I see a relationship between Romans 3:12's cryptic (!) quote of Psalm 14 & 53 and Ephesians 5:18. That word in Ephesians 5:18b (that is used to describe the cosmic/moral state of drunkenness) has fascinated me. I've translated it as "unsavedness" because of the quality of warning that gives to the command of 5:18a. But recent meditation in Romans 3 caused the über-harsh word "useless" to hang out there loose also. Why would God call people "useless?" Now I think the two are theological twins, especially in light of the debauchery of 1st century Ephesus and the presence of the word for the "moral status" or corrupt-ness in Genesis 6 that motivated the Great Flood Judgment there. If you compare what early Christians must have thought of the religious climate in Ephesus with what ancient Judaism must have thought of antediluvian morals, you can see a conclusion to which to jump. Some of these passages, like Romans 3, can seem so harsh and judgmental, and VERY many people would have a problem with linking spirituality to Ephesians 5:18a--BUT the problem is there is 5:18b "because that is unsavedness." Paul is encouraging the Ephesians not to be drawn into any of the habits surrounding their persecuted circle of wagons. In Romans, Paul is making the case for the saving action of God in Christ, clearly demonstrating the parallel between salvation from the Great Flood and salvation from the apocalyptic Last Judgment. He sees the same God warning good people everywhere to ESCAPE by faith in God through Christ. (Peter does also I Peter 4.4, and notice the pun!) So, the Psalms echo the sentiments in the Pentateuch, and Paul echos the Psalms in light of Jesus' mission. So the selection of this word for Ephesians 5:18 rings like a plea from God not to be fooled by the sauce into thinking it is some escape. In fact, too much sauce can actually HINDER the most important escape of all! Then Paul gives the better alternative in the verses that follow in Ephesians 5.
