Wine, Wisdom, and Walking with Christ

Here in Ukraine recently, I was reminded of this tension. The Evangelical and Pentecostal churches here generally hold a strict stance against any alcohol consumption. This is unsurprising, given the devastating impact alcoholism has had on the nation, particularly

among the communities

they often reach.

While the incidence of alcoholism is declining, its presence is still obvious. Leaders here point out the harm even a small amount of alcohol can cause to those who are vulnerable. Yet, curiously, despite a near-absolute ban during the week for the sake of witness, most churches here still use alcoholic wine for communion.

I’ve seen something similar in my own life, though from a different angle. As a young man and leader, I chose not to drink alcohol. Interestingly, I never felt pressure from unbelievers to drink. it was mainly from some believers. Perhaps they thought I was trapped in legalism. But I’ve never been bothered by fellow Christians enjoying a beer or glass of wine.

What does bother me is how often Christians form opinions on alcohol without deeply engaging Scripture.

Some treat biblical permission as a licence to adopt the culture’s casual attitudes toward drinking—flirting with sin rather than exercising wisdom.

 So, what does the Bible really say? Does it encourage drinking, forbid it, or simply warn us?

How should we understand terms like “strong drink”? And when does drinking cross the line into the sin of “drunkenness”?

To answer these questions, we must examine Scripture carefully, understand the historical context of alcohol in the ancient world, and seek to apply God’s wisdom today.

Wine as a gift, not a Sin

The Bible never teaches that drinking wine or alcohol is sinful. Rather, wine is often described as a gift from God, a symbol of blessing, joy, and abundance.

“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.” (Psalm 104:14–15, NIV)

“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7, NIV)

Wine was central to Jewish life, appearing in feasts, offerings, and celebrations (Deuteronomy 14:26; Numbers 15:5–10). Jesus Himself drank wine (Luke 7:33–34) and famously produced it at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1–11). The Last Supper also used wine (Mark 14:23–25).

The drinking of wine is not sinful. However, Scripture consistently portrays alcohol as a double-edged gift: one that can gladden the heart but also enslave and destroy if abused.

Drunkenness is always sinful

While moderate drinking is permitted, drunkenness is consistently condemned in Scripture as sinful, shameful, and destructive.

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18, NIV)

“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.” (Romans 13:13, NIV)

“Neither the sexually immoral… nor drunkards… will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10, NIV)

Drunkenness is not just frowned upon but put together with sins that destroy lives and exclude from God’s kingdom. Philo of Alexandria, a Jewish philosopher contemporary to the New Testament, called drunkenness “the cause of innumerable evils” (On the Special Laws 4.192).

Historical and Cultural context

To understand biblical teaching, we must also understand what “wine” meant in biblical times. We must be careful not to read our cultural or past experiences as the same.

1.     Wine was fermented and alcoholic.

Biblical wine (yayin in Hebrew, oinos in Greek) could intoxicate (Genesis 9:21; John 2:10).However, alcohol content of wine was normally lower than modern fortified wines. The techniques used to create higher alcohol content was not known till the middle ages.  Robinson, Jancis (ed.) The Oxford Companion to Wine, 5th ed. Oxford University Press, 2023

2.     Wine was usually diluted with water.

Both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures mixed wine with water, typically 3:1 or 4:1 (water to wine). Pliny the Elder notes this (Natural History 14.6), and the Mishnah (Pesahim 10:7) prescribes dilution for Passover.

3.     Undiluted wine was viewed as dangerous.

"We call the drinking of unmixed wine barbaric; yet Scythians, Thracians, and Celts drink their wine undiluted, becoming mad and committing dreadful acts." Plutarch, Symposiacs 3.9.1 (Loeb Classical Library, 1936) c. 46–120 AD) – Symposiacs 3.9.1

Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215) wrote

 “It is best for the wine to be mixed with as much water as possible” (Paedagogus 2.2).

While ancient wine was alcoholic, it was generally far milder than most modern wines and spirits, especially when consumed in its common diluted form.We have come to understand wine through the lens of techniques beyond most ancient practices regarding wine.

What Is “Strong Drink”?

The Old Testament regularly warns against “strong drink” (shekar), sometimes translated “beer” or “liquor.”

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1, NIV)

“Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.” (Proverbs 23:31–32, NIV)

“Strong drink” referred to beverages with higher alcohol content than typical diluted wine, such as unmixed wine, date or honey-based drinks, and early forms of beer or liquor. These were more intoxicating and often associated with excess, pagan rituals, and loss of control (Isaiah 5:11; Hosea 4:11).

Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215) “Use wine as medicine… but beware lest it lead to intoxication. Mix it with water and sip it moderately.” (Paedagogus 2.2)

Scholar Robert H. Stein notes that shekar approximates modern strong liquors or undiluted wines (“Wine-Drinking in New Testament Times,” Christianity Today, 1975).

I have to admit I get a bit nervous in this area because I believe a lot of believer’s flirt with drunkenness regularly, consuming alcohol that is from an historic perspective 'strong drink'.We are told to be careful with such drinks. I often think we are careless and thus stumble or cause our brother to stumble.

What Defines Drunkenness?

The Bible doesn’t measure drunkenness by a legal blood alcohol level but by a loss of Spirit-led self-control and judgment. 

Three markers define it.

1.     Loss of self-control

“I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV)

“Do not get drunk on wine… instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18, NIV)

Drunkenness begins when alcohol, rather than the Spirit, governs the mind and actions. It is not whatever legal limit has been imposed by the government for driving a car.

2.     Visible impairment and foolish behaviour

A drunk person may “reel,” “stagger,” and “stumble” (Isaiah 28:7, NIV). Noah (Genesis 9:21) and Lot (Genesis 19:33–35) serve as examples where impaired judgment led to shame and sin. The contrast to drunk biblically is not an alcohol measure but sober clarity. I believe what some people joke of as ‘tipsy’ is most certainly drunk. Sober mindedness has gone.

3.     Heart posture of indulgence or escape

“Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine.” (Isaiah 5:11, NIV)

“Do not join those who drink too much wine… for drunkards and gluttons become poor.” (Proverbs 23:20–21, NIV)

If you ‘need a drink’ you have a problem that needs to be addressed.

Thus, biblically, drunkenness is any state, physical and spiritual where alcohol compromises a person’s ability to think, speak, and act in a godly, self-controlled manner, regardless of the exact quantity consumed.

What about Leaders?

The Bible often called leaders, judges, and those serving in influential roles to be more careful when it comes to alcohol.

“It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.” (Proverbs 31:4–5, NIV)

“You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die… so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common.” (Leviticus 10:8–10, NIV)

Nazirites, like Samson or John the Baptist, some of whom served as deliverers or judges, abstained completely (Numbers 6:1–4).

Elders and deacons are to be “not given to much wine” (1 Timothy 3:3, 8), reflecting a life of sobriety and example.

The principle is clear, those entrusted with leadership or judgment are called to a higher standard, avoiding anything that clouds discernment or damages their witness.

Caring for the Weaker Brother or Sister

Even when drinking is lawful, Paul urges believers to consider its effect on others.

“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.” (Romans 14:21, NIV)

Love, not personal liberty, must guide our choices. Abstaining or adapting for the sake of a struggling believer or to protect our witness is an act of Christlike love. That may be outworked a little differently in different lives, but the priority of our brother is supposed to supersede our own liberty.

REASONS YOU SHOULD ENJOY A GLASS OF WINE (OR BEER)

1. ENJOYMENT

There is enjoyment in it. God Created Them for Enjoyment

“He makes… wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.” Psalm 104:14–15

2. GRATITUDE

It can be received with gratitude toward God. Wine is mentioned as part of God’s good creation something to be received with gratitude (cf. 1 Timothy 4:4).

“Buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink… and rejoice there in the presence of the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 14:26

Wine often symbolises abundance, joy, and the future messianic banquet (also echoed in John 2:1–11)

It can have some medicinal benefit (especially if you can’t drink local water)

“Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:23

REASONS YOU MAY ABSTAIN (OR ADAPT)

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.” Rom 14

1. WEAKNESS

You have a weakness toward alcohol or addictive substances. Avoiding drunkenness and sin

"If a person struggles with self-control or temptation, it’s better to abstain entirely" (cf. Proverbs 20:1).

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

2. CONVICTION

“But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.” Rom 14:14

Following your conscience is crucial. If your conscience is telling you not to do or consume something, don’t. Now of course we are not talking about what God has told us ‘to do’ but rather matters that can be different between brothers and sisters in Christ

3. LOVE

I remember deciding to go out with two new guys I had met at Church. They were new to town so I gave them the address of the pub in the city and a time. We sat down, thankfully away from the bar and I and they ordered a Coke (I don’t drink personally). Very quickly I found out that both were recovering alcoholics. That night I heard how just one drink for these guys could lead them off the cliff, destroying their jobs, marriages and families.

That obviously is not true for all but in this instance I had not even considered that I could be inviting someone into temptation. It was not the pub, or even the presence of alcohol itself that struck me but that I did not even consider their weakness,

I liked having a game of pool (or billiards). I felt a deep conviction of the Spirit that night. I had walked two weak brothers, who did not want to embarrass me into a dangerous place. One sip could trigger a cataclysmic loss of sobriety, a marriage, a family and work.

“If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.” Rom 14:15 – 16

“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.” Romans 14:21)

4. CALLING

The Nazarite vow demonstrates a promise and specific devotion to God, which among many things demands an absolute abstinence from alcohol. (Numbers 6:3; Luke 1:15)

Now of course, for you or I this may not be the same but as with Kings and Judges there is a consequence and cost in calling. Often, this is about combining the other factors to demonstrate, in your position a level of credibility that empowers your influence and removes doubts and suspicions.

Conclusion: The Cup and the Cross

Wine can gladden the heart, but it can also enslave the soul. The Bible holds both these truths. The calling of believers is to be Spirit-filled, self-controlled and demonstrating love for others. Whether we drink or abstain, our choices must reflect Christ’s lordship and our call to holiness. 

Each believer must ask

•         Will drinking glorify God in this context? (1 Corinthians 10:31)

•         Will this lead me—or another—toward sin? (Romans 14:21)

•         Will it master me? (1 Corinthians 6:12)

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval” Rom 14:17 - 18

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV)

References

1. Robert H. Stein, “Wine-Drinking in New Testament Times,” Christianity Today, June 20, 1975.

2. James B. Jordan, Wine and the Bible (Geneva Ministries, 1986).

3. Craig S. Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (IVP Academic, 1993).

4. Philo of Alexandria, On the Special Laws (Loeb Classical Library).

5. Pliny the Elder, Natural History 14.6.

6. Mishnah, Pesahim 10:7.

7. Clement of Alexandria, Paedagogus 2.2.

8. Tertullian, Apology 39; On Modesty 12.

9. The Didache, translated in The Apostolic Fathers (Loeb Classical Library).