filled with -- (2). the dative, which shows the filler of the vessel. If the "Pentecostal"

interpretation is correct, then we shall find the verb followed by the genitive, and the

passage will have a meaning similar to that of Acts 2: 4, where "filled with pneuma

hagion" refers to spiritual gifts. The fact is that in Eph. 5: 18 the verb is followed by the

dative, indicating that the Holy Spirit is the Filler. Col. 3: 16 states that with which He

fills, namely, the word of Christ. Here is sanity, and true dispensational teaching; the

other leads oftentimes to a spiritual Bedlam.

Whereas in Col. 1: 9 the apostle prays for a knowledge of His will, in Eph. 1: 17 he

prays that God may give the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

There is, of course, no conflict between the two passages, for Heb. 10: 7 says: "Then said

I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me) to do Thy Will, O God." To

know Christ is to know the will of God. To walk in Christ is to walk in the will of God.

To be perfect in Christ is to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. This was

the apostle's prayer for the Colossians: "I do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that

ye might be filled with a knowledge of His will." May it be ours, too, for ourselves and

for one another.