15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Commentary
Vs. 15 "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise"
Since we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are commanded to walk as children of light; and thus to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; the Apostle Paul now says that we all should walk (that is live our lives) circumspectly (i.e. with caution and discretion) knowing that there are many pitfalls and evils all around us; and thus not as fools (who are snared by and entangled in their own sins and lusts) but as wise, as a people who fulfill their sojourn down here in the fear of the Lord (consider Prov. 1:7, 29-33; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4 etc.).
Vs. 16 "redeeming the time, because the days are evil"
Redeeming the time is to well use all the opportunities for doing good that God places before us all, because the days are evil, and opportunities for doing so are not forever. And what we do down here will effect how we will be rewarded in heaven. For God has a time-line which will not change and He will bring to close this present evil age in due time, ending forever all the works that are done in it, whether good or evil.
Vs. 17 "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
If a Christian should be anything in this life, it is wise, wise in their lives and knowledgeable in their understanding of God and what the will of the Lord is for us all, and that is our sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3-4; 2 Thess. 2:13).
Vs. 18 "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit"
Therefore since sanctification or holiness is the goal of this life for us all who believe in Christ, being drunk with wine (or intoxicated with marijuana, or anything else) is not God's will for any of us. Rather God's will for us all is that we all be filled with the Spirit, (not demon spirits which are found in all false and misleading worship practices), but rather the Holy Spirit who has sealed us for forever and is sanctifying us all. For He has united us all with Christ, and He is now bringing forth Christ's fragrance and life through us all who believe in Him. Therefore let us be filled with the Spirit by walking in all goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph. 5:9), (rather than justifying or walking the sinful lusts of the flesh), for when we do we are also filled with the Spirit the fruits of the Spirit of God (Gal 5:22-23) and thus we are given all that is needed to live a Godly and joyful and fruitful life down here when we are filled with the Spirit.
Vs. 19 "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord"
Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs is not only edifying to one and to all, but it forwards our being filled with Spirit, as we worship and reverence and show our love and thankfulness to God through the same. As well they are one of the most effective tools God has given us all through His Son' s Spirit to minister His Word's truths to each other and to all, and thus to encourage, comfort, build up and strengthen each other through the same. For nothing is more powerful and effective than the Word of God spoken and sung by us through the Spirit. For it along reaches the depths of longing that is in every hungry human heart and every broken soul.
Vs. 20 "giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"
In order to help facilitate our ongoing Spirit filling, the Apostle Paul wants us all to always give thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for all things, because not only have we been redeemed from all our sins and death and eternal condemnation, but we are now living a life that is not only Spirit alive and united with Christ (and thus nothing can or ever will separate us from the love of God, Rom 8:28-39) and so whatever troubles or burdens that we are now bearing in this life, all have an end, when we go to be with Christ forever (Rev. 21:4). And we will all be rewarded and comforted according to what we have done, and what we bore in this mortal life. Now in giving God thanks notice that God the Father's Name is never separated from the Lord Jesus Christ's Person and Name. For God the Father should never be separated from God's Son Person and Name, for they are One, and we are One in them and through them, and thus we are continually thankful to them.
Vs. 21 "submitting to one another in the fear of God"
Submitting to one another in the fear of God is not only essential for being Spirit filled (because God always resists the proud), but it is walking in the fear of the Lord when we do. And so no believer should ever think themselves above submitting to or serving another. The Lord Jesus Christ set forth the example of this when He washed the disciples feet, and so we should likewise be willing to serve, help and assist each other in whatever ways we can. Now submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord means taking Godly directions and counsel from one another. For Jesus Christ through His Spirit has equipped us all, and has given us all knowledge and understanding, and so though there is a hierarchy regarding the Spirit given gifts (1 Cor 12:27-30) and the headship principal governing genders (1 Cor 11:3; 12:27-30; 1 Tim 2:11-12), the fear of the Lord demands that we submit to one another (1 Peter 5:5). Thus if your wife asks you to do something, than you better not pull the husband is the head of house card on her, because if you do than you are not walking in the fear of the Lord, but only in the self-serving nature of a wicked and lazy man, not a Godly one, and thus if you do so you should be treated accordingly, with little to no respect, because God created the woman as mans-helpmate to complement and strengthen him in those areas in which he is weak and vulnerable. And so if she gives you good counsel thank God for it and do it, for not only do families grow strong when they do, but the church grows strong when we all submit to one another in the fear of the Lord.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
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