DRUNKENNESS
What Is Drunkenness in the Bible?
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. It is a scientific fact that our mental faculties are altered by as little as 12ml of alcohol (e.g., 9-10 grams for the average person). This occurs within minutes 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).
Drunkenness also significantly hinders one's Christian influence (cf. Rom. 14:21). See WINE.
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. It is a scientific fact that our mental faculties are altered by as little as 12ml of alcohol (e.g., 9-10 grams for the average person). This occurs within minutes as one ingests the distilled spirits of our modern world.
The Greek word
Drunkenness also significantly hinders one's Christian influence (cf. Rom. 14:21). See WINE.
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Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson
