Is Alcohol prohibited or permitted?

Answer 1

If you're talking about alcohol permitted in a Christian's life?

What good is alcohol associated with in today's time?

The only thing I can see is Medicinal.

All others I can see is Drunken Driving, Unwanted Pregnancies, Lack of sound judgement, abuse, cirrhosis of the liver, Revelries, addiction, poverty, passing out, hang overs, etc..

Many trying to live a life of goodness see the evils of alcohol.

Paul said to Timothy,

1Ti 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Many will justify this passage as saying, "That means alcohol is okay!" Not necessarily, what's the motivation? To have fun and get a buzz or for medicinal purposes. Also, "wine" in Greek, was used in the fermented and unfermented senses, and it was also used for purification purposes of water. Does Paul condone strong liquor (Rum, Tequila, Wine) in this passage for pleasure? Absolutely not!

Luk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.


1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Do you see the contrast between seeking pleasures to the flesh in drunkenness and seeking the things after the spirit?

It's not that alcohol is inheritanly bad, but what is your motivation and purpose for using it, and what is it associated with in this day and time? Is it for helping your stomach, purification of water, or is it for pleasure and a buzz?

Answer 2

It is prohibited.

The word "wine" in the Bible sometimes refers to the new, or fresh, juice of the grape; other times it is used to describe the aged or fermented product containing the drug alcohol. The translators never used the term "grape juice." In the Hebrew text, the writers use different words to distinguish between the two. The word tî¹²?is used for new unfermented wine, and yayin is generally used for fermented wine, but there are some exceptions (Isaiah 16:10). However, in the New Testament, only one Greek word is used to describe both fermented and fresh grape juice: oinis. But this shouldn't be a problem. By simply understanding the context of the word in a passage, the appropriate meaning will usually surface. So unless the passage says old or new wine (as in Luke 5:37-39), the context will often tell us what kind of grape juice is being described.

See link for more explanation:

Answer 3

Question: "What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine?"



Answer: Several verses encourage people to stay away from alcohol (Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Deuteronomy 14:26; 29:6; Judges 13:4,7,14; 1 Samuel 1:15; Proverbs 20:1; 31:4,6; Isaiah 5:11,22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12; Micah 2:11; Luke 1:15). However, Scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Christians are commanded to avoid drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). The Bible condemns drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered” by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19). Scripture also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or might encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). In light of these principles, it would be extremely difficult for any Christian to say they are drinking alcohol to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).



Jesus changed water into wine. It even seems that Jesus likely drank wine on occasion (John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29). In New Testament times, the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation efforts, the water was filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. The same is true in most third-world countries today. As a result, people often drank wine (or grape juice) because it was far less likely to be contaminated. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul was instructing Timothy to stop drinking the water (which was probably causing his stomach problems) and instead drink wine. The Greek word for wine in the Bible is the most basic everyday word for wine. In that day, wine was fermented, but not to the degree it is today. It is incorrect to say that it was grape juice, but it is also incorrect to say that it was the same thing as the wine we use today. Again, Scripture does not necessarily forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. It is, rather, drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12). There are principles in the Bible, however, that make it extremely difficult to argue that a Christian drinking alcohol in any quantity is pleasing to God.

Recommended Resource: Moral Choices by Scott Rae.

Answer 4

The terms prohibited and permitted are relative terms. The answer to your question would depend on whether you are asking in terms of a community, or country or religion.
Certain religions and countries prohibit alcohol while it is permitted elsewhere..

Answer 5

Proverbs 21:1 (I think) says "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

The wine Jesus made at the wedding was unfermented wine--juice. You can see that from the conversation the guests had with the host about bringing out the "new wine." With alcoholic wine, the older the better, not the newer the better. This couldn't have been alcohol.

Answer 6

If your Catholic, then its prohibited...
Rule 1. make lots of babys
Rule 2. Drink lots
Rule 3. Refur back to rule 1 and 2 if confused

Answer 7

For Christians, alcohol in moderation is okay. Even Jesus did a little social drinking and produced all that wine for the wedding guests. It's when you drink too much that you get into trouble.

Answer 8

If you are talking about for Christians, since its in the religion section, alcohol is ok if you have a drink or two, but to go off and get drunk everyweekend or something isn't okay. In the bible they talk about people drinking. But it says that your body is a temple and you shouldn't abuse it, so getting plastered is considered abusing you body.

Answer 9

All things, including alcohol, are lawful to me. But not all things are expedient. I may drink. But I WILL not to get drunk, so I employ moderation.

Oh, and sorry Irishharpist, but the steward proclaimed Jesus' wine not as newer, but as better. It was indeed alcoholic.

Answer 10

both. Depends on which denomination you are. Some believe in outright prohibition, while others can do it in moderation.