Is it a SIN to
drink wine or alcohol?

Q. What does the Bible say about drinking wine or alcohol?  Does it have any examples of people being drunk?  Is drinking a sin? Why should someone not drink at all?

(Submitted by: Lyn)

A. To understand the drinking of alcohol, wine and strong drink, we must first understand how God looks upon drinking.

In Matthew 11:18-19 Jesus said that John the Baptist came neither eating or drinking because he was under a Nazerite vow to God. Jesus' statement concerning criticism of John because he DIDN'T drink and criticism of him FOR drinking (and eating) is in the book of Matthew:

“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not lament.’

"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” (Matthew 11:16-19, NKJV throughout)

John's Nazerite vow precluded him from drinking not only wine (fermented juice) but also he couldn't drink grape juice or even eat any grapes. The primary location in the Bible that discusses the Nazarite vow is in the Book of Numbers, Chapter 6.

Unlike John, Jesus came eating and drinking, and they called Him a WINEbibber (Matthew 11:19). So Jesus drank wine, but Jesus did not sin; therefore, to drink wine or alcohol is NOT a sin.

In fact, Jesus' own mother, Mary, asked her son to make more wine at the marriage feast in Cana. He obeyed His mother even though He wasn't supposed to start doing miracles then, but He obeyed his mother and made more wine than they could drink.

One of the greatest Biblical proofs that drinking alcohol is not a sin in God's eyes is the fact that Christians drink wine showing Christ died for our sins. Some believe that "oinos" (Greek: οινος , Strong's Concordance #3631) was grape juice, but it couldn't be because it represented His blood which pictures life. God said that what gives us life is our blood. Wine is fermented grape juice which is active or "living" just as our blood.

The Apostle Paul did not think drinking wine was a sin. He tells Timothy, who was having stomach trouble, that he should drink a little wine for his stomach's sake.

"No longer drink only water, but use a little WINE for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities." (1Timothy 5:23)

Based on the Bible, drinking alcohol is of itself not a sin or harmful. As stated previously, Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine to benefit his health. The latest scientific findings show drinking moderately is helpful for our heart and lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Of course, the Bible does condemn drunkenness. Lot, Abraham's nephew, got drunk after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and had sex with his daughters (see this site's article on the subject). Titus 1:7 states that a minister of God should not be given to wine or an alcoholic. Drunkenness is clearly a sin (1Timothy 3:8).

The Apostle Paul warns us that we should not be drunk with wine, wherein is excess (Ephesians 5:18).

As long as we drink moderately, the Bible states it is good for us, but drunkenness or alcoholism is definitely a sin and not to be a part of a Christian's life.