1 Timothy 5 23

1 Timothy 5:23 kjv

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

1 Timothy 5:23 nkjv

No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

1 Timothy 5:23 niv

Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

1 Timothy 5:23 esv

(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)

1 Timothy 5:23 nlt

Don't drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.

1 Timothy 5 verses

1 Timothy 5 23 meaning

In 1 Timothy 5:23, the Apostle Paul instructs his disciple Timothy to cease drinking only water and instead to consume a small amount of wine. This counsel is given for specific health reasons: to alleviate issues with his stomach and to help with his frequent illnesses. It highlights a practical, compassionate concern for Timothy's physical well-being, acknowledging the medicinal properties of wine in the ancient world and advising against an ascetic practice that was proving detrimental to health.

1 Timothy 5 23 Context

1 Timothy chapter 5 provides practical instructions for church life and leadership. Paul addresses how different age groups should be treated (verses 1-2), guidelines for supporting widows (verses 3-16), and the proper care and discipline of elders (verses 17-22). Immediately following advice about hasty ordination and avoiding complicity in others' sins (1 Tim 5:22), Paul inserts this personal, paternal advice to Timothy. This demonstrates Paul's deep concern not just for the corporate church, but for the personal well-being of his close associate.

Historically, water sources in the ancient Near East and Roman world were often contaminated with bacteria and parasites, leading to widespread digestive issues and other diseases. Wine, often diluted with water, served not only as a beverage but also as a form of medicine due to its antiseptic properties and beneficial acids that aided digestion. Timothy, potentially prone to ill health or practicing an extreme form of asceticism (perhaps even abstaining from wine for spiritual purity or as a Nazarite-like vow, though not explicitly stated), was apparently suffering from chronic gastrointestinal problems and general weakness. Paul's advice cuts through potential misguided spiritual disciplines to address a pressing health issue that could impede Timothy's effective ministry.

1 Timothy 5 23 Word analysis

• Drink no longer water (μηκέτι ὑδροπότει - mēketi hydropotei):

  • Mēketi means "no longer," indicating Timothy had a past or present habit Paul wanted him to change.
  • Hydropotei (from hydropoteō) means "be a water-drinker" or "drink water exclusively." This isn't just "drink water," but implies an exclusive or predominant intake of water, potentially as an ascetic practice or simply due to circumstance. The original Greek suggests Timothy's regimen was one of only or primarily water.
  • Significance: Paul is directly addressing an existing practice. The emphasis on only water drinking highlights a potential issue with severe abstinence, especially in a world with poor sanitation.

• but use (ἀλλὰ...χρῶ - alla...chrō):

  • Alla ("but") marks a strong contrast and redirection.
  • Chrō is an imperative verb, a direct command or strong exhortation.
  • Significance: This is a direct, loving instruction, not merely a suggestion.

• a little (ὀλίγῳ - oligō):

  • Means "small quantity," "little," or "few."
  • Significance: Crucially qualifies the amount of wine to be used. It emphasizes moderation, clearly distinguishing this counsel from an endorsement of excessive drinking or drunkenness, which Paul strongly condemns elsewhere (Eph 5:18). It’s for medicinal use, not intoxication.

• wine (οἴνῳ - oinō):

  • The common Greek word for "wine."
  • Significance: In ancient medicine, wine was often diluted and prescribed for various ailments due to its antibacterial properties, and as a tonic or digestive aid. It provided a safer alternative to contaminated water.

• for thy stomach's sake (διὰ τὸν στόμαχον - dia ton stomakhon):

  • Dia means "on account of" or "for the sake of."
  • Stomakhon (stomach) refers to the stomach or abdominal region, likely indicating chronic digestive issues or gastric discomfort.
  • Significance: Paul provides a specific medical rationale for the advice. It's not a generic recommendation, but a targeted solution for a particular health problem.

• and thine often (καὶ τὰς πυκνάς σου - kai tas puknas sou):

  • Kai ("and") links the two reasons.
  • Puknas (from puknos) means "frequent," "numerous," or "dense."
  • Significance: This underscores the chronic and persistent nature of Timothy's ailments, suggesting these were not occasional discomforts but recurring health challenges.

• infirmities (ἀσθενείας - astheneias):

  • Means "weaknesses," "sicknesses," or "illnesses." It denotes a general state of ill health or physical frailty.
  • Significance: Indicates that Timothy was struggling with broader physical debilities beyond just his stomach issues, reinforcing the need for restorative measures. His overall health was likely compromised.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine": This phrase directly confronts a potentially self-imposed discipline with practical health advice. It presents a clear alternative, moving from absolute abstinence (of wine) or exclusive water consumption to a moderated intake of wine for specific therapeutic benefit. This highlights Paul's wisdom in balancing spiritual discipline with prudent care for the body.
• "for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities": This justification clarifies that the counsel is purely medicinal and contextual. It demonstrates Paul's deep personal concern for Timothy, his mentee, and emphasizes that bodily health is crucial for effective ministry. The repeated nature ("often infirmities") indicates that this was not a trivial or one-off complaint but a persistent challenge to Timothy's ability to serve.

1 Timothy 5 23 Bonus section

• Paul's Personal Relationship and Concern: This instruction reveals a tender, paternal side of Paul. Despite the gravity of the instructions regarding church governance in 1 Timothy, Paul takes time for such a personal and caring detail, indicating his deep affection and concern for Timothy's physical struggles. This demonstrates a vital aspect of spiritual leadership: genuinely caring for the holistic well-being of those under one's care.
• Ministerial Efficacy: While not explicitly stated, Timothy's chronic illnesses would undoubtedly hinder his capacity for robust and consistent ministry. Paul's advice is thus indirectly tied to Timothy's effectiveness as a leader and evangelist. Good health supports one's ability to labor for the Lord, making sensible health practices a component of diligent service.
• Balance in Christian Living: The verse illustrates a balanced approach to Christian living. It affirms spiritual discipline (which may have led Timothy to exclusive water drinking) but tempers it with practical wisdom and physical necessity. True piety includes the sensible care of the physical body, avoiding both self-indulgence and debilitating self-neglect.
• Authority of Scripture and Practicality: This verse underscores the practical nature of biblical wisdom. It is not always high theology but often very earthly and relevant to daily life. The inclusion of such a practical medical recommendation within sacred scripture demonstrates the Bible's comprehensive scope, addressing human needs holistically.

1 Timothy 5 23 Commentary

1 Timothy 5:23 is a deeply practical and compassionate interjection from Paul to Timothy. It showcases Paul's holistic view of ministry, acknowledging that a minister's physical well-being is intrinsically linked to their spiritual effectiveness. This verse is not a theological directive on alcohol consumption in general, nor is it a mandate for all believers to drink wine. Rather, it is specific medical advice tailored to Timothy's particular chronic health conditions (stomach issues and frequent illnesses), likely exacerbated by the poor quality of available water in that era and possibly an overly strict ascetic diet.

Paul’s recommendation for "a little wine" is crucial; it explicitly precludes excess, distinguishing medicinal use from drunkenness (a sin frequently condemned elsewhere in Scripture). The passage subtly pushes back against any unhelpful extremes of asceticism (Col 2:20-23) that might prioritize a self-imposed purity standard over God-given wisdom and care for one's physical body. Ultimately, it illustrates Paul’s tender pastoral heart, valuing the health and vitality of his beloved coworker to enable him to continue serving the Lord effectively. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that while spiritual disciplines are vital, we must also be wise stewards of our physical bodies, using appropriate means, including common remedies, to maintain health, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19).