### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun οἶνος (oînos), Strong's number `{{G3631}}`, fundamentally denotes "wine," the fermented juice of grapes. Its etymology suggests it is a primary word, potentially deriving from the Hebrew יַיִן (yayin) `{{H3196}}`, underscoring a deep historical and cultural continuity in the ancient world regarding this substance. The semantic range of οἶνος extends beyond its literal meaning to encompass significant figurative and symbolic uses within the biblical text. Literally, it refers to the beverage itself, consumed for sustenance, celebration, or medicinal purposes. Figuratively, it can represent joy, blessing, prosperity, but also intoxication, judgment, and divine wrath. This dual capacity for both positive and negative connotations is crucial for understanding its multifaceted role in Scripture.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
οἶνος appears frequently throughout the New Testament, carrying diverse meanings shaped by its immediate context.
One of its most prominent literal uses is in the account of Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana, where He transforms water into οἶνος [[John 2:1-11]]. Here, οἶνος symbolizes divine abundance, the inauguration of a new era, and the celebratory nature of God's presence. The quality of the "new οἶνος" surpasses the old, foreshadowing the superiority of the New Covenant.
Figuratively, οἶνος is central to Jesus' parables about "new οἶνος in old wineskins" [[Matthew 9:17]], [[Mark 2:22]], [[Luke 5:37-38]]. This imagery powerfully conveys the incompatibility of the radical, transformative message of the Gospel (the "new οἶνος") with the rigid, outdated structures and legalistic traditions of the old religious system (the "old wineskins"). The new truth requires new forms and a new heart to contain it.
At the Last Supper, οἶνος takes on profound theological significance as it represents the blood of Christ, sealed in the New Covenant [[Matthew 26:27-29]], [[Mark 14:23-25]], [[Luke 22:17-20]], [[1 Corinthians 11:25]]. Here, it is not merely a beverage but a sacred symbol of atonement, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between Christ and His followers.
The New Testament also addresses the misuse of οἶνος. Paul warns believers against being "drunk with οἶνος, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit" [[Ephesians 5:18]]. This admonition highlights the contrast between worldly excess and spiritual fullness, emphasizing self-control and sobriety as characteristics of the Spirit-filled life. Similarly, pastoral epistles instruct overseers and deacons to not be "addicted to much οἶνος" [[1 Timothy 3:8]], and older women not to be "enslaved to much οἶνος" [[Titus 2:3]], underscoring the importance of temperance and good repute for those in leadership and for all believers. Interestingly, Paul also advises Timothy to "no longer drink only water, but use a little οἶνος for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments" [[1 Timothy 5:23]], illustrating its accepted medicinal use.
In the book of Revelation, οἶνος frequently appears in contexts of divine judgment, particularly as the "wine of the wrath of God" or the "wine of the passion of her sexual immorality" [[Revelation 14:8]], [[Revelation 14:10]], [[Revelation 18:3]]. Here, οἶνος metaphorically represents the intoxicating allure of sin and the full, undiluted outpouring of God's righteous indignation against it.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary Old Testament Hebrew equivalent to οἶνος is יַיִן (yayin) `{{H3196}}`, which also carries a wide semantic range from blessing and joy ([[Psalm 104:15]]) to drunkenness and divine judgment ([[Isaiah 5:11]], [[Isaiah 51:17]]). This connection underscores the continuity of understanding and symbolism across the testaments.
Other related Greek terms often appear in contexts alongside οἶνος, particularly when discussing its consumption or effects:
* μέθη (methē) `{{G3178}}`: drunkenness, intoxication.
* μεθύω (methyō) `{{G3184}}`: to be drunk, to drink to intoxication.
* κῶμος (kōmos) `{{G2970}}`: revelry, carousing, often associated with excessive drinking.
Concepts closely associated with οἶνος include:
* **Joy and Celebration:** οἶνος is often linked to feasts, weddings, and times of rejoicing.
* **Provision and Blessing:** It is a product of the land, signifying God's bounty.
* **Covenant and Sacrifice:** Most profoundly in the Eucharist, symbolizing Christ's blood.
* **Transformation and Newness:** As seen in Cana and the new wineskins parable.
* **Judgment and Wrath:** The "winepress of God's wrath."
* **Temptation and Excess:** Warnings against drunkenness and debauchery.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of οἶνος is profound and multifaceted. Firstly, it stands as a symbol of God's generous provision and the joyous abundance of His creation. From the Old Testament promise of "grain and new οἶνος" ([[Deuteronomy 7:13]]) to Jesus' superabundant provision at Cana, οἶνος often signifies blessing and prosperity.
Secondly, and most pivotally, οἶνος is intrinsically linked to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. In the Eucharist, it becomes the tangible symbol of Christ's shed blood, the very essence of the new agreement between God and humanity. This sacramental use elevates οἶνος from a mere beverage to a sacred sign of atonement, forgiveness, and eternal life, pointing forward to the eschatological banquet in God's Kingdom ([[Luke 22:18]]).
Thirdly, the concept of "new οἶνος" highlights the radical and transformative nature of the Gospel. The teachings and spirit of Christ cannot be contained within the outdated legalistic frameworks of the past; they demand a new way of life, a new spiritual disposition.
Finally, οἶνος serves as a potent metaphor for divine judgment and human sin. The "wine of God's wrath" vividly portrays the severity and certainty of divine retribution against unrighteousness. Conversely, warnings against drunkenness underscore the ethical imperative for believers to exercise self-control and pursue spiritual sobriety, reflecting the indwelling of the Holy Spirit rather than worldly indulgence.
### Summary
The Greek word οἶνος (oînos) `{{G3631}}` is a rich and complex term in the New Testament, primarily denoting "wine." Its literal meaning forms the basis for a wide array of symbolic and figurative uses. οἶνος is a powerful symbol of divine blessing, joyous celebration, and particularly, the New Covenant established through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, represented by His blood in the Eucharist. It also serves to illustrate the transformative nature of the Gospel ("new οἶνος in new wineskins") and the incompatibility of Christ's teachings with old paradigms. Conversely, οἶνος is used to depict the dangers of human excess and the severity of divine judgment, as seen in warnings against drunkenness and the "wine of God's wrath." Understanding οἶνος thus requires appreciating its dual capacity to signify both life-giving blessing and the consequences of sin, all within the overarching narrative of God's redemptive plan.
TRV