by David Lipscomb (1831-1917)
Brother Lipscomb: Please explain 1 Timothy 5:23, which reads thus: “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”
Timothy did not drink wine. That is clear. He refrained from it, doubtless, because it was regarded by the Holy Spirit as incompatible with the Christian character. The curse of God was upon it and all who “look upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”
Timothy knew the evil as condemned in the Scriptures, which he had known from a child, and refrained from the use of it, confining himself to the use of water. He was often afflicted. His stomach was disordered. Yet such an evil he recognized the use of wine to be he suffered rather than countenance its use by Christians. Paul wrote to him: “Drink no long water [alone], but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” Paul thought he might use it for the curing of his disordered stomach and to relieve his frequent sickness; but, then, he was to be cautious to use only a little.
It shows plainly in what esteem the inspired men held the use of wine. It could be used only in cases of sickness, and then only in small quantities. No Christian ought ever to think of touching it under other conditions.
The above post is an excerpt from the book, Rum and Ruin: A Collection of Writings on the Issue of Alcohol. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!
This volume is a collection of writings by preachers associated with the Restoration Movement as they addressed the issue of alcohol. It includes the following:
