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A Little Wine
Today, in 5:23 Paul gives a very personal and yet strange command to Timothy: drink a little wine. Why would he say this? What does it mean? Here's a briefer thought from NIVAC:
"The most natural explanation for Paul’s comments in verse 23 about wine is that his mention of purity provides a bridge to the issue of abstinence. The dangers of excess drinking were well known in the ancient world....according to the Pastorals elders were simply to avoid drunkenness or addiction (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7). It is natural that Timothy would question whether he should take wine at all." [1]
The LABC comments further:
"Perhaps Paul feared that his previous advice, “Keep yourself pure” (5:22), could be interpreted too rigidly by Timothy, and Paul wanted Timothy to understand that purity and asceticism were not necessarily related. Perhaps Timothy was avoiding any connection to drunkenness so as to keep the qualifications for an elder (3:3). There is evidence that the expression drinking only water was a term used by prohibitionists within extreme ascetic groups.
Perhaps drinking water of poor quality (water did not come clear and clean from the tap in those days) had led to Timothy’s stomach problem and frequent illnesses, so he should stop drinking only water. Paul’s counsel here was to make use of alcohol for its medicinal value.
Those who come to this text for either open permission to use alcohol or for prohibition against the use of alcohol will be forced to meet on a middle ground. Paul has in fact stated a limited application for alcohol. Within this letter, he has already expressed the other extreme by insisting that those in leadership positions not be “drunkards” (3:3). The distance is great between “a little wine for the stomach” and drunkenness, but some know all too well how quickly that ground can be covered and what destructive results there can be. The validity of the case for either total abstention from or some degree of consumption of alcohol must be constructed from other principles (such as freedom, self-control, moderation, discipline, etc.), and may well have to rely more honestly on personal, situational, and cultural factors.
Whatever the extent of Paul’s advice here, it gives us insight into Timothy. Paul’s kind words to his dear friend show his concern for Timothy’s physical well-being. It also demonstrates his awareness that people in ministry function as whole beings, and that dysfunctions in mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical areas take their toll on effectiveness."
So basically Paul is telling Timothy that he doesn't need to be ascetic about the issue, but needs to take care of himself. A little wine does not make a drunkard.
I appreciate the thoughts from LABC because it recognizes that there are different situations that each person in ministry is in. As for myself, I abstain from alcohol. The Bible is VERY clear that it is wrong and sinful to get drunk - there is no doubt about that. I don't believe it is wrong to drink a little - my reasons are different. The situation I am in as a pastor places me in front of people and my actions are often examined. I also know that there are many people who are currently dealing with or have in the past dealt with alcoholism and I don't want to be the person that leads them back into it. I would never want anyone to say: "Since my pastor does it, it must be okay" and harm themselves as a result. In addition, my close work with youth is part of the decision as well. It seems really weird to say "Don't drink everyone" to them if I'm drinking. Again - I don't think it's wrong, but I don't think that it is wise in my situation.
That being said, there are many that are in serious sin in this area. I'll repeat it again: the Bible is very clear that drunkenness is wrong. Don't make excuses. Don't deny what you're doing: face it and repent. I know this is a sensitive issue, but one that needs to be dealt with.
Questions? Comments?
A Little Wine
Today, in 5:23 Paul gives a very personal and yet strange command to Timothy: drink a little wine. Why would he say this? What does it mean? Here's a briefer thought from NIVAC:
"The most natural explanation for Paul’s comments in verse 23 about wine is that his mention of purity provides a bridge to the issue of abstinence. The dangers of excess drinking were well known in the ancient world....according to the Pastorals elders were simply to avoid drunkenness or addiction (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7). It is natural that Timothy would question whether he should take wine at all." [1]
The LABC comments further:
"Perhaps Paul feared that his previous advice, “Keep yourself pure” (5:22), could be interpreted too rigidly by Timothy, and Paul wanted Timothy to understand that purity and asceticism were not necessarily related. Perhaps Timothy was avoiding any connection to drunkenness so as to keep the qualifications for an elder (3:3). There is evidence that the expression drinking only water was a term used by prohibitionists within extreme ascetic groups.
Perhaps drinking water of poor quality (water did not come clear and clean from the tap in those days) had led to Timothy’s stomach problem and frequent illnesses, so he should stop drinking only water. Paul’s counsel here was to make use of alcohol for its medicinal value.
Those who come to this text for either open permission to use alcohol or for prohibition against the use of alcohol will be forced to meet on a middle ground. Paul has in fact stated a limited application for alcohol. Within this letter, he has already expressed the other extreme by insisting that those in leadership positions not be “drunkards” (3:3). The distance is great between “a little wine for the stomach” and drunkenness, but some know all too well how quickly that ground can be covered and what destructive results there can be. The validity of the case for either total abstention from or some degree of consumption of alcohol must be constructed from other principles (such as freedom, self-control, moderation, discipline, etc.), and may well have to rely more honestly on personal, situational, and cultural factors.
Whatever the extent of Paul’s advice here, it gives us insight into Timothy. Paul’s kind words to his dear friend show his concern for Timothy’s physical well-being. It also demonstrates his awareness that people in ministry function as whole beings, and that dysfunctions in mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical areas take their toll on effectiveness."
So basically Paul is telling Timothy that he doesn't need to be ascetic about the issue, but needs to take care of himself. A little wine does not make a drunkard.
I appreciate the thoughts from LABC because it recognizes that there are different situations that each person in ministry is in. As for myself, I abstain from alcohol. The Bible is VERY clear that it is wrong and sinful to get drunk - there is no doubt about that. I don't believe it is wrong to drink a little - my reasons are different. The situation I am in as a pastor places me in front of people and my actions are often examined. I also know that there are many people who are currently dealing with or have in the past dealt with alcoholism and I don't want to be the person that leads them back into it. I would never want anyone to say: "Since my pastor does it, it must be okay" and harm themselves as a result. In addition, my close work with youth is part of the decision as well. It seems really weird to say "Don't drink everyone" to them if I'm drinking. Again - I don't think it's wrong, but I don't think that it is wise in my situation.
That being said, there are many that are in serious sin in this area. I'll repeat it again: the Bible is very clear that drunkenness is wrong. Don't make excuses. Don't deny what you're doing: face it and repent. I know this is a sensitive issue, but one that needs to be dealt with.
Questions? Comments?
[1] Walter L. Liefeld, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 196.
[2] Bruce B. Barton, David Veerman and Neil S. Wilson, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1993), 112-13.
[2] Bruce B. Barton, David Veerman and Neil S. Wilson, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1993), 112-13.
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