The Christian Bible and Wine / Alcohol

The divisive subject of alcohol and Christianity has been debated for centuries. There is the infamous Wedding at Cana and the dispute over what exactly Christ made. There is the translation of the original Hebrew and Greek words to the generic English word "wine." There are the predispositions many have about what alcohol really is and what it was and is used for. Many authors on this subject, specifically how it relates to faith and the church, talk down in various ways to the reader, who may dare to disagree. But there is a sensible and non-biased way to approach the subject.

Here are a couple questions we can ask.


Does the Bible forbid or condemn alcohol?

No, it does not.

It does, however, clearly condemn the practice of drunkenness, commands us not to love alcohol, and even cautions us not to like it too much. In the Old Testament, there are about 113 neutral references to alcohol, including the "non-references" such as 'wine presses' or 'wine skins,' seventy negative, and only thirty-one positive. In a couple of cases, there were times where alcohol was temporarily forbidden, like before the priests entered the tabernacle (Leviticus 10:8-11), when priests were to enter the inner court (Ezekiel 44:21), or during a time of the Vow of the Nazirite (Numbers 6:1-20). As well, there were some who were temporarily not to drink, like Samson's mother while she was pregnant with him (Judges 13:4). But, a temporary or even permanent banishment on something is not the same thing as a total condemnation. Other things, such as sexual relations, have been temporarily forbidden, like when Moses was consecrating the Israelites to prepare for the Lord's visit (Exodus 19:15); but this is no way condemns sex. Daniel made the personal choice not to "defile" himself with King Nebuchadnezzar's "royal food and wine" (Daniel 1:8), but it is unclear if that decision was based solely on the wine. The Ten Commandments and the ordinances, property rights, sundry laws, and covenant with God (Exodus chapter 20-24; Deuteronomy 5:7-21) say nothing whatsoever about alcohol.

The New Testament is more consistently negative in its approach to alcohol. There are about fifteen neutral, twenty-seven negative, and only three positive references. There was one individual, John the Baptist, whom we know of, who was not to ever drink (Luke 1:13-15), but Scripture does not tell us why. But again, while we see multiple warnings against drunkenness in the New Testament, at no point do we find the universal statement to all readers that one "shall not" or even "should not" ever consume alcohol.

Does the Bible encourage the use of alcohol?

No, it does not.

There are a handful of positive references to the effects of alcohol and a couple mentions of using alcohol for medicinal purposes, and even a couple mentions of how God's caring for His people will produce joy and gladness one can get from wine (Zechariah 10:7). But nowhere in Scripture are there actual statements to promote or try to persuade anyone in general to drink.

In the books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, there are several references to using wine, specifically noted as fermented or "strong drink" as part of liquid offerings. This, of course, is not an invitation to consume it, but it does say that these liquid offerings produced a pleasing aroma to the Lord. One interesting passage is Deuteronomy 14:26, where discussing tithes and offerings to the Jews, God almost seems to give permission to go ahead and drink alcohol and rejoice in his Presence. But this is not an invitation to everyone in all circumstances to drink up.

In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, there are a couple positive references to alcohol's effects on a person, but as far as an invitation to drink, the closest verse that comes to it is in Proverbs 31:6: "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts." (KJV) But even this is not a broad-spectrum invitation to drink, but rather advice on alcohol's use for specific people in specific circumstances.

Jumping to the New Testament, assuming the "wine" at the wedding in Cana was fermented, that would indicate that consuming it, at least for certain occasions, is acceptable, but it is not known for a fact that it was alcoholic. The author, John, could have used a word that would leave no doubt, but he instead used an ambiguous word--"oinos"--that has left people with centuries of debate. Another example that we have looked at that has been misconstrued as a summons to drink to all is Paul's advice to Timothy to use a little wine for stomach and other ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). Again though, this was an invitation to Timothy for specific reasons, not to everyone.

Did Jesus drink alcohol? Did He endorse or condemn it?

Jesus neither endorsed it nor condemned it, but it is unknown whether He ever drank it.

In fact, Jesus did not say anything about alcohol. He could have easily included the subject in one or more of His teachings, even just to say it is okay in moderation, one should avoid it, or never touch it, but He did not. One thing He did say in regard to eating in general was that it is not what goes into a man's mouth that makes him unclean (or 'defiles' him), but rather was comes out of a man's heart (Matthew 15:17-18). Some have contended that this offers proof that Christ was okay with drinking in moderation, but I personally would not take it that far. This statement may or may not have had a thing to do with alcohol, but Christ did not mention any specifics.

In regard to the "wine" at the wedding in Cana, whether or not it was fermented, the Word does not say if He drank any of it. If Christ did actually consume any alcohol in Cana or elsewhere, He did not get drunk because He was without sin. We can also conclude that alcohol was not a considerable nor regular factor in His life, if it was at all.

We know at one point the Pharisees accused Jesus of being a drunkard (Luke 7:34), which suggests that He at least was seen in the company of individuals who were drinking, and probably drinking too much. Some have concluded from this that Christ did drink, but again this was just an accusation, and it does not prove anything. We, of course, know that His ministry was for the lost and the unsaved, which is why He was in the company of at least some drunkards to begin with.

Another place people say Jesus drank fermented wine was at the Last Supper. But if you study Scripture where this event is recorded, Matthew 26:27, Mark 14:23, and Luke 22:17, you will find no reference to wine, only the "cup." In the proceeding verses (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:19), only the NLT uses the word "wine" while all the other translations say the "fruit of the vine." There are specific words for "wine," as we have seen, so the accuracy here of the NLT may be questionable. The conclusion of this author is that the Last Supper, by the description in Scripture, did not contain fermented wine. "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; (28) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."--Matthew 26:27-28 (KJV)

A guide you may want to check out is A Toast to the Holy Ghost? This will take you verse by verse through Scripture and not just point out, but explain every reference to wine, alcohol, and fermented drink. Learn what the original Hebrew and Greek words were for alcohol and what the context they were in really said. Study this topic through the eyes of Scripture and see what positive, negative, and neutral things were said on the subject.