Qualifications:  Restraint

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1 Timothy 3 v.3 also tells us that a further qualification is that he must “not given to wine”—or “not given to much wine” (—it is just one word in the Greek). Now, you would have the thought that our previous reference to being “temperate” would have covered this point, but Paul feels he should clarify the situation further. The word he used here literally means “beside wine”—and perhaps could be considered as “lingering with the cup”, or “tippling” (which appears to be the nearest English word). To tipple means ‘to make a habit of taking alcoholic drink in small quantities’—but carries the sense of a continuing process. This indicates an addiction, of being constantly drinking the wine, even though sipping small amounts each time. The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle used this word and suggested that it meant “tipsy”, or even “rowdy”. It is a sad commentary on the culture of Paul’s day that such a warning would have to be given concerning church leaders. But is today any different?

With respect to drinking wine, Scripture appears to avoid making any issue of it. We might also remember that the alcoholic content of wine was used as a means of killing germs in water. It was the common practice to dilute 1 part fermented wine with 4 parts of water, and most people used that as their common drink. We know that Paul advised Timothy to use a little wine for the sake of his stomach and frequent illnesses (1 Timothy 5:23). But Paul also clearly states that one who fails to practice moderation has no right to a place in the eldership of a church. A wine-bibber, or drunkard, cannot be a worthy overseer. Notice that Paul has to address this issue at Corinth. “For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk.” (1 Corinthians 11:21). Paul certainly does not approve.

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