DRUNKENNESS
What Is the Biblical Understanding of Drunkenness?
Drunkenness involves the ingestion of a mind-altering substance for purely pleasurable purposes. This vice is repeatedly condemned in the Scriptures (Prov. 23:29ff; Eph. 5:18; 1 Cor. 5:11; 6:10; Gal. 5:21). While the Bible does not prohibit the use of certain drugs for medicinal purposes (e.g., codeine or morphine for extreme pain; cf. 1 Tim. 5:23), the dulling of one's mind as an escape from problems that ought to be addressed with spiritual solutions. Intoxication for a recreational "high” is not sanctioned in Scripture.
It also should be borne in mind that "drunkenness" is a matter of degree. The alteration of one's mental faculties commences almost immediately as one ingests the distilled spirits of our modern world.
The Greek wordnepho (sober) signifies to "be free from the influence of intoxicants" (W.E. Vine).
Another factor that must be considered is one's Christian influence (cf. Rom. 14:21). See WINE.
It also should be borne in mind that "drunkenness" is a matter of degree. The alteration of one's mental faculties commences almost immediately as one ingests the distilled spirits of our modern world.
The Greek word
Another factor that must be considered is one's Christian influence (cf. Rom. 14:21). See WINE.
