1 Timothy 5:23
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Timothy 5:23
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
Chapter Context
1 Timothy 5 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of obedience, love, holiness. Written during after Paul's first Roman imprisonment (c. 62-64 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: False teaching in Ephesus required organizational and doctrinal clarification.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Timothy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Timothy 5:23
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
Analysis
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.
Reflection
- How does this verse balance between avoiding drunkenness and appropriate use of wine?
- What does Paul's counsel teach about caring for physical health amid spiritual ministry?
- How can Christians avoid both self-destructive asceticism and self-indulgent excess?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: 1 Timothy 3:3, 3:8, 4:4, Psalms 104:15, Ezekiel 44:21, Ephesians 5:18