Tarrying for the Filling of the Holy Spirit
The concept of "tarrying for the filling of the Holy Spirit" refers to a period of waiting and prayerful expectation for a deeper experience or empowerment by the Holy Spirit. While the term "tarrying" itself is not explicitly used in all biblical contexts related to the Spirit's filling, the idea of waiting for divine empowerment is present in scripture. For instance, Jesus instructed his disciples to "stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49), which is understood to refer to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost [6].
The Holy Spirit is depicted in scripture as indwelling believers, making their bodies and the Church His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16) [1]. This indwelling is promised to saints (Ezekiel 36:27) and is a means of quickening, guiding, and fruit-bearing (Romans 8:11; John 16:13; Galatians 5:18, 22) [1]. The Spirit's presence is also a proof of being in Christ and of adoption (Romans 8:9, 15; 1 John 4:13; Galatians 4:5) [1].
The "filling" of the Holy Spirit is often associated with empowerment for service and witness. Believers are exhorted to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) [1]. This filling is a gift from God, given by the Father and the Son, and is available to those who repent, believe, and obey God (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:38, 5:32; John 20:22) [5]. It is also described as an anointing from God that abides in saints and guides them into all truth (1 John 2:27) [4].
The act of "tarrying" or waiting often involves prayer. Prayer is commanded in scripture (Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 7:7; Philippians 4:6) and is a means by which God hears and answers (Psalm 10:17, 65:2; Isaiah 58:9) [2]. The gift of the Holy Spirit is given in answer to prayer (Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:16-17) [5]. The fruit of the Spirit, which includes joy, is also a result of this divine work (Galatians 5:22) [3, 7]. John Gill notes that the "fruit of the Spirit" refers to the good works produced under the influence of God's grace [8].
The concept of being "filled" can imply a state of repletion, as seen in Proverbs 1:31, where the wicked are said to "be filled" with the fruit of their own way [9]. In the context of the Spirit, this filling signifies an abundance of divine presence and influence. The Spirit is poured out abundantly (Psalm 68:9; John 7:38-39) [5], and this outpouring is promised to the spiritual "seed" and "offspring" of God's people (Isaiah 44:3) [10].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, The — In his Church, as his temple -- 1Co 3:16. In the body of saints, as his temple -- 1Co 6:19; 2Co 6:16. Promised to saints -- Eze 36:27. Saints enjoy -- Isa 63:11; 2Ti 1:14. Saints full of -- Ac 6:5; Eph 5:18. Is the means of Quickening. -- Ro 8:11. Guiding. -- Joh 16:13; Ga 5:18. Fruit bearing. -- Ga 5:22. A proof of being Christ's -- Ro 8:9; 1Jo 4:13. A proof of adoption -- Ro 8:15; Ga 4:5. Is abiding -- 1Jo 2:27. Those who have not Are sensual. -- Jude 1:19. Are without Christ. -- Ro 8:9. Opposed by the carnal nature -- Ga 5:17.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Joy — God gives -- Ec 2:26; Ps 4:7. Christ appointed to give -- Isa 61:3. Is a fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22. The gospel, good tidings of -- Lu 2:10,11. God's word affords -- Ne 8:12; Jer 15:16. The gospel to be received with -- 1Th 1:6. Promised to saints -- Ps 132:16; Isa 35:10; 55:12; 56:7. Prepared for saints -- Ps 97:11. Enjoined to saints -- Ps 32:11; Php 3:1. Fulness of, in God's presence -- Ps 16:11. Vanity of seeking, from earthly things -- Ec 2:10,11; 11:8. Experienced by Believers. -- Lu 24:52; Ac 16:34. Peace-makers. -- Pr 12:20. The just. -- Pr 21:15. T”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anointing of the Holy Spirit — Is from God -- 2Co 1:21. That christ should receive Foretold. -- Ps 45:7; Isa 61:1; Da 9:24. Fulfilled. -- Lu 4:18,21; Ac 4:27; 10:38; Heb 1:9. God preserves those who receive -- Ps 18:50; 20:6; 89:20-23. Saints receive -- Isa 61:3; 1Jo 2:20. Is abiding in saints -- 1Jo 2:27. Guides into all truth -- 1Jo 2:27. Typified -- Ex 40:13-15; Le 8:12; 1Sa 16:13; 1Ki 19:16.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gift of the Holy Spirit, The — By the Father -- Ne 9:20; Lu 11:13. By the Son -- Joh 20:22. To Christ without measure -- Joh 3:34. Given According to promise. -- Ac 2:38,39. Upon the exaltation. -- Ps 68:18; Joh 7:39. Through the intercession of Christ. -- Joh 14:16. In answer to prayer. -- Lu 11:13; Eph 1:16,17. For instruction. -- Ne 9:20. For comfort of saints. -- Joh 14:16. To those who repent and believe. -- Ac 2:38. To those who obey God. -- Ac 5:32. To the Gentiles. -- Ac 10:44,45; 11:17; 15:8. Is abundant -- Ps 68:9; Joh 7:38,39. Is permanent -- Isa 59:21; Ha”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Baptism With the Holy Spirit — Foretold -- Eze 36:25. Is through Christ -- Tit 3:6. Christ administered -- Mt 3:11; Joh 1:33. Promised to saints -- Ac 1:5; 2:38,39; 11:16. All saints partake of -- 1Co 12:13. Necessity for -- Joh 3:5; Ac 19:2-6. Renews and cleanses the soul -- Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:20,21. The Word of God instrumental to -- Ac 10:44; Eph 5:26. Typified -- Ac 2:1-4.”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit - Both flesh - the sinful dispositions of the human heart and spirit - the changed or purified state of the soul, by the grace and Spirit of God, are represented by the apostle as trees, one yielding good the other bad fruit; the productions of each being according to the nature of the tree, as the tree is according to the nature of the seed from which it sprung. The bad seed produced a bad tree, yielding all manner of bad fruit; the good seed produced a good tree, bringing forth fruits of the most excellent kind. The tree of the flesh”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:8: For the fruit of the Spirit,.... Either of the spirit of man, as renewed, or rather of the Spirit of God; the allusion is to fruits of trees: the believer is a tree of righteousness; Christ is his root; the Spirit is the sap, which supports and nourishes; and good works, under the influence of his grace, are the fruit: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, read "the fruit of light"; which agrees with the preceding words: and the genuine fruit of internal grace, or light, is in all goodness, and righteousness, ”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 1:31: fruit . . . way--result of conduct (Isa 3:10; Eze 11:21; Rom 6:21; Gal 6:7-8). be filled--even to repletion (Psa 123:4).”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 44:3: For I will pour water oh him that is thirsty,.... Or rather upon the thirsty land, as the Targum; and so the Syriac version, "in a thirsty place"; as a dry land is a thirsty land; it thirsts for water, gapes and opens for it: see Psa 63:1 "and floods upon the dry ground"; large quantities of rain to moisten it, and make it fruitful; these figurative expressions are explained in the next clauses: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; by which "seed" and "offspring" are meant the spiritual seed of this remnant or little church of C”