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 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Timothy 5:23 | Do not drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach and your frequent ailments. | General advice |
| Proverbs 31:6 | Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more. | Moderate wine consumption |
| Proverbs 20:1 | Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is deceived by it is not wise. | Warning against excess |
| Luke 10:34 | So the Samaritan went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. | Wine as disinfectant/pain relief |
| Ephesians 5:18 | And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. | Warning against drunkenness |
| Galatians 5:23 | but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Self-control over desires |
| Romans 15:2 | Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. | Consideration for well-being |
| Philippians 2:27 | Indeed he was ill, near death. But God had mercy on him, and also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. | Health concerns |
| 1 Timothy 4:8 | for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, holding promise for the present life and the life to come. | Balance between physical and spiritual |
| Genesis 1:29 | Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. | Divine provision of sustenance |
| Deuteronomy 14:26 | And spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite may buy. You may eat it before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household. | Wine for celebration/joy |
| Joshua 1:8 | This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. | Importance of spiritual food |
| Psalm 4:7 | You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. | Spiritual joy supersedes worldly |
| Psalm 104:15 | and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread to strengthen man’s heart. | Wine for gladdening the heart |
| Sirach 31:29-30 | Wine taken in moderate measure is a delight of life for man if it is drunk soberly. But it is to be drunk with measure. What is made from grapes can be the undoing of both the great and the humble when it is drunk in excessive quantity. | Caution against excess |
| Matthew 25:9 | But the wise answered, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the sellers and buy for yourselves.’ | Prudent resource management |
| Mark 2:22 | And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is lost, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins. | Analogy of preservation |
| John 2:1-11 | Wedding at Cana where Jesus turns water into wine. | Miracle involving wine |
| Romans 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. | Transformation and discernment |
| 1 Corinthians 10:31 | So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. | Everything for God's glory |
1 Timothy 5 verses
1 Timothy 5 23 Meaning
Paul advises Timothy to no longer drink only water but to use a little wine for his stomach and his frequent ailments. This is a practical medical recommendation rooted in ancient understanding of medicinal properties.
1 Timothy 5 23 Context
In 1 Timothy chapter 5, Paul is giving Timothy instructions regarding various individuals and groups within the church, including elders, younger men, younger women, widows, and the poor. The instruction to Timothy about drinking wine follows advice on how to deal with the accusation against elders and the need for self-control and sound judgment in ministry. Historically, water sources could be unreliable or contaminated, leading to common digestive issues. Wine, diluted with water, was a common beverage and also used for medicinal purposes due to its perceived antiseptic and digestive properties. The historical and cultural context of the early church would have understood this advice as a practical measure for Timothy's health within his demanding ministry.
1 Timothy 5 23 Word Analysis
- οὐκέτι (ouketı): Not yet, no longer. Indicates a change from Timothy's previous practice.
- ὑδροπότης (hudropotēs): Water drinker. A descriptive term for someone who exclusively drinks water.
- μόνον (monon): Only. Emphasizes the exclusivity of his water-drinking.
- ἀλλὰ (alla): But. Introduces a contrast or alternative.
- ὀλίγου (oligou): Little, a small amount. Suggests moderation and not excess.
- οἴνου (oinou): Wine. Refers to fermented grape juice.
- τοῦ (tou): The (genitive definite article).
- σώματός σου (sōmatos sou): Your body. Specifically targets the physical person.
- καὶ (kai): And. Connects the stomach to the frequent ailments.
- τῶν (tōn): The (genitive plural definite article).
- πυκῶν (pukōn): Frequent, recurring, often. Highlights a persistent health issue.
- σου (sou): Your (genitive personal pronoun).
- ἀσθενημάτων (asthenēmatōn): Ailments, infirmities, weaknesses. Refers to a state of physical weakness or illness.
Word Group Analysis:
- "μὴ ὑδροπότης μόνον ὅτι ἀλλὰ ὀλίγου οἴνου" (mē hudropotēs monon hoti alla oligou oinou): "No longer a water drinker only, but [use] a little wine." This phrase directly advises a shift from a restrictive diet to one that includes a small amount of wine for therapeutic purposes.
- "τοῦ σώματός σου καὶ τῶν πυκῶν σου ἀσθενημάτων" (tou sōmatos sou kai tōn pukōn sou asthenēmatōn): "for your body and for your frequent ailments." This clause provides the rationale for the recommendation – the improvement of Timothy's physical health, specifically addressing ongoing sicknesses.
1 Timothy 5 23 Bonus Section
The recommendation for "a little wine" is a testament to the pragmatic approach of early Christianity. In ancient times, wine, when properly prepared and consumed in moderation, was understood to have certain health benefits, including aiding digestion and acting as an antiseptic. This stands in contrast to a misinterpretation of asceticism that might deny oneself even basic health aids. Paul’s counsel encourages stewardship of one’s body as a vessel for God’s work. It’s also notable that this advice comes within instructions about respecting and caring for the elders and widows, highlighting the holistic care expected within the Christian community.
1 Timothy 5 23 Commentary
This verse offers a rare personal and practical instruction from Paul to Timothy. It underscores the importance of physical well-being for effective ministry. While spiritual discipline is paramount, neglecting physical health is not encouraged. The advice is to use a small amount of wine, not for intoxication, but as a medicinal remedy for specific health issues like stomach problems and frequent sicknesses. This reflects a balanced approach to life, recognizing that God has provided physical means to aid our health. It's a reminder that even in spiritual leadership, the human element with its needs and frailties is to be acknowledged and addressed wisely.