“Be filled with the Spirit” = “Let word of Christ dwell in you richly”

I believe I heard this from Piper somewhere... He was comparing Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:18-19. They are structured similarly. Both mention singing psalms, hyms and spiritual songs, and being thankful to God. But in Colossians he instructs believers to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" whereas in Ephesians the instruction is to be filled with the Spirit.

The implication is that there is a close relationship between being filled with the Spirit, and the word of Christ dwelling in you. So we can be neither people who are only about the Word, or only about the Spirit. We need both to live the Christian life.

Here is a chart of the verses:

Colossians 3:16	Ephesians 5:18-19
	And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery,
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,	but be filled with the Spirit,
teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,	addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
	singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
with thankfulness in your hearts to God	giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father
	in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

 

I hope to be someone who knows deeply both the Word and Spirit!