Word Study for G3182 (μεθύσκω)

methýskō /meth-oos'-ko/ Ask about this word

Meaninga prolonged (transitive) form of μεθύω; to intoxicate

KJV usagebe drunk(-en).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of methýskō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word methýskō, represented by G3182, is a verb meaning to intoxicate or to be drunk(-en). This prolonged form of a related word appears 4 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. It specifically describes the action or resulting state of becoming intoxicated.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G3182 serves as a consistent warning against indulgence. The Apostle Paul issues a direct command in Ephesians 5:18, stating, "be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess," contrasting this state directly with being filled with the Spirit. In a parable, the unfaithful servant's decline is marked when he begins to "eat and drink, and to be drunken" Luke 12:45, showing a clear link between intoxication and unfaithfulness. The term is also used to characterize those who belong to the "night," noting that "they that be drunken are drunken in the night" 1 Thessalonians 5:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the context of G3182:

G3184 methýō (to drink to intoxication, i.e. get drunk): Used in close parallel with G3182, this word describes those who "are drunken in the night" 1 Thessalonians 5:7 and is also used figuratively, as in being "made drunk with the wine of her fornication" Revelation 17:2.
G3631 oînos (wine): The agent of intoxication explicitly mentioned in the command not to be drunk with wine Ephesians 5:18. It is also used symbolically to refer to "the wine of the wrath of God" Revelation 14:10.
G4095 pínō (to imbibe): This general verb for drinking often precedes the state of intoxication, as seen in the servant who begins to eat and drink, and then to be drunken Luke 12:45.
G810 asōtía (excess, riot): This term defines the consequence of being drunk with wine in Ephesians 5:18. It connects intoxication with profligacy and an "unsavedness" of lifestyle.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3182 is significant in its portrayal of a spiritual condition to be avoided.

Opposition to Spiritual Fullness: The word's use in Ephesians 5:18 establishes a clear dichotomy: one can either be drunken with wine or filled with the Spirit, but not both. Intoxication is presented as a fleshly state antithetical to a life led by the Spirit.
Sign of Unfaithfulness: Being drunken is a primary behavior of the wicked servant who has lost sight of his master's impending return Luke 12:45. It symbolizes a life of carnal indulgence and neglect of spiritual duty.
An Activity of Darkness: The state of being drunken is explicitly associated with the "night" 1 Thessalonians 5:7, which stands in contrast to the "day" to which believers belong. This reinforces the need for spiritual alertness and sobriety.

Summary

In summary, G3182 is more than a simple description of intoxication; it is a spiritual warning sign. It is consistently used to illustrate a state of being that is incompatible with spiritual alertness, faithfulness, and a life filled with the Spirit. The term serves as a call to reject worldly indulgence in favor of a sober and watchful spiritual posture.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Passive Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Passive Infinitive 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke, Ephesians, and 1 Thessalonians (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

Luke

Ephesians

1 Thessalonians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.