Strong Drink
May 30, 2012
In the Church, there are some who are of the belief that it is okay to partake, in moderation, of alcoholic beverages. Two of the Biblical claims to support their theology include: Jesus’ turning the water into wine (John 2:1-11), and Paul’s admonition to “use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23).There are, however, other definitions for the English word “wine” than exclusively “fermented drink,” and, also, the Greek word for wine, “oinos,” has other meanings than “drinks solely alcoholic in nature.”
In his book, WINE IN THE BIBLE: A BIBLICAL STUDY ON THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, Samuele Bacchiocchi writes:
For example, the 1955 Funk & Wagnalls New “Standard” Dictionary of the English Language defines “wine” as follows: “1. The fermented juice of the grape: in loose language the juice of the grape whether fermented or not.” This definition shows that forty years ago the loose usage of “wine” referred to “the juice of the grape whether fermented or not.” It is noteworthy that even the more recent New Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language (1971) defines “must” as “Wine or juice pressed from the grapes but not fermented.” This definition clearly equates “wine” with grape juice.
The 1896 Webster’s International Dictionary of the English Language which defines “wine” as “the expressed juice of grapes, especially when fermented . . . a beverage . . . prepared from grapes by squeezing out their juice, and (usually) allowing it to ferment.” This definition is historically accurate, since it recognizes that the basic meaning of “wine” is “the expressed juice of grapes,” which is usually, but not always, allowed to ferment.
“The problem,” as Robert Teachout points out, “is that people have taken the very usual meaning of the word (whether in Hebrew, Greek, Latin or English)—as an intoxicating beverage—and have made it the only definition of the word. That is incorrect scholarship! It is inaccurate both biblically and secularly, and it is inaccurate in the English language historically” http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/books/wine_in_the_bible/2.html
But if the aforementioned citation was not enough, the Bible, itself, is full of Scripture which speaks against the consumption of alcohol. Solomon gives one of the earliest examples when he pens, “Wine is a mocker and beer and brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise”(Proverbs 20:1). And the Apostle Paul speaks frequently against drunkards and drinking. For example, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
I think, instinctively, most Christians know this truth already. The enemy, however, has used some to incorrectly use and interpret the wedding in Cana passage and the 1 Timothy 5:23 section.
Of course, many will disagree with me on this issue. But here is an undeniable truth of life: “It is impossible to get drunk if one does not drink.”
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Scott, you have said alot. Clink glass; cheers!
I must point out, Scott, the Bible, itself, is not full of Scripture which speaks against the consumption of alcohol. All of the Scripture that you cited speaks against drunkenness. Grapes were fermented, in biblical times, to preserve their juice rather than to create an intoxicating beverage. Remember, there was no refrigeration in the ancient world. At the Lord’s Supper during Passover, months after the grape harvest, the only grape juice to be had would have been either fermented or spoiled.
I am all for abstinence from the consumption of alcohol. I, myself, do not drink and discourage others from doing so. However, It is unnecessary for well-meaning Christians to fabricate a ridiculous scenario where biblical wine was non-alcoholic. To do so only invites valid criticism and makes us all look foolish.
Good morning, Chaplain Lampe. It is always good to hear from you.
I could give you about 75 passages of Scripture, both from New and Old Testaments, against alcohol consumption and drunkenness (whether or not that would make the Bible “full of Scripture” on this subject is up for debate).
Secondly, the ancients did not have electricity, but there were means of cooling that these people made use of (a little research will bear this out). We, here in the U.S., used ingenious methods for keeping things cool long before modern refrigeration.
You brought up the subject of the Lord’s Supper which I did not comment on. I mentioned the fact that some use the “wedding at Cana” and 1 Timothy 5:23 as a license for drinking. Since we really don’t know (we weren’t there), it would be impossible for us to know what type of beverage (alcoholic or non) was used at these two events (Lord’s Supper and the Cana wedding). We can ask the Lord when we get to heaven.
The point that I made, with the help of Samuele’s book, is that to “assume” that when one sees the word “wine” in English, Hebrew or Greek that it means the fermented kind every time, “makes us all look foolish.” Hopefully, this makes clear my position on this issue. God bless you.
Hello again, Chaplain Lampe. Probably, the Scripture verse that, specifically, speaks against not just drunkenness but alcohol consumption, is Proverbs 23:31, “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright” (KJV). This last phrase, “moveth itself aright, ” speaks of the distilling or fermentation process.
Scott, if you look at the verse before and after Proverbs 23:31, it seems clear to me that this reference is a warning to those who lust after wine — who over-indulge with no regard for the consequences. I agree that the Bible clearly condemns drunkenness. I also agree that abstaining from alcohol is a great fence to build in order to avoid that particular sin entirely. In fact, I recommend it!
I see no clear biblical prohibition of alcohol. I certainly understand the position many Christians take against the consumption of alcohol. It’s abuse has been the source of countless troubles in this world. I admire those who stand on their convictions concerning this matter. However, we do not need to declare that alcohol prohibition is a biblical mandate in order to take that stand. Nor do we need a list of proof texts supporting that position. Its dangerous to play with anything that can lead to sin.
Scott, I think you make a thought provoking argument. I used to drink, but have chosen to give it up because I know what “a little wine” leads my thoughts to. In my experience, I haven’t met anyone who can control a “little” consumption on a regular basis, and it not affect their judgement. I think that is the real issue here. Can Christians be honest (in this day and time, not early Biblical times) that alcoholic beverages dull our senses of reason.
We can’t go wrong with abstaining from alcohol. God bless you.