Drunkenness

Drunkenness for our purposes can be considered the result of overindulgence in alcoholic beverages or the use of other chemical substances to produce a state of intoxication. Since we are addressing a sinful activity, the practice of which will keep us from heaven, let us take a look at examples of the actual word usage and associated concepts/ activities in the New Testament.*

G3632. oinophlugia; from G3631 and a form of the base of G5397; an overflow (or surplus) of wine, i.e. vinolency (drunkenness): -- excess of wine.

(Galatians 5:21) "... envying, drunkenness (oinophlugia), carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

The Biblical discussion of drunkenness incorporates the concept of excess/dissipation or being out of control. For instance:

G810. asotia; from a comp. of G1 (as a neg. particle) and a presumed der. of G4982; prop. unsavedness, i.e. (by impl.) profligacy: -- excess, riot.

(Ephesians 5:18) "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation (asotia), but be filled with the Spirit,"

Other words associated with drunken activity include:

G2970. komos; from G2749; a carousal (as if a letting loose): -- revelling, rioting.

G4224. potos; from the alt. of G4095; a drinking-bout or carousal: -- banqueting.

G3178. methe; appar. a prim. word; an intoxicant, i.e. (by impl.) intoxication:--drunkenness.

A good summation scripture is the following with a particularly insightful prediction of the reactions of one's old drinking/ using partners.

(1 Peter 4:2-5) "... so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness (oinophlugia), carousals (komos), drinking parties (potos) and abominable idolatries. And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you; but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."

Other scriptures addressing drunkenness include:

(Romans 13:13) "Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing (komos) and drunkenness (methe), not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy."

(Luke 21:34) "Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness (methe) and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap;"

G3630. oinopotes; from G3631 and a der. of the alt. of G4095; a tippler:--winebibber.

(Matthew 11:19) "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard (oinopotes), a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."

(Luke 7:34) "The Son of Man has come eating and drinking; and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard (oinopotes), a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!'"

G3184. methuo; from another form of G3178; to drink to intoxication, i.e. get drunk: -- drink well, make (be) drunk (-en).

(Matthew 24:48-51) "But if that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,' and shall begin to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and shall cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; weeping shall be there and the gnashing of teeth."

(John 2:10) "Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then that which is poorer; you have kept the good wine until now."

(Acts 2:15) "For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;"

(1 Corinthians 11:21) "... for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk."

(1 Thessalonians 5:7) "For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night."

The English word "addicted" is used in the New Testament in reference to "much wine." The following is the definition of the actual Greek word used and its application.

4337. prosecho; from G4314 and G2192; (fig.) to hold the mind (G3563 impl.) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to: -- (give) attend (-ance, -ance at, -ance to, unto), beware, be given to, give (take) heed (to, unto) have regard.

(1 Timothy 3:8) "Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted (prosecho) to much wine or fond of sordid gain,..."

(1 Timothy 4:1) "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to (prosecho) deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,..."

(1 Timothy 4:13) "Until I come, give attention to (prosecho) the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching."

(Titus 1:14) "...not paying attention to (prosecho) Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth."

G1402. douloo; from G1401; to enslave (lit. or fig.):--bring into (be under) bondage, X given, become (make) servant.

(Acts 7:6) "But God spoke to this effect, that his OFFSPRING WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED (douloo) AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS."

(Romans 6:18) "... and having been freed from sin, you became slaves (douloo) of righteousness."

(Romans 6:22) "But now having been freed from sin and enslaved (douloo) to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life."

(Titus 2:3) "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved (douloo) to much wine, teaching what is good,..."

The concept of freedom from the enslaving bonds of sin is addressed under "freedom."

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* All definitions are from the Dictionary of the Greek Testament by James Strong.