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Commentary on Proverbs 23 verses 29–35
Solomon here gives fair warning against the sin of drunkenness, to confirm what he had said, Pro 23:20.
I. He cautions all people to keep out of the way of temptations to this sin (Pro 23:31): Look not thou upon the wine when it is red. Red wine was in Canaan looked upon as the best wine, it is therefore called the blood of the grape. Critics judge of wine, among other indications, by the colour of it; some wine, they say, looks charmingly, looks so well that it even says, "Come and drink me;" it moves itself aright, goes down very smoothly, or perhaps the roughness of it is grateful. It is said of generous strong-bodied wine that it even causes the lips of those that are asleep to speak, Sol 7:9. But look not thou upon it. 1. "Be not ruled by sense, but by reason and religion. Covet not that which pleases the eye, in hopes that it will please the taste; but let thy serious thoughts correct the errors of thy senses and convince thee that that which seems delightful is really hurtful, and resolve against it accordingly. Let not the heart walk after the eye, for it is a deceitful guide." 2. "Be not too bold with the charms of this or any other sin; look not, lest thou lust, lest thou take the forbidden fruit." Note Those that would be kept from any sin must keep themselves from all the occasions and beginnings of it, and be afraid of coming within the reach of its allurements, lest they be overcome by them.
II. He shows the many pernicious consequences of the sin of drunkenness, for the enforcement of this caution. Take heed of the bait, for fear of the hook: At the last it bites, Pro 23:32. All sin will be bitterness in the end, and this sin particularly. It bites like a serpent, when the drunkard is made sick by his surfeit, thrown by it into a dropsy or some fatal disease, beggared and ruined in his estate, especially when his conscience is awakened and he cannot reflect upon it without horror and indignation at himself, but worst of all, at last, when the cup of drunkenness shall be turned into a cup of trembling, the cup of the Lord's wrath, the dregs of which he must be for ever drinking, and shall not have a drop of water to cool his inflamed tongue. To take off the force of the temptation that there is in the pleasure of the sin, foresee the punishment of it, and what it will at last end in if repentance prevent not. In its latter end it bites (so the word is); think therefore what will be in the end thereof. But the inspired writer chooses to specify those pernicious consequences of this sin which are present and sensible.
1.It embroils men in quarrels, makes them quarrel with others, and say and do that which gives others occasion to quarrel with them, Pro 23:29. He asks, Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who has not, in this world? Many have woe and sorrow, and cannot help it; but drunkards wilfully create woe and sorrow to themselves. Those that have contentions have woe and sorrow; and drunkards are the fools whose lips enter into contention. When the wine is in the wit is out and the passions are up; and thence come drunken scuffles, and drunken frays, and drunken disputes over the cups; many a vexatious ruining law-suit has begun thus. There is babbling, quarrels in word and the exchanging of scurrilous language; yet it rests not there: you shall have wounds without cause, for causes are things which drunkards are in no capacity to judge of, and therefore they deal blows about without the least consideration why or wherefore, and must expect to be in like manner treated themselves. The wounds which men receive in defence of their country and its just rights are their honour; but wounds without cause, received in the service of their lusts, are marks of their infamy. Nay, drunkards wound themselves in a tender part, for they have redness of eyes, symptoms of an inward inflammation; their sight is weakened by it, and their looks are deformed. This comes, (1.) Of drinking long, tarrying long at the wine, and spending that time in drunken company which should be spent in useful business, or in sleep, which should fit for business, Pro 23:30. O the precious hours which thousands throw away thus, every one of which will be brought into the account at the great day! (2.) Of drinking that which is strong and intoxicating. They go up and down to seek wine that will please them; their great enquiry is, "Where is the best liquor?" They seek mixed wine, which is most palatable, but most heady, so willingly do they sacrifice their reason to please their palate!
2.It makes men impure and insolent, Pro 23:33. (1.) The eyes grow unruly and behold strange women to lust after them, and so let in adultery into the heart. Est Venus in vinis - Wine is oil to the fire of lust. Thy eyes shall behold strange things (so some read it); when men are drunk the house turns round with them, and every thing looks strange to them, so that them they cannot trust their own eyes. (2.) The tongue also grows unruly and talks extravagantly; by it the heart utters perverse things, things contrary to reason, religion, and common civility, which they would be ashamed to speak if they were sober. What ridiculous incoherent nonsense men will talk when they are drunk who at another time will speak admirably well and to the purpose!
3.It stupefies and besots men, Pro 23:34. When men are drunk they know not where they are nor what they say and do. (1.) Their heads are giddy, and when they lie down to sleep they are as if they were tossed by the rolling waves of the sea, or upon the top of a mast; hence they complain that their heads swim; their sleep is commonly unquiet and not refreshing, and their dreams are tumultuous. (2.) Their judgments are clouded, and they have no more steadiness and consistency than he that sleeps upon the top of a mast: they drink and forget the law (Pro 31:5): they err through wine (Isa 28:7), and think as extravagantly as they talk. (3.) They are heedless and fearless of danger, and senseless of the rebukes they are under either from God or man. They are in imminent danger of death, of damnation, lie as much exposed as if they slept upon the top of a mast, and yet are secure and sleep on. They fear no peril when the terrors of the Lord are laid before them; nay, they feel no pain when the judgments of God are actually upon them; they cry not when he binds them. Set a drunkard in the stocks, and he is not sensible of the punishment. "They have stricken me, and I was not sick; I felt it not: it made no impression at all upon me." Drunkenness turns me into stocks and stones; they are scarcely to be reckoned animals; they are dead while they live.
4.Worst of all, the heart is hardened in the sin, and the sinner, notwithstanding all these present mischiefs that attend it, obstinately persist in it, and hates to be reformed: When shall I awake? Much ado he has to shake off the chains of his drunken sleep; he can hardly get clear of the fumes of the wine, though he strives with them, that (being thirsty in the morning) he may return to it again. So perfectly lost is he to all sense of virtue and honour, and so wretchedly is his conscience seared, that he is not ashamed to say, I will seek it yet again. There is no hope; no, they have loved drunkards, and after them they will go, Jer 2:25. This is adding drunkenness to thirst, and following strong drink; those that do so may read their doom Deu 29:19, Deu 29:20, their woe Isa 5:11, and, if this be the end of the sin, with good reason were we directed to stop at the beginning of it: Look not upon the wine when it is red.
By the mention of redness of eyes—a sign of death—it is made clear that the wine-bibber is already dead to the Word and to reason. It declares his death to the Lord. If one forgets the motives that prompt him to seek the true life, he is dragged down to corruption. With good reason, then, the Educator, in his concern for our salvation, sternly forbids us, “Do not drink wine to drunkenness.”
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow?” For whom is there distress and darkness? For whom eternal doom? Is it not for the transgressors? For those who deny the faith? And what is the proof of their denial? Is it not that they have denied their own confession? And when and what did they confess? Belief in the Father and in the Son and in the Holy Ghost, when they renounced the devil and his angels and uttered those saving words. What fit title, then, has been discovered for them, for [these former] children of light to use? Are they not addressed as transgressors, as having violated the covenant of their salvation?
Since you are the presbyters and deacons of Christ, you ought always to be sober, both among yourselves and among others, so that you may be able to warn the unruly. Now the Scripture says, “The men in power are passionate. But let them not drink wine, lest by drinking they forget wisdom and are not able to judge aright.” Wherefore, [the bishops]27 and the presbyters and the deacons are those of authority in the church next to God Almighty and his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We say this, not that they are not to drink at all, otherwise it would be to the reproach of what God has made for cheerfulness, but that they not be disordered with wine. For the Scripture does not say, “Do not drink wine”; but what says it? “Drink not wine to drunkenness.”
Understand this, brethren, that every drunkard who has made drinking a habit will have leprosy within, in his soul, because the soul of the drunkard is known to be such as the flesh of the leper is seen to be. Therefore one who wishes to free himself of the sin of drunkenness, where not only his soul is killed but even his body is weakened, should drink merely as much as suffices. If he is unwilling to observe this rule, he will be hateful to God and an object of reproach to people.
People who want to be like this try miserably to excuse themselves. They say, My friend will be unpleasant if I do not give him as much as he wants to drink when I invite him to a banquet. [But I say to you,] Do not have a friend who is willing to make you displeasing to God, for he is both his own enemy and yours. If you make yourself and someone else intoxicated, you will have a man as your friend but God as an enemy.
For those who tarry long over wine and go to seek mixed wine, etc. Symbol is a Greek name, and it means conference. There is a conference of words, as is usual in councils; there is also one of money or other things, as the present place teaches. Therefore, those who tarry long over wine indulge in speaking about the disgrace of another’s life. But to offer a potluck is like contributing words in a conversation of slander, just as everyone usually provides food for a meal. But those who indulge in drinks and give potlucks will be consumed, because, as it is written: Every slanderer will be uprooted.
Is it not to those who linger over wine? etc. He does not forbid drinking wine for need, but lingering in wine beyond time and usefulness, and competing to empty each other's chalices; according to Isaiah: Woe to you who are mighty to drink wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink (Isaiah V).
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SUMMARY
Proverbs 23:30 offers a sharp, vivid portrayal of individuals deeply entangled in the abuse of alcohol, specifically those who habitually linger over wine and actively pursue more potent, fortified beverages. This verse, embedded within a broader passage detailing the dire consequences of intemperance, serves as a foundational warning against the insidious nature of addiction, highlighting the profound lack of self-control and the destructive path that unchecked indulgence inevitably leads to.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Proverbs 23:30 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful warning against intemperance. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically Synonymous Parallelism, where the second clause ("they that go to seek mixed wine") reiterates, reinforces, and intensifies the idea presented in the first clause ("They that tarry long at the wine"). Both phrases describe the same type of person and behavior, emphasizing the excessive and intentional indulgence in alcohol. The verse also uses Metonymy, where "wine" and "mixed wine" stand in for the entire experience and consequences of drunkenness. By focusing on the substance itself, the text implicitly refers to the associated behaviors, states of mind, and destructive outcomes that follow. Furthermore, there is a strong element of Vivid Imagery, as the phrases evoke a clear and disturbing picture of individuals utterly consumed by their pursuit of intoxication, setting the stage for the graphic descriptions of their woes in the subsequent verses.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 23:30 is far more than a mere social commentary; it is a profound theological statement on the nature of wisdom, self-control, and the devastating consequences of sin. It reveals that true wisdom involves disciplined living and the avoidance of paths that lead to destruction, highlighting the spiritual danger of yielding to uncontrolled appetites. The relentless pursuit of intoxication, as described here, represents a departure from a Spirit-filled life and a surrender to fleshly desires, ultimately hindering one's relationship with God and others. This powerful warning is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing sobriety and self-control as virtues absolutely essential for godly living, recognizing that excess in any form can enslave, corrupt, and ultimately separate one from the abundant life God intends.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 23:30 offers a timeless and piercing indictment of intemperance, serving as a vital call to self-examination for all believers. It challenges us to consider not only outright drunkenness but also the subtle, insidious ways we might "tarry long" or "seek" after anything that promises temporary escape, fleeting pleasure, or false comfort at the expense of true wisdom, spiritual vitality, or responsible living. This includes not only alcohol but also other forms of excess—whether in food, entertainment, digital consumption, social media, or even work—that can lead to addiction, neglect of duties, and a dulling of our spiritual senses. The verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of discipline, moderation, and discernment, recognizing that true freedom is found not in unchecked indulgence but in the Spirit-empowered ability to control our appetites and pursue what is truly good, life-giving, and glorifying to God. It reminds us that our bodies are sacred temples of the Holy Spirit, to be honored and stewarded wisely, and that our ultimate pursuit should be for righteousness, spiritual growth, and the abundant life offered in Christ, not for fleeting sensory gratification.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse condemn all alcohol consumption?
Answer: Proverbs 23:30, like other passages in the Bible, warns specifically against the abuse of alcohol, not necessarily its moderate consumption. The emphasis here is on "tarrying long" and "seeking mixed wine," which describe excessive, prolonged, and intentional pursuit of intoxication. While the Bible acknowledges wine as a part of life and even for medicinal purposes (e.g., 1 Timothy 5:23), it consistently condemns drunkenness and gluttony as sins that lead to ruin and disqualify one from leadership (e.g., Proverbs 23:21, Galatians 5:21). The focus is on the dangerous path of addiction, the loss of self-control, and the destructive consequences that follow, rather than a blanket prohibition on alcohol itself.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 23:30, with its stark warning against the destructive nature of intemperance, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound solution in Jesus Christ. The individuals described in this proverb are depicted as enslaved by their appetites, desperately seeking satisfaction in substances that ultimately bring only woe, sorrow, and ruin. This very bondage to sin and self-destructive desires is precisely what Jesus came to set us free from. He is the one who offers true and lasting freedom from all forms of addiction and excess, not through mere human willpower or self-effort, but through the transforming, empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Where the "tarrying long" and "seeking mixed wine" lead to physical degradation, social disgrace, and spiritual dullness, Christ calls us to be "filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), which yields the fruit of self-control, joy, peace, and righteousness (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus himself demonstrated perfect self-control and offered himself as the ultimate, spotless sacrifice, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, including the sin of intemperance and all forms of self-destructive indulgence. Through His atoning work on the cross and His resurrection power, we are given the divine ability to overcome the desires of the flesh and to live lives of sobriety, discipline, and devotion, reflecting the wisdom and character of God, which is truly found in Christ, who is the wisdom of God personified.