from μεθύω; tipsy, i.e. (as noun) a sot:--drunkard.
Transliteration:méthysos
Pronunciation:meth'-oo-sos
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term μέθυσος (méthysos, `{{G3183}}`) is derived from the verb μεθύω (methyō, `{{G3184}}`), which means "to be drunk" or "to drink to intoxication." As a noun, μέθυσος describes a person who is habitually given to such behavior, hence a "drunkard" or "sot." While the base idea relates to being "tipsy" or under the influence of alcohol, the usage in the New Testament elevates it beyond a momentary state to describe a character trait or a lifestyle. It signifies someone who is marked by excessive consumption of alcohol, leading to intoxication as a regular practice, rather than an isolated incident. The term carries a strong pejorative connotation, identifying an individual whose life is characterized by this vice.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word μέθυσος (méthysos, `{{G3183}}`) appears twice in the New Testament, both times in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, and in contexts that underscore its severity.
In [[1 Corinthians 5:11]], Paul instructs the Corinthian believers not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is "sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler." Here, μέθυσος is listed among a series of grave moral transgressions that are incompatible with Christian fellowship. The context is church discipline, emphasizing the need for the community to maintain purity and to distinguish itself from the prevailing pagan culture. To be a "drunkard" is placed on par with other sins that demonstrate a fundamental departure from righteous conduct, suggesting a lifestyle rather than an occasional lapse.
The second occurrence is in [[1 Corinthians 6:10]], where Paul provides a stark warning: "nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." This verse forms part of a list of those whose unrepentant behavior will exclude them from God's eternal kingdom. The inclusion of μέθυσος in this catalog of serious sins—alongside theft, greed, and other forms of unrighteousness—highlights that habitual drunkenness is not a minor fault but a disqualifying lifestyle from the perspective of divine judgment. This passage serves as a powerful call to repentance and transformation for those who claim Christ but persist in such practices.
In both instances, the term is used in a list, indicating that drunkenness is viewed as a significant moral failing that compromises one's standing within the Christian community and before God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding μέθυσος (méthysos, `{{G3183}}`) includes several related Greek terms that further illuminate its meaning and biblical condemnation:
* **μεθύω (methyō, `{{G3184}}`):** The verb "to be drunk" or "to drink to intoxication," from which μέθυσος is derived. This describes the act or state of being intoxicated.
* **μέθη (methē, `{{G3178}}`):** A noun meaning "drunkenness" or "intoxication." It refers to the state itself, often listed among the "works of the flesh" (e.g., [[Galatians 5:21]]).
* **μεθυσμός (methysmos, `{{G3182}}`):** Another noun, also meaning "drunkenness" or "revelry." It is often used interchangeably with μέθη to describe the act or state of being drunk, particularly in the context of riotous living.
* **κῶμος (kōmos, `{{G2970}}`):** "Revelry" or "carousing," often associated with drunken feasts and riotous parties. This term frequently appears alongside "drunkenness" in lists of immoral behaviors (e.g., [[Romans 13:13]], [[Galatians 5:21]], [[1 Peter 4:3]]).
* **νήφω (nēphō, `{{G3525}}`):** "To be sober," "to be temperate," or "to be self-controlled." This word represents the antonymic concept to drunkenness, emphasizing spiritual alertness and clear-headedness, often exhorted to believers (e.g., [[1 Peter 5:8]]).
In the Old Testament, the dangers of wine and strong drink are frequently warned against, particularly in wisdom literature (e.g., [[Proverbs 23:20-21]], [[Proverbs 23:29-35]]) and prophetic condemnations of Israel's leaders (e.g., [[Isaiah 28:1-8]]). These passages lay a foundational understanding for the New Testament's condemnation of the "drunkard."
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of μέθυσος (méthysos, `{{G3183}}`) is profound, touching upon several core aspects of Christian doctrine and ethics:
1. **Moral Purity and Holiness:** Drunkenness is unequivocally presented as a serious moral failing that is incompatible with the call to holiness for believers. It is not merely a social impropriety but a sin that pollutes the individual and the community. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, and drunkenness abuses the body, which is the temple of the Spirit (cf. [[1 Corinthians 6:19-20]]).
2. **Exclusion from the Kingdom of God:** The explicit statement in [[1 Corinthians 6:10]] that "drunkards... will not inherit the kingdom of God" underscores the grave eternal consequences of persisting in this sin. This is not about a singular act of intoxication but a lifestyle characterized by a lack of self-control and an unrepentant heart. It signifies a failure to live in accordance with God's will, indicating a fundamental disconnect from the transformative power of the Gospel.
3. **Transformation and New Creation:** The context of [[1 Corinthians 6:11]] ("And such *were* some of you") highlights the radical transformation that occurs in conversion. Those who were once drunkards (among other sinners) have been "washed... sanctified... justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." This emphasizes that the Christian life is one of ongoing sanctification, where past vices are put off and replaced by Spirit-empowered self-control and righteousness.
4. **Stewardship and Self-Control:** Drunkenness represents a surrender of rational faculty and self-control, which are essential for living a life pleasing to God. Believers are called to be sober-minded and vigilant (cf. [[1 Peter 5:8]]), exercising discipline over their appetites and impulses. This reflects a proper stewardship of the body and mind, which are given by God.
5. **Christian Witness:** A lifestyle of drunkenness undermines the credibility of the Christian witness to the world. Believers are called to live distinctively, reflecting the light of Christ, and drunkenness obscures this light, bringing disrepute to the name of Christ and the church.
### Summary
The Greek term μέθυσος (méthysos, `{{G3183}}`) denotes a habitual drunkard, someone characterized by a lifestyle of excessive alcohol consumption leading to intoxication. Its two occurrences in the New Testament, both in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, consistently condemn this behavior as a serious moral transgression. It is listed among other grave sins that are incompatible with Christian fellowship and, more profoundly, with inheriting the kingdom of God. The condemnation of the "drunkard" underscores the biblical call to moral purity, self-control, and radical transformation in Christ. For believers, it highlights the necessity of breaking from such practices as evidence of genuine conversion and a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, lived in holiness and as a faithful witness to the world.
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