Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "filling" often refers to the act of being filled with the Holy Spirit, the fulfillment of God's promises, or the satisfaction of physical and spiritual needs. This term is used both literally and metaphorically throughout Scripture, illustrating God's provision, presence, and power in the lives of His people.
Filling with the Holy SpiritOne of the most significant uses of "filling" in the New Testament is the filling of believers with the Holy Spirit. This is a transformative experience that empowers Christians for service, witness, and holy living. In
Acts 2:4, during the event of Pentecost, it is recorded, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." This filling signifies the beginning of the Church's mission and the empowerment of believers to spread the Gospel.
The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Spirit in
Ephesians 5:18, where he instructs, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Here, the contrast is made between the temporary and destructive influence of alcohol and the enduring and edifying influence of the Holy Spirit.
Filling of NeedsThe Bible frequently speaks of God filling the needs of His people, both physically and spiritually. In the Old Testament, God provided manna to fill the hunger of the Israelites in the wilderness (
Exodus 16:12). This act of provision is a testament to God's faithfulness and care for His people.
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of spiritual filling in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (
Matthew 5:6). This promise highlights the satisfaction and fulfillment found in pursuing a life aligned with God's will.
Filling of God's PromisesThe concept of filling is also related to the fulfillment of God's promises. In the prophetic literature, the filling of God's promises often points to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. For instance, in
Luke 1:20, the angel Gabriel tells Zechariah, "And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time." This indicates the certainty and divine timing of God's promises being filled.
Filling of the Earth with God's GloryThe Bible also speaks of the earth being filled with the glory of God. In
Habakkuk 2:14, it is prophesied, "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea." This vision points to a future time when God's presence and majesty will be universally recognized and revered.
Filling in Worship and PraiseIn the context of worship, believers are encouraged to be filled with gratitude and praise.
Colossians 3:16 states, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." This filling with the word of Christ and the resulting expression of worship is central to the Christian life.
Overall, the theme of filling in the Bible encompasses a wide range of meanings, from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to the fulfillment of God's promises and the satisfaction of human needs. Each instance underscores the sufficiency and sovereignty of God in the lives of His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fill.
2. (n.) That which is used to fill a cavity or any empty space, or to supply a deficiency; as, filling for a cavity in a tooth, a depression in a roadbed, the space between exterior and interior walls of masonry, the pores of open-grained wood, the space between the outer and inner planks of a vessel, etc.
3. (n.) The woof in woven fabrics.
4. (n.) Prepared wort added to ale to cleanse it.
Greek
4140. plesmone -- afilling up... a
filling up. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: plesmone Phonetic
Spelling: (place-mon-ay') Short Definition: satisfaction, indulgence Definition
...4138. pleroma -- fullness, afilling up
... fullness, afilling up. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: pleroma Phonetic
Spelling: (play'-ro-mah) Short Definition: fullness, fulfillment...
466. antanapleroo -- to fill up in turn
... 466 (from 473 , "corresponding" and 378 , "fulfill") -- properly, to ,
especially in of (in of); to ,filling up what is (). 466...
1117. gomos -- a ship's freight, cargo
... cargo, freight, merchandise. From gemo; a load (asfilling), ie (specially) a cargo,
or (by extension) wares -- burden, merchandise. see GREEK gemo....
1840. exischuo -- to have strength enough
... 1840 (from 1537 , "completely out of from" which intensifies 2479 , " strength,
filling a need or void") -- properly, "strength at work," such as overcoming...
1072. gemizo -- to fill
... fill, load. Word Origin from gemo Definition to fill NASB Word Usage fill
(1), filled (7),filling (1). fill, be full. Transitive...
378. anapleroo -- to fill up
... As a strengthened form of 4137 ("fulfill"), 378 () is " thefilling up of a perfect
vacancy, as with the simple 4137 -- but rather the of what is lacking ; the...
Strong's Hebrew
4396. milluah -- setting (of jewels)... inclosing, setting. Feminine of millu'; a
filling, ie Setting (of gems) -- inclosing,
setting. see HEBREW millu'. 4395, 4396. milluah. 4397 . Strong's Numbers
4390. male -- to be full, to fill
... 3), consecrated* (4), covered (1), dedicate (1), drenched (1), drew (1), ended
(1), endowed (1), expired (1), fill (38), filled (78),filling (5), fills (1...
4392. male -- full
... From male'; full (literally or figuratively) orfilling (literally); also (concretely)
fulness; adverbially, fully -- X she that was with child, fill(-ed, -ed...
Library
Filling Life Full
... XVFILLING LIFE FULL. Matthew v.17. The Jews thought that Jesus had come
to destroy their teaching and to abandon all their splendid...
As Therefore the Apostle, Nay Rather the Spirit of God Possessing...
... Section 19. As therefore the Apostle, nay rather the Spirit of God possessing
andfilling and? 19. As therefore the Apostle, nay...
Gainas the Goth Attempts to Usurp the Sovereign Power; after...
... Book VI. Chapter VI."Ga??nas the Goth attempts to usurp the Sovereign Power;
afterfilling Constantinople with Disorder, he is slain....
Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
... A man may hunger after the world and not be filled. The world is fading, notfilling....
But righteousness is afilling thing; nay, it so fills that it satisfies....
Introduction.
... to be cleared and opened up, so we have only to remove the hindrances, to yield
ourselves in perfect surrender to the Spirit in us, and thefilling will come....
Other New Testament Names for "Being Filled with the Spirit. "
... promised "Baptism" they entered upon a new phase of life, experience, and service,
and this "Baptism" need not be repeated; but not so the "Filling." Peter was...
The Main Road --Experiences of Power and Privilege
... Then will come afilling of our very being by this wondrous Spirit of God. How shall
we know thisfilling, do you ask?... This is what thefilling means....
Something Different from the New Birth.
... So it is the Christian's overflow that is the world's salvation, and in
order to the overflow there must first be thefilling. As...
Making and Breaking Connections.
... "The baptism of the Holy Spirit," "the induement," "thefilling," "refilling,"
"many... It describes their side. Baptism was the act;filling was the result....
Concerning the Place of God: and that the Deity Alone is...
... not place. For He is His own place,filling all things and being above all
things, and Himself maintaining all things [1618] . Yet...
Thesaurus
Filling (29 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) That which is used to fill a cavity or any empty space, or to supply a
deficiency; as,
filling for a cavity in a tooth, a depression in a roadbed, the
...Filling-up (1 Occurrence)
Filling-up. Fillings,Filling-up. Fills . Multi-Version Concordance
Filling-up (1 Occurrence). Mark 2:21 No one sews...
Fills (20 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:17 though, indeed, without witness He did not leave himself, doing good --
from heaven giving rains to us, and fruitful seasons,filling our hearts...
Offered (320 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Matthew 27:48 One of them ran forthwith, andfilling a sponge with
sour wine put it on the end of a cane and offered it Him to drink; (WEY NIV)....
Gladness (83 Occurrences)
... 17:13 "But now I am coming to Thee, and I speak these words while I am in the world,
in order that they may have my gladness within themfilling their hearts....
Flooding (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Flood. 2. (n.) Thefilling or covering with water or other
fluid; overflow; inundation; thefilling anything to excess....
Results (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:16 And no one doth put a patch of undressed cloth on an old garment, for
itsfilling up doth take from the garment, and a worse rent is made....
Everlasting (192 Occurrences)
... EVERLASTING. The term "everlasting" or "eternal," applied to God, describes
Him asfilling, or enduring through, all the "ages" of time....
Choke (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To render unable to breathe byfilling, pressing
upon, or squeezing the windpipe; to stifle; to suffocate; to strangle....
Takes (380 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 9:16 But no one puts a patch of new cloth on an old garment, for
itsfilling up takes from the garment and a worse rent takes place. (DBY)....
Resources
How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Pneumatology? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgFilling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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