not let drunkenness go with you on your way. 16 Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your garments to them that are naked: of all your abundance give alms; and do not let your eye be grudging when you give alms. 17 Pour out your bread and your wine on the tomb of the just, and do not give to sinners. 18 Ask counsel of every man that is wise, and do not despise any counsel that is profitable.
225–175 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Tobit

Ephesians 5:18

New Testament
15 Therefore consider carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 taking advantage of every opportunity because the days are evil. 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
90–100 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Ephesians

References

"... Sometimes well-meaning ministers claim that the ancient world did not suffer from the alcoholic epidemic we face in 21st century. It would be an understatement, however, to assert that the world of Jesus did not have its share of alcoholics. Greeks and Romans in particular were famous for drinking parties, saturnalia, and devotion to Dionysus/Bacchus, the god of wine. Both ancient Christians and Jews encountered many drunkards in their era (Deuteronomy 21:20-21; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-30; 31:4-5; Isaiah 5:11; 1 Maccabees 16:16; Tobit 4:15; Philo On Drunkenness 27, 206; Matthew 24:48-51; Acts 2:13, 15; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10; 11:21; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18). Whatever the case, the cultural leap between the ancient Mediterranean world and ours must be considered ..."
B. J. Oropeza, “Wine and the Lord’s Supper in the Gospels, Paul, and Today,” (2015): 1–26.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

Your feedback

Tobit 4:15 and Ephesians 5:18

Leave a comment

Your questions and comments are welcome!

Comments

Glossary

Search the Library