What God Says About Drinking Wine (Duet. 14:26; Prov. 20:1)

Plea for an Impartial Study If one yields to what God says; then we will be more confident in conclusions (Prov. 14:6; 1 Pet. 3:15). Among God’s people, some defend the drinking of alcoholic beverages. In opposition, some offer poor scriptural arguments (Mk. 7:7-9). We must get back to studying our Bibles (2 Tim. 2:15). How humble are we (Jn. 8:32; 1 Cor. 3:18)?

Acknowledge Subject’s Challenges The Bible condemns drunkenness (1Cor. 6:10; Gal. 5:21; Prov. 20:1, 1Cor. 5:11; Rom. 13:13). Challenge comes in dealing with social drinking: Those who want to condemn drinking (Prov. 20:1, 23:31). Those who want to drink (Deut. 14:25-27). The word translated “wine” is the same in all three above passages. The word translated “strong drink” are the same in both passages (Prov. 20:1, Deut. 14:26).

Different Words Speak of the Grape & its Juice יין, yayin, yah'-yin – Most common, comprehensive word in the O.T. It is used in a good sense: (Gen. 14:18; Lev. 23:13; Deut. 14:26). The same word, however, is also used in a bad sense: (Gen. 9:21; Prov. 20:1).

Different Words Speak of the Grape & its Juice תּירשׁ תּירושׁ, tı̂yrôsh tı̂yrôsh, tee-roshe', tee-roshe' – the “must”, freshly pressed juice of the grape. Most of its references are good because it is fresh grape juice: (Deut. 7:13; Isa. 62:8-9). The only reference in which this word is found in a bad sense is Hosea 4:11.

Different Words Speak of the Grape & its Juice חמר, chămar, kham-ar' – is the blood of the grape. Many regard this and tee-roshe’ as synonymous. Used in a good sense (Deut. 32:14). Used also in a bad sense (Dan. 5:1,2, 4, 23).

Different Words Speak of the Grape & its Juice שׁכר, shêkâr ,shay-kawr' – which means strong drink. Used in a good sense (Num. 28:7; Deut. 14:26). Used also in a bad sense (Prov. 20:1).

Different Words Speak of the Grape & its Juice עסיס, ‛âsı̂ys, aw-sees' – which is fresh wine or juice just pressed out. Used in a good sense: (Amos 9:13). Used in a bad sense: (Isaiah 49:26).

Different Words Speak of the Grape & its Juice οἶνος, oinos, oy'-nos This word is used in a good sense in the N.T.: (Luke 7:33-34). But the word is also used in a bad sense (Eph. 5:18).

Different Words Speak of the Grape & its Juice γλεῦκος, gleukos, glyoo'-kos Used only in a bad sense: (Acts 2:13). γέννημα, gennēma; ἄμπελος, ampelos: the “fruit of the vine” (Luke 22:18). Jesus employed while instituting the Lord’s Supper.

Possible Arguments Vs. Responsible Reasoning We must find a solution that reconciles these two viewpoints (positive vs. negative). Believe that the Bible contradicts itself?! Conclude the distinction has to do with how much was drunk? Favorite argument of the social drinker. Stresses ONLY the amount drunk, NOT how much alcoholic content, NOR how it may have been drunk to minimize the alcoholic content.

Possible Arguments Vs. Responsible Reasoning Bible wine had a RANGE of fermentation, from none to moderate. This can be proven (Cf. Matt. 9:17; Eph. 5:18). In all passages where we read of “oinos” in a good sense, there is the possibility that it refers to the fresh grape juice, and in all passages where we read of it in a negative sense, there is the possibility that it refers to the fermented grape juice.

Possible Arguments Vs. Responsible Reasoning Wine in ancient times could be drunk in different ways, some intoxicating, some not. There’s a lion’s share of evidence proving that many of the ancients were very concerned with avoiding the potential intoxicating effects of grape juice. (Cf. Paul Earnhart’s article, “Biblical Wine: Blessing or Curse”). They used various methods of storage, and various methods of drinking the juice, to avoid intoxication.

Possible Arguments Vs. Responsible Reasoning The best explanation of how we can have two very different views of wine: Wine had range of fermentation: none/little, to a considerable amount. People also used various methods of drinking that offset (neutralized) the alcoholic content. Thus, strong drink, having a higher degree of alcohol, if drunk straight would be condemned (Prov. 20:1). But, if it were mixed with enough water to neutralize the alcohol, then it could be drunk safely & considered a blessing (Deut. 14:25-27).

Ancient Vs. Modern Alcohol Content In Bible days, process of distillation hadn’t been discovered yet. The maximum alcoholic content of Palestinian wines was about 8 %. Therefore, the “strong drink” that the Bible condemns (Prov. 20:1) would have had no more than 8% alcoholic content! Drinks today commonly contain much higher contents than ancient wines.

Ancient Vs. Modern Alcohol Content Wines (8-14%) Sparkling Wine 8– 12% Table Wine 9–14% Retsina 10-11% Dry White 10-12% Cabernet 11-14% Barley Wine 11– 15% Fortified Wines (16– 22%) Sherry 17–22% Marsala Wine 15-17% Madeira Wine 15- 18% Vermouth 15-18% Port Wine 16-20% Bum Wine 15-20%

Ancient Vs. Modern Alcohol Content Spirits (20-70%) Light Liqueurs 15-25% Vodka/Whiskey/Rum 40% Cask Strength Whiskey 60% Absinthe 55–90% Neutral Grain Spirits 95% Rectified Spirits 96% Absolute Alcohol 96-98% Beers (3-10%) Pilsner 3–6% ESB (Bitter) 3-6% Lager 4-5% Porter 4-5% Brown Ale 4-6% IPA (India Pale Ale) 6-7% Stout 5-10%

Rightly Dividing Scripture Paul instructed Timothy to “use a little wine” for his stomach’s sake (1 Tim. 5:23). Timothy was literally a “water-drinker”, meaning that he drank only water. Paul told him not to drink just water, but to drink a little wine for his stomach’s sake. There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER to prove the oinos Paul suggested for Timothy to drink was fermented wine.

Rightly Dividing Scripture Paul wrote: Elders not “given to wine” (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7). Deacons not given to “much wine” (1 Tim. 3:8). Aged women not given to “much wine” (Tit. 2:3). 1st century Christians were very concerned with avoiding potential intoxicating effects of grape juice. Paul stressed import of soberness. These verses do not establish proof that Paul was teaching that it’s all right to drink socially of fermented wine!

Rightly Dividing Scripture 1 Peter 4:3: excess of wine, revellings, banquetings. Banquetings: rendered “drinking parties” in the NKJV. Defined as a drinking bout or carousal (Strong). This is the word that MOST CLEARLY refers to the habit of social drinking. Peter says, you did enough of that when you were sinners!

Rightly Dividing Scripture Luke 5:39: The Pharisees were married to their traditions, and resisted the things Jesus had to say. Men used to drinking what had mellowed with age would object to the fresher, stronger tastes of the new wine. Yet the new, sweet wine was a favorite drink among the Palestinians (Prov. 3:10). Jesus was making the point that, whoever preferred the old wine, would not be thinking rationally. The point of this passage is NOT that, the more fermented the wine, the better.

Closing Thoughts The wines we read of in Bible days were a maximum of 14% alcohol, and Palestinian wines no more than 8%. By these standards, every modern alcoholic beverage from beer to whiskey is strong drink. Suppose one says, “what if I cut my drinks with water, now can I drink it?” You still have to buy it. Your influence will be the same as those who drink strong drink (2 Sam. 12:14; Phil. 2:15). Your children will grow up perfectly comfortable around strong drink, and will have even less resistance to the idea than you.

Closing Thoughts Wine is found in two contexts in the Bible, good and bad. Use of good wine involved the drinking of the grape juice unfermented as nearly as possible. Also involved the mixing of large quantities of water with the wine to dilute the alcohol. The evidence, both biblical and extra- biblical, suggests that the good people of society sought to avoid alcoholic content.

Closing Thoughts Christians were commanded not to participate in situations where excess was possible (1 Pet. 4:3). What would such people do in a day of advanced ways for keeping juice fresh & methods of refrigeration? The Bible gives no support to think Jesus drank intoxicating wine, or that He encouraged anyone else to. Christians should abstain from the drinking of alcoholic beverages, completely.