In the English Bible, the word “wine” is used to translate principally one Hebrew word and one Greek word (though a very few others are found). These are yayin (Hebrew – Old Testament) and oinos (Greek – New Testament). It is important to know that these words are both generic terms that can have reference to the freshly squeezed juice of grapes or to the fermented, thus alcoholic (Rushmore, Beverage Alcohol, pg. 23). Therefore, you find passages in scripture such as 1 Timothy 5:23 where Paul told Timothy to “drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” Or you can turn to John 2, which is a favorite among those seeking to justify the consumption of alcohol, and find Jesus miraculously turning water into “wine.” Do these examples mean that Paul encouraged Timothy to partake of alcohol or that Jesus provided some one hundred and fifty gallons of alcohol for wedding guests? No, because such would have been a blatant violation of God’s law (Habakkuk 2:15 – “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest they bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness.”). It is obvious that on those occasions the generic term is being used to refer merely to the freshly squeezed juice of grapes. But how can we know the difference? Context. On every occasion in the Bible where the term “wine” is used, even though it is a generic term, the context in which it is used can easily signify if it is referring to that which is alcoholic or that which is not. Because alcoholic wine has been and is condemned by God in both the Old Testament law as well as the New Testament law, if the term “wine” is used in a negative and condemned fashion, it must refer to that which is alcoholic. But if it refers to the term “wine” in a positive, non-condemned sense, it must refer to that which is pure. By paying attention to the context, the usage is quite apparent and becomes a matter of common sense.
Does the Bible blatantly condemn the consumption of alcohol? Yes, in any form and in any amount. Thus whether one is drinking “socially” and “with moderation,” or with the intention of “getting plastered” they do so in direct violation of God’s law and risk the consequences of which we shall now turn attention.
The Bible’s consequences of alcohol consumption. Anyone who maintains they can consume any amount of alcohol and not have to face the accountability of any consequences do so either in ignorance or stubbornness. The consequences associated with the use of alcohol are well documented medically, socially, and spiritually. While the medical consequences of alcohol consumption are assumed to be well known, most pass those consequences off as only linked to drunkenness, binge drinking, or alcoholism rather than simply “social drinking” in small, meager amounts. However, even small amounts of alcohol in any form can pose devastating medical effects as cited by Mark Davey:
By drinking alcohol you place your health at risk. You risk damaging your brain which may result in: memory loss, confusion, disorganization, decreased work performance, poor coordination, impaired ability to learn new things, hallucinations, fits, permanent brain damage, aggression, suspicion or paranoia, impulsiveness. You risk damaging your heart which may lead to: high blood pressure, irregular pulse, damaged heart muscle. You risk damaging your liver resulting in: impaired liver function, severe swelling and pain, inflamed liver (hepatitis), largely irreversible cirrhosis (scarring), liver cancer. You risk damaging your stomach which may result in the stomach lining becoming inflamed, bleeding and ulcers. You risk damaging your intestines which may lead to inflammation, bleeding and ulcers. You risk damaging your pancreas causing painful inflammation and bleeding. You risk damaging your muscles resulting in weakness and loss of muscle tissue. Your risk damaging your nervous system leading to a loss of sensation in your hands and feet caused by damaged nerves (tingling) (“Alcohol,” The Drug Data Series).
Does it appear that the medical consequences of alcohol consumption are limited to large amounts? The evidence dictates that in the treatment of our bodies, the temples of God (1 Corinthians 6:12-20), that the drinking of alcohol in any amount, even a little at a time, can be devastating to our internal functions.