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

Leviticus 10:8–9; Ezekiel 44:21 priests; Numbers 6:1–4, Numbers 6:20 Nazirites; Judges 13:2–5, Judges 13:7, Judges 13:13–14; Proverbs 31:4–5; Isaiah 22:12–13; Jeremiah 35:1–14; Daniel 1:5–16; Matthew 11:18; Luke 1:15; Matthew 27:34 Jesus Christ; Romans 14:21 the Christian who does not want to give offence

Warnings against the abuse of alcohol

Isaiah 5:11 See also Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 5:22; Habakkuk 2:15; Luke 21:34; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, 1 Corinthians 11:20–21; Galatians 5:19–21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:7–8; Titus 2:3

Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine.

Christian leaders are to be sober

1 Timothy 3:2–3 See also 1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

Examples of drunkenness

Genesis 9:20–21, Genesis 19:30–35; 1 Samuel 25:36; 2 Samuel 11:12–13; 1 Kings 16:9, 1 Kings 20:16; Esther 1:10; Isaiah 28:7, Isaiah 56:10–12; Matthew 24:49 parallel Luke 12:45

Some accusations of drunkenness were unfounded

1 Samuel 1:13–15; Matthew 11:19 parallel Luke 7:34; Acts 2:13–15 the disciples on the day of Pentecost