1 Timothy 5:23

Drink no longer water The form of the verb and its tense require the fuller rendering of R.V., Be no longer a drinker of water. The connexion seems to be; -you have, I know, among other means of training and disciplining yourself in "purity," been a water-drinker; but have the courage of a sanctified common sense; this is not the only way, nor even for you the right way, to your end; if your stomach is out of order and your health much enfeebled, take a little wine as medicine, not as indulgence."

thine often infirmities -Infirmities" was a stronger word formerly than now: the Greek word is frequently rendered -sickness," cf. John 11:3-4, -He whom thou lovest is sick," -this sickness is not unto death," -Lazarus is dead." Two observations may be made on this verse with regard to the question, (1) of temperance, (2) of authorship.

(1) According to the principles of the Church of England Temperance Society the resolution of total abstinence is taken (as it was by Timothy) by those who see in it a discipline in Christian life, or a help in Christian love, and is expressly guarded by the reservation -except under medical advice;" and the question whether wine and other alcoholic drinks are generally useful in illness is one quite open among C.E.T.S. total abstainers, as among doctors. On a point of medical science St Paul's lay experience will not be claimed as a final settlement.

(2) The verse is so casually introduced that, as Dr Farrar remarks, -though we see at once how it may have occurred to St Paul's thoughts since otherwise the former rule might have led to a self-denial still more rigid (Romans 14:2), and even injurious to health it is far too natural and spontaneous, too entirely disconnected from all that precedes and follows it, to have occurred to any imitator. An imitator, if capable of introducing the natural play of thought to which the precept "keep thyself pure" is due, would have been far more likely to add and especially in an Epistle which so scrupulously forbids indulgence in wine to all Church officials "and, in order to promote this purity, take as little wine as possible, or avoid it altogether." "