1 Timothy 5:23

“No longer drink water exclusively”: Contrary to the claims of some writers, everyone in the First Century was not drinking wine as the only available beverage and there was water that was pure and clean to drink. Note that Timothy did not drink wine socially or as. beverage.

1 Timothy 5:23 “Use. little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments”: Here we learn that Timothy had some health problems that were frequent and yet these did not stop him from being. very productive worker. As Kent notes, “Timothy's weak stomach is no argument for drinking liquor today” (p. 188). Also note the term “little”. Paul does not rebuke Timothy for his drinking water, but rather notes that he adds. little wine in view of his medical condition.

Carefully note that this passage argues against those who claim that God only heals through the prayer of faith. Paul recognized that medicines are useful for God's people. Compare with Matthew 9:12.

Point to Note

“It is almost surprising to learn that this is one of the verses that people use who want to quiet their consciences about their habit of drinking alcoholic beverages. Timothy's weak stomach is no argument for drinking alcoholic beverages today! Before passages such as this, or Jesus' turning the water to wine at the wedding in Cana, are appealed to as ‘proof' that it is OK for. Christian to be. consumer of alcoholic beverages, it would be well to consult Farrar Fenton's The Bible and Wine or William Patton's Bible Wines to get. better idea of the vast difference in alcoholic content between fermented beverages of the ancient world and the distilled spirits the world has used since the Arabs introduces distillation in the. th century A.D.” (Reese p. 256).