Great debate rages within Christian circles as to whether or not Christians should drink alcohol. To some extent, the issue is cultural. Christians in certain countries, regions, or denominations do not think twice before consuming alcohol. Others shun the very thought of consuming it. However, culture should not be the Christian’s guide; Scripture should. So, what does the Bible say about Christians drinking alcohol?
Scripture is clear that drinking alcohol is not a sin. In fact, it has some positive effects. With that being said, Scripture also issues a dire warning on the dangers of drinking alcohol and absolutely forbids Christians from getting drunk or being addicted to alcohol.
Wine is Alcoholic in the Bible
Because so many passages throughout the Bible mention wine, the first place to begin our discussion on drinking alcohol is whether or not the wine mentioned is grape juice or alcoholic. It may surprise some reading this article, but many pastors and preachers have argued that the wine in the Bible was non-alcoholic. The reason we need to discern whether “wine” throughout the Bible refers to an alcoholic beverage or not is because Scripture speaks about wine more often than “strong drink,” which clearly refers to alcoholic beverages.
Wine in the Old Testament
The Hebrew word translated “wine” throughout the Old Testament is יַיִן. The Hebrew יַיִן clearly refers to alcoholic wine as evidenced by its pairing with getting drunk. Note the following examples:
- “He [Noah] drank of the wine (יַיִן) and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent” (Gen 9:21, emphasis added).
- “These also reel with wine (יַיִן) and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine (יַיִן), they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment” (Is 28:7).
- “If a man should go about and utter wind and lies, saying, “I will preach to you of wine (יַיִן) and strong drink,” he would be the preacher for this people!” (Mic 2:11, emphasis added).
Wine in the New Testament
The Greek word for wine in the New Testament is οἶνος. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG) defines οἶνος as follows: “a beverage made from fermented juice of the grape, wine.” Fermented grape juice is alcoholic. Further, the Greek term for unfermented grape juice is τρύξ, a word not used in the New Testament.
Further evidence that οἶνος refers to alcoholic wine is its pairing with drunkenness. Note the following examples:
- “and [the master of the feast] said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine (οἶνος) first, and when people have become drunk (μεθύσκω), then the poor wine (οἶνος). But you have kept the good wine until now’” (John 2:10).
- “And do not get drunk (μεθύσκω) by wine (οἶνος), for that is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit” (Eph 5:18).
- “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine (οἶνος) of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk (μεθύσκω)” (Rev 17:1b–2).
“Wine” in Modern English Refers to an Alcoholic Beverage
The final proof that “wine” in the Bible refers to an alcoholic beverage is that the term “wine” in modern English refers to an alcoholic beverage. The translators of the Bible would have used “grape juice” if יַיִן or οἶνος referred to non-alcoholic grape juice. However, because it clearly refers to alcoholic wine, the translators of the Bible correctly translated the Hebrew and Greek terms with the English equivalent “wine,” which always refers to an alcoholic beverage.
Now that we are clear that wine in the Bible refers to an alcoholic beverage, let’s discern if Christians should drink wine or any other alcoholic beverage.
God’s People May Drink Alcohol
That God’s people are allowed to drink wine and alcoholic beverages is a given throughout Scripture. I encourage you to do a search of “wine” throughout the Bible and read every passage where it is located. You will notice that God’s people have always consumed alcohol. Because this article addresses Christians drinking alcohol, let me focus on one passage that I believe clearly affirms the drinking of alcoholic beverages for Christians: John 2:1–11.
In John 2:1–11, Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding. Jesus and his disciples accepted the invitation and attended the wedding (John 2:1–2). During the wedding feast, the wine (οἶνος) ran out and Jesus’ mother asks him to get some more (2:3–5). Jesus then proceeds to turn six stone jars holding 20–30 gallons of water into wine (οἶνος) (2:6–10). That is approximately 120–180 gallons of wine! It wasn’t just any wine, either, it was high quality wine (2:10).
John 2:1–11 reveals that drinking alcohol is not a sin. If it were a sin, then Jesus would not have made the wine for the wedding guests to drink because he would be causing them to sin, something Jesus never does. Further, by making the wine, Jesus approves of drinking wine and alcohol. At the very least, Jesus approves of drinking wine (alcohol) at wedding celebrations or any kind of celebration.
Alcohol Can Be Beneficial
Related to the precious point, alcohol can be beneficial and be used for good. King Lemuel in Proverbs 31:6–7 says that wine and strong drink should be given to those who are dying and are in distress for the purpose of easing their suffering and helping them forget their pain and troubles:
“Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.”
PROVERBS 31:6–7
Further, Paul advises Timothy to have a little wine for the sake of his stomach (probably digestive issues) and other illnesses:
“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”
1 TIMOTHY 5:23
I have heard many Christian preachers say that because we have medicine in the 21st century, Christians should not follow Paul’s advice to Timothy. However, there was also medicine in Timothy’s day in the first century. It might not have been as good as what we have today, but it was still present. Regardless, 1 Timothy 5:23 is not about medicine, but wine. Wine can be used to settle a stomach and help with illnesses. Because modern Christians are in the same place of salvation history as Timothy (disciples of Jesus, under the New Covenant, members of the church, and citizens of the Kingdom of God), Paul’s advice to Timothy applies to us today. Christians may take some wine for their stomach issues and illnesses.
Thus, we see from Scripture that alcohol can have some positive effects. It can be used to ease the suffering and troubles of those dying and in distress, and it can be used to settle the stomach and ease other illnesses.
Alcohol Can Ruin Your Life: The Warning against Drinking
Although there are benefits to drinking alcohol, there is also a strong warning against drinking alcohol in Scripture. Note the following passages from Proverbs:
- “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Prov 20:1).
- “Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Prov 21:17).
- “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. ‘They struck me,’ you will say, ‘but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink’” (Prov 23:29–35).
Proverbs is clear that alcohol will hinder a person from gaining wealth, and will result in sorrow and strife in the life of the person who loves alcohol and is led astray by it. The warning is loud and clear, do not let alcohol get the better of you. For this reason, it is wise for Christians to drink in moderation and stop consuming alcohol altogether if they believe they are becoming addicted or controlled by alcohol. The reality is that many Christians have become slaves to alcohol, and it has ruined their lives. So, Christian, take the warning of Proverbs seriously.
Christians are Forbidden from Drunkenness or Addiction to Alcohol
What is exceptionally clear in the New Testament is that Christians are expressly forbidden from getting drunk and from being addicted to alcohol. Yes, it is a sin to get drunk and be addicted to alcohol:
- “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you’” (1 Cor 5:11–13, emphasis added).
- “And do not get drunk by wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit” (Eph 5:18, emphasis added).
- “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be . . . not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1 Tim 3:1–3, emphasis added; also see Prov 31:4–5).
- “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain” (1 Tim 3:8, emphasis added).
- “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain” (Tit 1:7, emphasis added; also see Prov 31:4–5).
- “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good” (Tit 2:3, emphasis added).
The witness of the New Testament is unanimous and clear. Christians and Christian leaders are not allowed to get drunk or be addicted to alcohol. In fact, Christians are not even allowed to associate with drunkards who profess to be Christian (1 Cor 5:11–13). As such, all Christians should drink in moderation (if they drink at all) and take every measure to ensure they do not get drunk and that they do not become addicted to alcohol.
Summary
The Bible affirms the drinking of wine and alcohol in certain situations, such as at celebrations, when a person feels ill, or when a person is dying or in deep distress. Thus, drinking alcohol is not a sin. With the affirmation, however, comes a dire warning. Alcohol can take hold of you and ruin your life. Thus, drink in moderation if at all. Finally, the New Testament is clear that Christians must not get drunk or become addicted to alcohol, for that is a sin.