1 Timothy 5:23

Authorized King James Version

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Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Original Language Analysis

Μηκέτι no longer G3371
Μηκέτι no longer
Strong's: G3371
Word #: 1 of 15
no further
ὑδροπότει Drink G5202
ὑδροπότει Drink
Strong's: G5202
Word #: 2 of 15
to be a water-drinker, i.e., to abstain from vinous beverages
ἀλλ' but G235
ἀλλ' but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 3 of 15
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
οἴνῳ wine G3631
οἴνῳ wine
Strong's: G3631
Word #: 4 of 15
"wine" (literally or figuratively)
ὀλίγῳ a little G3641
ὀλίγῳ a little
Strong's: G3641
Word #: 5 of 15
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
χρῶ use G5530
χρῶ use
Strong's: G5530
Word #: 6 of 15
to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze" (touch slightly), light upon, etc.), i.e., (by implication) to employ or (by extension) to act tow
διὰ for G1223
διὰ for
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 7 of 15
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στόμαχον stomach's sake G4751
στόμαχον stomach's sake
Strong's: G4751
Word #: 9 of 15
an orifice (the gullet), i.e., (specially), the "stomach"
σοῦ thine G4675
σοῦ thine
Strong's: G4675
Word #: 10 of 15
of thee, thy
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 11 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰς G3588
τὰς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πυκνάς often G4437
πυκνάς often
Strong's: G4437
Word #: 13 of 15
clasped (thick), i.e., (figuratively) frequent; neuter plural (as adverb) frequently
σοῦ thine G4675
σοῦ thine
Strong's: G4675
Word #: 14 of 15
of thee, thy
ἀσθενείας infirmities G769
ἀσθενείας infirmities
Strong's: G769
Word #: 15 of 15
feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty

Analysis & Commentary

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities (Μηκέτι ὑδροπότει, ἀλλὰ οἴνῳ ὀλίγῳ χρῶ διὰ τὸν στόμαχόν σου καὶ τὰς πυκνάς σου ἀσθενείας, Mēketi hydropotei, alla oinō oligō chrō dia ton stomachon sou kai tas pyknas sou astheneias)—'stop drinking only water, but use a little wine for your stomach and frequent ailments.' Hydropoteo means to drink water (only). Stomachos is stomach. Pyknos means frequent, often.

This verse seems out of place amid instructions on church discipline, but it reveals Paul's pastoral care for Timothy personally. Timothy apparently practiced strict abstinence from wine (perhaps to avoid any appearance of the excess Paul condemned in 3:3, 8), but this was harming his health. Ancient water was often contaminated; wine was safer and had medicinal value.

Paul's counsel: asceticism isn't virtue if it damages your health. Use a little wine medicinally. This isn't endorsing drunkenness but wise stewardship of the body. Timothy's rigorous self-discipline was admirable but misguided when it hurt his ability to serve. Take care of your body—it's the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Historical Context

In the ancient world, wine mixed with water was the standard beverage—safer than contaminated water and less intoxicating than pure wine. Paul isn't recommending drunkenness but appropriate use of wine for health. Timothy's frequent stomach ailments and illnesses may have been exacerbated by drinking only water in a region where waterborne diseases were common.

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