Bible Thoughts

July 11, 1999

These instructions to Timothy have been oft used to try to justify "social drinking" or a "drink before/after dinner." The use of beverage alcohol by Christians has been an issue over the years. At times, there seems to be no problem in regard to the practice, but, at times someone will refer to this passage to justify an occasional drink. Is Paul really telling Timothy that it is acceptable to God to engage in the drinking of beverage alcohol?

Whatever Paul instructed Timothy to do, it was for hisstomach's sake. If it was beverage alcohol, it only approves use by one who has stomach problems and other "infirmities." It says nothing about an occasional drink in a social situation.

One of the problems encountered, if Paul is encouraging Timothy to drink an alcoholic beverage, is that alcohol will irritate a bad stomach rather than help it. Several years ago, when this subject came up, the author asked a highly respected physician who is a Christian(and now an elder) what affect alcohol had on the stomach. He pointed out that it was an irritant and would only make the problem worse. One of the items that a person with a bad stomach will avoid is beverage alcohol. However, pure grape juice does have health benefits, including a benefit to the stomach. Can we imagine that Paul would tell Timothy to do something that would increase his problem?

For argument's sake, grant that the wine of which Paul speaks was an intoxicant. The reason for drinking it was medicinal and not as a beverage. Not this passage, nor any other passage in the New Testament, will encourage social drinking of alcoholic beverages.

In a discussion with a college professor in years past, he stated that "wine is wine is wine." What he was trying to prove was that wine was always an intoxicant. Such is not true as is evident from the material presented in this article. Yet, for the general public, they have been convinced that if you use the word wine, it means one with alcohol.

Several years ago, a man by the name of William Patton wrote a book entitled, Bible Wines. The book contains some valuable research into the wines of New Testament times. The author points out that oinos(oinos), the word that is translated wine in the New Testament, refers to the product of the grape. The word itself does not imply intoxicant. The contextual use of the word wine will define whether it is an intoxicant or not. Quoting from other scholars, Mr. Patton points out,

As both yayin(Hebrew) and oinos(Greek) are generic words, they designate the juice of the grape in all its stages...Wine is generic, just as are the words groceries, hardware, merchandise, fruit, grain and other words.(p. 62)

In Hebrew, Chaldee, Greek, Syriac, Arabic, Latin, and English, the words for wine in all these languages are originally, and always, and inclusively, applied to the blood of the grape in its primitive and natural condition, as well, subsequently, as to that juice both boiled and fermented.

The book, Bible Wines, also supplies many other evidences that the word wine does not imply alcohol, but points out that the ancient world could, and did, preserve grape juice from fermentation.

Those who seek justification for a glass of an intoxicant at a meal or in a social situation, will point to Jesus replenishing the "wine" at the marriage feast. Think, brethren! Can you envision the Lord making six waterpots of an intoxicant for a bunch of folks who had already consumed what was previously available? According to John 2:10, the participants spoke of men who would "drunk freely" of this beverage. If you drink freely of modern "wines"--you get intoxicated. Again: Can any disciple imagine the Lord making something that would cause such a condition?

In a world that drinks and drives, endangering other people; in a world in which alcohol is involved in domestic violence; in a world in which young people become addicted to alcohol early in life; in a world where violence and pain are often tied to alcohol: the only safe and sane path is for the Christian to abstain. Can you name one thing that beverage alcohol offers that benefits the individual?

Wait, preacher--what if a physician prescribes alcohol for treatment of a physical condition? Such may take place occasionally, and would fall into the category of prescribing other like drugs for medicinal purposes. In our age, there is usually something far superior to alcohol for treatment of one's ailments. There is a world of difference in a prescription from a physician and a social drink.

Even Solomon warned of the dangers of alcohol. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise"(Proverbs 20:1).

For the disciple of Christ, abstinence is a proper stand in a world that seems bent upon drinking itself into oblivion. In fact, can one good thing be said about social drinking? Solomon also said, "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it sparkleth in the cup, when it goeth down smoothly; At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder"(Proverbs 23:31-32). Need we say more?