4436 drinking, abstention from

Scripture indicates that the abuse of drinking, such as drunkenness, is unacceptable. It also indicates the advantages of abstention from drinking in certain situations.

For some, at certain times, total abstinence is right

Lev 10:8-9; Eze 44:21 priests; Nu 6:1-4,20 Nazirites; Jdg 13:2-5,7,13-14; Pr 31:4-5; Isa 22:12-13; Jer 35:1-14; Da 1:5-16 John the Baptist: Mt 11:18; Lk 1:15
Mt 27:34 Jesus Christ; Ro 14:21 the Christian who does not want to give offence

Warnings against the abuse of alcohol

Isa 5:11 See also Pr 20:1; Isa 5:22; Hab 2:15; Lk 21:34; Ro 13:13; 1Co 6:9-10; 1Co 11:20-21; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:18; 1Th 5:7-8; Tit 2:3

Christian leaders are to be sober

1Ti 3:2-3 See also 1Ti 3:8; Tit 1:7

Examples of drunkenness

Ge 9:20-21; Ge 19:30-35; 1Sa 25:36; 2Sa 11:12-13; 1Ki 16:9; 1Ki 20:16; Est 1:10; Isa 28:7; Isa 56:10-12; Mt 24:49 pp Lk 12:45

Some accusations of drunkenness were unfounded

1Sa 1:13-15; Mt 11:19 pp Lk 7:34; Ac 2:13-15 the disciples on the day of Pentecost

See also