Wine and Wellness

“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1Tim 5:23).

Caution! The following may cause confusion, and in some cases, anger and irritability. Then again, a proper reading of Scripture will often do that. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he brings up the subject of alcohol. Since this is the Bible, the apostle MUST be telling Pastor Tim to be a teetotaler, right? Wrong! In a verse that freaks out a good many fundamentalists, Paul tells Tim to make wine a regular part of his routine. What sort of madness is this?!? The next thing you know, somebody’s going to say the Bible encourages us to dance! (If that’s you, I’ve got some bad news for you.)

Here in a personal note to his pastoral protege, Paul writes, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (v23). This is no call for holy happy hour. Tim had some very particular health issues. The apostle wanted him to be proactive in his wellness. The illness is chronic. Stomach problems and a general sickliness. The treatment is simple. Wine. The dosage is important. Just a sip or two. 

Don’t forget the context of the verse. Paul is sending Tim a note of instruction as one pastor to another. The apostle has placed him as the servant/leader of the Ephesian church, a large, multicultural congregation on the west coast of what we know today as Turkey. Paul personally planted this church during his third Mediterranean tour (Acts 19) and actually stayed there for three years (Acts 20:30). 

At some point after he left town, false teachers weaseled their way into the flock and distracted folks from following Jesus with all sorts of bizarro myths, genealogical rabbit trails, and some doctrine that was downright demonic (1Tim 1:3-7; 4:1-3). With Paul on the road to Macedonia, the apostle leaves Timothy in charge to continue the process of getting the church back on track. Much of the letter has to do with practical steps of pastoral leadership like encouraging prayer in the church (1Tim 2:1-8), finding new leaders of integrity (1Tim 3:1-13; 5:17-22), and establishing a system of assisted living Gospel style (1Tim 5:3-16).

A lot of this note is also instruction for a pastor who’s up to his eyeballs in the mess of ministry. It’s baptism under fire and on the job training. But Paul doesn’t leave Tim hanging and has important points for how to teach the Bible, stay focused on the Gospel, utilize his spiritual gifts, and deepen his walk with Jesus (1Tim 4:16-16). The apostle doesn’t ignore the physical side of the young pastor’s life. “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (v23). If you don’t take care of yourself physically, you can’t take care of the church spiritually.

Shall we get the alcohol discussion out of the way now? There are many denominations and faith traditions that maintain a zero tolerance policy on drinking alcohol. While I appreciate the idea, I have a really hard time using Scripture to back that up. All throughout the Bible, wine flows freely and God doesn’t exactly stop pouring when we hit the New Testament. As a matter of fact, Jesus’ very first miracle is to keep the party rolling at a wedding reception by making more wine (Jn 2:1-11). Christ regularly taught using wine as part of His illustrations (Lk 5:37-39; Mk 2:22). He was such a regular guest at parties that He earned a rather dubious reputation (Mt 11:19). And you can’t ignore Jesus’ use of Merlot at the Last Supper (Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 14:23; 1Cor 11:23-32). Jesus made it. Jesus drank it. And He goes so far as to say He won’t drink again until we’re all with Him in eternity (Mk 14:25). 

Don’t buy the lie that the wine in the Bible is little more than grape juice. If that’s the case, why are so many people getting wasted on Welch’s? There’s the time after the flood where Noah gets so drunk that he passes out naked (Gen 9:20-23), or is that “nekkid”? I wonder why they never taught us that part of Noah’s story in Sunday School? Over and over, Solomon warns his son against overconsumption. Be VERY careful when it comes to wine and beer (Prov 20:1; 23:21). Don’t hang out with folks who are always getting hammered (Prov 23:19-20). The king goes so far as describing what it’s like not just to be drunk but hung over (Prov 23:29-33).

Paul cautions the Romans not to spend the night on the town barhopping (Rom 13:13). Unrepentant alcoholics and addicts don’t have a spot in God’s kingdom (1Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21). Don’t miss the fact there were plenty of folks in recovery who were part of the Corinthian church (1Cor 6:11)! People with addiction issues have no place in church leadership (1Tim 3:2-3, 8; Titus 1:7). And if you’re going to get drunk on anything, make sure it’s the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18)! If it’s a problem for you, avoid it. If you’re able to enjoy a glass, don’t get over-served. The bottom line is we also can’t ignore the dangers of alcohol and addiction.

But Paul’s point has less to do with whether or not a believer should drink wine but taking care of yourself physically. Remember, Tim and Paul are old friends. They met on the apostle’s second tour (Acts 16:1-3). The man from Tarsus is familiar with his traveling companion’s health issues. He has tender stomach as well as other problems that can’t be ignored. One way to head off any further problems is a regular does of wine. 

Paul was just following the guidelines for wellness back in the Greco-Roman world. Hippocrates said, “Wine is an appropriate article for mankind, both for the healthy body and for the ailing man.” And not much has changed a couple of thousand years later. According to Webmd, wine is good for digestive health. Believe it or not, scientists have just released a study saying that the resveratrol in a glass of red wine has the health benefits of one hour at the gym. Just a word of warning. Drinking the whole bottle of Cab by yourself is NOT the same as busting a P90X workout.

The bigger issue here is physical wellness. If your doctor has prescribed you medications, take them. If you need supplements or OTC meds, use them. Get regular exercise. Take care of your body. Paul tells his friends in Rome, “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship” (Rom 12:1). He uses a word that describes our PHYSICAL form. Remember, we are fully integrated beings, created in both soul AND body. Since my physical body is the temple of the God’s Spirit (1Cor 6:19), I need to keep the joint in tiptop condition! If you don’t take care of yourself physically, you can’t take care of others spiritually.

An Endangered Species

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good” (v3).

Cougars are cool. At least that’s what movies, television, and novels will tell you these days. Certainly you’re aware of the species. Older women on the make for younger men. Older women who seem to say, “If you can’t say anything good about somebody, come sit by me!” Older women who say it’s always wine o’clock. These big cats are clearly on the prowl on the island of Crete. Paul tells Titus to make these cougars an endangered species. 

Before we watch an episode of “The Real Housewives of Crete,” lets remember the context of this verse. The Gospel of Jesus has transformed thousands of lives on this Mediterranean island. The Apostle Paul has moved on to his next mission in the Greek seaport of Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). He’s given his protege Titus a three-point plan to complete before he hits the road himself. Appoint elders in all of the local churches to fill the leadership vacuum (Titus 1:5). Eliminate the threat posed by Jewish false teachers (Titus 1:10-11). Set up a self-replicating system of discipleship so that new believers will learn what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). A big part of that is declawing Cretan cougars.

Just after instructing Titus to teach senior saints to be Old Man Strong, Paul tells him that “older women are likewise to be reverent in behavior” (v3). In other words, they are to pursue the same sort of qualities and virtues as the older men. In other words, “sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness” (Titus 2:2). They should live lives that are marked by strong faith, strong love, and strong endurance. That’s what it means to be “reverent” (v3). This is the Greek word hieroprepes. The term literally means “to stand out as holy.” It describes behavior that is fitting for what is sacred. One who lives in awe of God. A person devoted to their faith. If this is the goal then it’s not to hard to imagine that these women are just the opposite. Drunk. Undignified. Out of control. Only trying to satisfy their passions and desires. You know, cougars. Let’s be clear about one thing. Titus can’t cage these cats. Neither can Paul. Only Jesus has the power to redeem and transform our lives through His gracious Gospel.

Gossip is clearly a problem among these desperate housewives. Paul tells the Big T that they should no longer be “slanderers” (v3). A closer look at the original language reveals something more diabolical. Literally. This is the Greek term diabolos. It’s the word that writers of the New Testament use as the name for Satan 34 times! Translators use the word devil. It’s somebody who lives to gossip. An accuser. To be a gossip is to be an agent of the enemy. It seems that cougars are closely related to the “devil who prowls around like a roaring lion” (1Pet 5:8). Can we talk frankly for a moment? This isn’t limited to the ladies. I have a horrible habit of being a gossip. The book of Proverbs is chockfull of warnings against the danger of loose lips (Prov 11:13; 18:8; 10:19; 26:22). It destroys friendships (Prov 16:28). It stokes the fire of arguments (Prov 26:20). Instead of spreading bad news, why don’t we spread the best news? Let’s make the Gospel go viral.

Apparently another is issue is that these older women are “slaves to much wine” (v3). Paul doesn’t say she can’t enjoy a glass of Chardonnay. He is saying that she must not abuse it. A godly woman shouldn’t be under the control of alcohol or any other substances. That includes “momma’s little helper.” Again, this is not just an issue for the older women in the audience. It takes some nimble scriptural gymnastics to say God’s Word prohibits alcohol. It simply tells believers to only worship at the throne of our heavenly King, not the liquor cabinet.

After these godly older women put a cork in both the gossip and the bottle, “they are to teach what is good” (v3). This is actually just one long word (Gr. kalodidaskalos). It literally means “good things teachers.” Paul gives more specific examples in the following verse. Basically, these ladies are to do two things. One on hand, they should be examples. They should model the behavior for others, especially the younger ladies in their lives. On the other hand, they should be actively teaching others. Just as Paul had younger guys like Timothy and Titus in his life, an older woman who follows Jesus should actively pursue similar intentional relationships. Instead of creating more cougars, these ladies are making them an endangered species.

The Gospel of Jesus has the power to declaw the cougar, not just on Crete but all around the world. Let's make them an endangered species.

Drunk & Violent

“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” (v7).

According to the great philosopher and theologian Homer Simpson, you can always count on Lee Marvin. “Wait, wait! Here comes Lee Marvin! He’s always drunk and violent!” While the late actor cashed a career of checks playing liquored up brawlers, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that none of Marvin’s characters would qualify as an elder in the local church. Being an addict or ready to throw down are immediate red flags that you need to get help, not provide spiritual leadership. 

Paul has left his go-to guy Titus on Crete. The grace of Jesus has just rolled over this Mediterranean island like a spiritual tsunami. God has deployed the apostle elsewhere, probably the Greek seaport of Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). To wrap things up, he gives the assignment to his trusted righthand man Titus. He leaves the Big T with a three point objective. Fill the leadership vacuum in local churches by appointing elders (Titus 1:5). Shut down the message of a team of false teachers (Titus 1:10-11). Establish a self-sustaining and replicating process of teaching and discipleship (Titus 2:1-10). Don’t worry about a worship team. Setting up a nursery and children’s ministry aren’t at the top of the list. What are the priorities? Spiritual leadership, correcting false teachers, and sustainable disciple-making. I might be wrong, but these might be the front burner issues for anyone planting a new church.

When it comes to appointing elders, Paul gives Titus a list of qualities, “must haves” and “must NOT haves” (Titus 1:6-9). They should be men of integrity with no hint of scandal. They must be faithful husbands, faithful fathers, and faithful followers of Jesus. They need to always remember that while they watch over the spiritual welfare of believers, they only have their authority because they are under the authority of Christ. Then the apostle turns to the red flags. “He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain” (v7). Is he a self-absorbed hot head? If so, that resume immediately goes in the round file. Does the dude have a addiction issues? Is he looking for a fight? Yeah, these are warning lights of disqualification as well. Jesus isn’t looking for leaders who are drunk and violent. This is His church, not a biker bar.

When describing the “drunkard” (v7), Paul uses the Greek term paroinos. It’s a compound word that literally means “beside (para-) wine (-oinos). Is this somebody that always has an open bottle of wine next to them? But he’s talking about so much more than a bottle of Merlot or Chardonnay. This is someone addicted to alcohol, someone who habitually drinks too much, or someone who drinks to get drunk. Don’t limit this to simply drinking alcohol to excess. Anyone with any sort of physical addiction is unfit for leadership. An elder must be ready to follow Jesus when making tough decisions. He can’t be preoccupied with searching for his next hit, next high, or next hangover. The apostle went on to tell his Ephesian friends not to let mind-altering substances dominate your life. “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). The big point here is whatever fills you, controls you. 

So is Paul telling Titus that spiritual leaders can’t drink alcohol? I think that’s a bit of a stretch. Jesus Himself enjoyed enjoyed a glass of good wine. Shoot, His very first miracle was to keep the wedding reception going in Bethany when the wine ran out (Jn 2:1-11). He used wine to symbolize His shed blood at the Last Supper (Mt 26:27-29). He even said that He looks forward to that great day when we can all enjoy a glass of wine together at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb! What was Paul’s take on alcohol? He instructed his buddy Timothy that having a glass of wine for health reasons (1Tim 5:23). Tim just happened to be a pastor in Ephesus at the time. So it’s really a slippery slope to try and use Scripture to ban elders from taking a drink of alcohol. But let’s be clear here. VERY clear. Any person should be vigilant in avoiding anything that can steal the place of priority that Jesus must have in our lives. As our Lord, Christ is our boss. Not a bottle. Remember, whatever fills you, controls you. 

It’s not surprise that the very next leadership disqualifier Paul lists is being “violent” (v7). They call alcohol “liquid courage” for a reason. Too many times, folks under the influence are looking for a fight. Yeah, this pretty much eliminates any of Lee Marvin’s characters from sitting on the elder board. But this is more than just being a drunken brawler. A closer look at the original language reveals the Greek word plektes. This literally describes a striker, hitter, puncher, or bruiser. Somebody who’s a bully has no place as a leader in Jesus’ church. Believers shouldn’t have to worry that their pastor or leaders might punch them in the face. Paul is also warning spiritual leaders to stop looking for a fight. There is no spiritual gift of aggravation or confrontation. There are plenty of opportunities for that without prowling for a fight. Our leaders should be tough as nails. But they shouldn’t skate around the ice like a hockey goon looking for anyone willing to drop the gloves. 

When it comes to spiritual leaders, you can’t be drunk and violent. Sorry, Lee Marvin.

Under the Influence

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18).

Are you under the influence?  Let me rephrase that.  We’re ALL under the influence of something or someone.  What controls you?  What drives you?  Paul tells us that we should avoid any sort of activity that fogs our brain and dulls our senses.  Instead we’re to load ourselves up on the Spirit of God.  “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (v18).  See, here’s the deal.  Whatever fills you, controls you.  What some folks called “controlled substances” are actually controlling substances.  We’re not just talking about booze.  It’s anything that steals the wheel of command of your life.  Pills.  Drugs.  Weed.  Food.  Sex.  If we’re to be under the influence of anything, let’s make it the Holy Spirit.  

Are you under the influence?  Are you under His influence?

Paul knows all about life in Ephesus.  He knows the impact that alcohol has on folks who live there.  He spent three incredible years there telling everyone about Jesus (Acts 20:31).  Dr. Luke spends an entire chapter of his sequel telling us all about it (Acts 19).  As a key seaport, there’s no doubt that hooch was a big part of daily life in the city.  Ephesus was also the home to a huge temple to the Greek god Artemis.  Worship at the temple was nothing more than a drunken “Eyes Wide Shut” party.  So-called “worshipers” would get liquored up and have sex with the temple hookers.  That’s why local merchants blew their stacks when Paul and his crew started ruining business associated with temple worship by spreading the Good News.  Ephesians were coming under the control of God’s Spirit instead of the booze of pagan idols.  

The apostle continues to describe what life looks like for those who’ve been saved by God’s grace.  What it looks like to “be imitators of God” (Eph 5:1).  What it looks like to “walk in love” like Jesus (Eph 5:2).  What it looks like to “walk as children of light” (Eph 5:8).  What it looks like to “understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph 5:17).  One thing that it DOESN’T look like is to get hammered.  “Do not get drunk with wine” (v18).  The Greek verb here is methusko.  It means to become intoxicated and inebriated, drink or consume anything with no limits.  It’s being unrestrained in any activity, no just drugs and alcohol.  When Jesus cranks up the wedding reception by turning water into fine wine, the host is blown away.  The host knows that after people have “drunk freely (Gr. methusko)” and gotten toasted, folks typically bust out the cheap wine (Jn 2:10).  Christ warns against losing hope in His return and becoming a mean drunk, physically abusing the people who work for you (Lk 12:45).  Paul uses this same word when he cautions the Thessalonians against getting wasted, passing out and missing Christ’s big return (1Th 5:7).  Paul knows that when I hammered, I give up control.  Remember, whatever fills me, controls me.  If I want to be under the control of anything, it should be Jesus and His Spirit.

Are you under the influence?  Are you under His influence?

The Bible is loaded (pun VERY much intended) with warnings against getting drunk (Prov 23:20-21, 29-35; 31:4-5; Is 5:11-12; 28:7-8; 1Cor 5:11; 1Pet 4:3).  We don’t read too far into Genesis before we find the first person getting completely trashed.  Noah drank himself stupid and passed out buck nekkid (Gen 9:21).  Why do you think they call it “getting wasted?”  It’s a complete waste of time.

Let’s be clear about something.  It’s very tough to make a scriptural case against complete drinking alcohol.  Wine is a part of daily life in both the Old and New Testaments.  As a matter of fact, Jesus’ very first miracle was to keep the party going in Cana with more wine (Jn 2:1-11).  Wine is a central piece of the Lord’s Supper.  But God is VERY clear that wine and alcohol must be used in moderation.  It must not take control of our lives.  It’s clear that the sovereign God of the universe knows the strength and damage done by addiction.  The consumption of alcohol is a personal choice with the very important input of the Holy Spirit.  You may realize that you cannot control how much you drink.  If so, the Spirit will lead you to stay away from it.  It’s all about influence.  It’s all about control.  

Are you under the influence?  Are you under His influence?

Paul warns us that a life fueled by alcohol leads to “debauchery” (v18).  The word asotia describes reckless living, rampant immorality and pursuing life with no moral or ethical boundaries.  This is complete lack of concern about the consequences of any action.  It’s very interesting to understand that the Greek term is actually the very opposite of being saved and made whole.  Elders must not live a life out of control (Titus 1:6).  To quote the great philosopher and theologian Zach Galifinakis, “You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.”  When I give up control of my life to mind-altering substances, I lose my boundaries.  What fills me, controls me.  It’s no coincidence that the Apostle Pete talks about how getting liquored up inevitably leads to reckless living.  He says followers of Jesus should avoid “drunkenness (Gr. methusko)” and the “debauchery (Gr. asotia)” which mark the lives of unbelievers (1Pet 4:3-4).

Instead we’re to be “filled with the Spirit” (v18).  We’re to be controlled by His Spirit.  We’re to be under His influence.  Every follower of Jesus receives His Holy Spirit when we trust in Him (1Cor 12:13).  That only happens once (Eph 4:5).  But there are times when we set aside our own wants and desires and God can fill us with more of Himself.  Think of it as topping off the tank.  The Bible is filled with Spirit-filled people.  Old Testament prophets.  New Testament believers.  Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of being filled by the Spirit.  John the Dunker probably said it best.  “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30).  John knew Whose control he should be under.  He wanted to be completely under the influence.

Are you under the influence?  Are you under His influence?