1 Timothy 5:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Drink {G5202} no longer {G3371} water {G5202}, but {G235} use {G5530} a little {G3641} wine {G3631} for {G1223} thy {G4675} stomach's sake {G4751} and {G2532} thine {G4675} often {G4437} infirmities {G769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Stop drinking water; instead, use a little wine for the sake of your digestion and because of your frequent illnesses.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Paul's concise instruction in 1 Timothy 5:23 offers specific, practical medical advice to Timothy, urging him to cease drinking only water and instead consume a small amount of wine to alleviate his persistent stomach ailments and frequent illnesses. This personal counsel, nestled within broader pastoral directives, underscores Paul's holistic concern for Timothy's well-being, highlighting the intersection of spiritual leadership with physical health and the importance of practical wisdom over rigid asceticism.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears somewhat abruptly within a section of [1 Timothy 5](/1_timothy/5 "1 Timothy 5 - Instructions on Church Conduct") that primarily deals with the proper conduct of believers towards various groups within the church, specifically addressing the care of widows ([1 Timothy 5:3-16](/1_timothy/5-3-16 "1 Timothy 5:3-16 - Instructions on Widows")), the honor due to elders ([1 Timothy 5:17-19](/1_timothy/5-17-19 "1 Timothy 5:17-19 - Honoring Elders")), and the process of rebuking sin ([1 Timothy 5:20-22](/1_timothy/5-20-22 "1 Timothy 5:20-22 - Rebuke and Impartiality")). The verse immediately precedes a warning against participating in other people's sins ([1 Timothy 5:22](/1_timothy/5-22 "1 Timothy 5:22 - Do Not Participate in Others' Sins")) and a concluding thought on the eventual revelation of sins and good deeds ([1 Timothy 5:24-25](/1_timothy/5-24-25 "1 Timothy 5:24-25 - Sins and Good Deeds Revealed")). Its sudden insertion emphasizes the deeply personal and practical nature of Paul's relationship with Timothy, demonstrating that even amidst weighty theological and administrative counsel, Paul maintained a genuine concern for his protégé's physical well-being.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, water sources were often contaminated, making water-borne diseases common. Wine, typically diluted with water, was a safer beverage choice due to its alcoholic content acting as a purifying agent. It was also widely recognized for its perceived medicinal properties, including aiding digestion and acting as an antiseptic. Timothy, possibly a young man as indicated in [1 Timothy 4:12](/1_timothy/4-12 "1 Timothy 4:12 - Timothy's Youth"), may have been prone to ascetic practices, potentially abstaining from wine for spiritual reasons or as a personal discipline. Paul's advice, therefore, is rooted in the practical realities of ancient health challenges and a likely understanding of Timothy's personal habits or physical constitution, offering a pragmatic solution to a chronic health issue rather than endorsing indulgence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within [1 Timothy](/1_timothy "1 Timothy - Paul's First Letter to Timothy"). Firstly, it highlights **Pastoral Care and Concern**, showcasing Paul's deep, holistic love for Timothy, extending beyond spiritual matters to his physical health. Secondly, it underscores **Practical Wisdom and Health**, emphasizing that believers should use available knowledge and resources to address physical ailments, rather than relying solely on spiritual means or rigid asceticism. Thirdly, the phrase "a little wine" introduces the theme of **Moderation and Temperance**, a recurring principle throughout Paul's letters, contrasting with the dangers of excess and drunkenness consistently condemned in Scripture (e.g., [Ephesians 5:18](/ephesians/5-18 "Ephesians 5:18 - Be Filled with the Spirit")). Finally, it subtly promotes **Pragmatism over Rigid Asceticism**, suggesting that spiritual discipline should not come at the expense of necessary physical well-being, a point Paul touches on elsewhere regarding dietary practices ([1 Timothy 4:3-5](/1_timothy/4-3-5 "1 Timothy 4:3-5 - Abstinence from Foods")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Drink no longer water (Greek, _hydropotéō_ G5202; _mēkéti_ G3371):** The verb `hydropotéō` (G5202) means "to be a water-drinker," specifically implying abstinence from vinous beverages. Coupled with `mēkéti` (G3371), meaning "no further" or "no longer," Paul's instruction is a direct command for Timothy to discontinue his exclusive practice of drinking water. This indicates Timothy's current habit was contributing to his ill health, and Paul was advising a change for therapeutic reasons.
* **a little wine (Greek, _olígos_ G3641; _oînos_ G3631):** The adjective `olígos` (G3641) means "puny," "few," or "small," while `oînos` (G3631) is the standard Greek word for "wine." The combination explicitly limits the quantity, emphasizing moderation. This is not a blanket endorsement of wine consumption, but a specific, measured recommendation for a medicinal purpose, distinguishing it clearly from any form of excessive drinking.
* **often infirmities (Greek, _pyknós_ G4437; _asthéneia_ G769):** The adverb `pyknós` (G4437) means "frequently" or "often," indicating a recurring nature. `Asthéneia` (G769) refers to "feebleness," "malady," "sickness," or "weakness." Together, these terms describe Timothy's chronic, persistent health issues, particularly those affecting his digestive system, for which the wine was prescribed as a remedy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Drink no longer water":** This opening phrase reveals Timothy's current practice of exclusively drinking water, which Paul identifies as detrimental to his health. It implies a previous or ongoing ascetic discipline or a simple habit that was exacerbating his physical ailments.
* **"but use a little wine":** This clause introduces Paul's direct, corrective advice. The conjunction "but" (Greek, `allá` G235) signals a contrast to Timothy's previous habit. The crucial qualifier "a little" (Greek, `olígos` G3641) underscores the medicinal and moderate nature of the recommendation, not an invitation to indulgence.
* **"for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities":** This final clause provides the explicit rationale for Paul's counsel. Timothy suffered from chronic digestive issues (`stómachos` G4751) and frequent general weaknesses or illnesses (`pyknós asthéneia` G4437 G769). The wine was prescribed as a practical, therapeutic measure to alleviate these persistent physical problems, reflecting ancient medical understanding and Paul's compassionate concern.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Direct Instruction** or **Admonition**, as Paul issues a clear command ("Drink no longer water, but use a little wine") to Timothy. This is a form of **Pastoral Counsel**, demonstrating the personal and practical nature of Paul's mentorship, where spiritual guidance extends to physical well-being. The advice is highly **Pragmatic**, offering a specific, actionable solution to a concrete problem, reflecting a common-sense approach to health in the ancient world. The inclusion of the phrase "a little wine" also functions as a **Qualifier**, carefully limiting the scope of the instruction and implicitly advocating for **Moderation**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while highly specific, offers profound theological insights into God's holistic concern for humanity and the practical outworking of faith. It reminds us that our physical bodies are not merely vessels for our spirits but are integral to our created being, deserving of care and wise stewardship. Paul's counsel to Timothy demonstrates that spiritual devotion does not necessitate the neglect of physical health, nor does it preclude the use of practical, even medicinal, means for well-being. It challenges rigid asceticism when it becomes detrimental to health, advocating for a balanced approach where wisdom and practicality are applied to all areas of life, including the physical. The principle of moderation, implied by "a little wine," resonates throughout Scripture, encouraging temperance in all things.

* [Proverbs 31:6-7](/proverbs/31-6-7 "Proverbs 31:6-7 - Wine for the Perishing")
* [Luke 10:34](/luke/10-34 "Luke 10:34 - The Good Samaritan's Care")
* [Romans 14:21](/romans/14-21 "Romans 14:21 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Timothy 5:23 serves as a powerful reminder that God cares for our entire being—spirit, soul, and body. It encourages believers to approach physical health with wisdom, seeking appropriate remedies and not viewing physical ailments as solely spiritual issues to be ignored or endured without practical intervention. For leaders, it highlights the importance of self-care and the recognition that one's physical well-being can impact their capacity for service. We are called to be good stewards of our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple")). This verse also subtly cautions against an unbiblical asceticism that might neglect necessary physical care in the name of piety. Instead, it promotes a balanced, discerning approach to life, where practical wisdom, moderation, and a holistic understanding of health are valued.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's concern for Timothy's physical health challenge my understanding of spiritual leadership and personal piety?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be neglecting practical wisdom in favor of rigid adherence to a principle, to my own detriment?**
* **How can I apply the principle of moderation, as seen in "a little wine," to other aspects of my life and choices?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the importance of caring for my physical body as an act of worship and stewardship?**

### FAQ

**Does 1 Timothy 5:23 command all Christians to drink wine?**

Answer: No, this verse is a specific, medical recommendation from Paul to Timothy, addressing Timothy's particular health issues (stomach ailments and frequent infirmities). It is not a general command for all Christians to consume wine. The emphasis is on "a little wine" for medicinal purposes, not for social or recreational consumption, and certainly not for intoxication, which is consistently condemned elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., [Ephesians 5:18](/ephesians/5-18 "Ephesians 5:18 - Be Filled with the Spirit") or [Galatians 5:21](/galatians/5-21 "Galatians 5:21 - Works of the Flesh")). The broader biblical principles of moderation, not causing others to stumble ([Romans 14:21](/romans/14-21 "Romans 14:21 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble")), and avoiding drunkenness remain paramount.

**Was wine used for medicinal purposes in ancient times?**

Answer: Yes, in the ancient world, wine was commonly used for its perceived medicinal properties. Due to often unsanitary water sources, wine (frequently diluted) was a safer beverage, as its alcohol content could act as a disinfectant. It was also believed to aid digestion, act as an antiseptic for wounds (as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan, [Luke 10:34](/luke/10-34 "Luke 10:34 - The Good Samaritan")), and provide general tonic benefits. Paul's advice to Timothy reflects this common ancient medical practice, offering a practical remedy for chronic health issues.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Timothy 5:23 is a specific, practical instruction, it subtly points to the holistic nature of God's care, fully realized in Christ. Jesus, as the Great Physician, not only healed spiritual brokenness but also ministered to physical infirmities, demonstrating God's concern for the whole person ([Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus Teaching and Healing")). This verse reminds us that Christ's redemptive work encompasses all of life, including our physical bodies, which are redeemed and destined for resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - The Resurrection Body")). Just as Paul wisely advised Timothy on his physical health, Christ provides us with wisdom through His Spirit and His Word to navigate the practicalities of life, including self-care and stewardship of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple")). Ultimately, Christ's example and teaching encourage a balanced life, free from rigid legalism or self-destructive asceticism, embracing the good gifts of creation with moderation and for God's glory ([1 Timothy 4:4-5](/1_timothy/4-4-5 "1 Timothy 4:4-5 - Everything Created by God is Good")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 104:15

And wine [that] maketh glad the heart of man, [and] oil to make [his] face to shine, and bread [which] strengtheneth man's heart.

Proverbs 31:4

[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Proverbs 31:7

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

1 Timothy 4:4

For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

1 Timothy 3:8

¶ Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Ezekiel 44:21

Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

Titus 2:3

The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;