What the Sacred Scriptures say to us about the consumption of alcoholic beverages has been of much debate throughout time: some say the Scriptures completely prohibit it, others say that it permits it under certain moral conditions, while others disregard what it teaches on this matter.

Certainly, those who assume a licentious position on the matter (unrestrained consumption of alcoholic beverages, at least ‘on occasion’) will tell those who oppose the practice (at least to excess) that the Scriptures do not completely forbid the consumption of wine, liquor, and alcohol, and that St. Paul instructs Timothy to consume not water alone but water with a bit of wine to treat his illness. True, the Scriptures do not altogether condemn the consumption of wine, liquor, and alcohol — yet they do remind us that it is a sin to consume such to an excess, something that many like to ignore, as those who argue in this manner often like to drink to excess, at least ‘on occasion’ — a phrase they use to justify what they actually do on a regular basis. Furthermore, while the condemnation of Scripture on the consumption of alcoholic beverages applies not as an absolute condemnation but only to the abuse of it, the Scriptures do not mandate the consumption of wine, alcohol, and liquor — the Scriptures teach us that one may consume it, given that one does not abuse it outside its moral boundaries, yet the Scriptures do not command one to consume alcoholic beverages. The Scriptures only teach us that one may consume them if one desires to, given that one does not do so excessively, yet it does not mandate us to do so.

Furthermore, what many fail to realize is that, while there is a moral aspect to St. Paul’s statement to Timothy, it is an advise that is more medical in nature than moral. Certainly St. Paul would not advise anyone to commit an immoral act for the sake of one’s health, yet we must keep in mind the aforementioned moral guidelines on the consumption of alcoholic beverages. On this statement of the Apostle to the Gentiles we must keep in mind that St. Paul advises Timothy to consume wine, but do do so for medical purposes, hence in a moderate manner, not to an excess or for licentious and mundane purposes.

Many fail to realize what Scripture says on this matter because few study what the Scriptures actually teach on this. One conveniently overlooks what the moral law dictates and commands or prohibits in regards to what one would conventionally enjoy doing. Let us for a few minutes read and study what the sacred words have to teach us on this matter.

(Scripture quotations with an accompanying commentary shall be presented in a forthcoming article).