What does the Bible say about alcohol?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has declared January Substance Use Treatment Month. An excerpt from their website states that the month – long observation serves to support:
- People contemplating or seeking help for their substance use
- Practitioners treating or considering treating substance use disorder
- Friends, family, and loved ones of those with substance use conditions.
In my professional field of addiction medicine, we treat patients who struggle with various substance use disorders, including alcohol. Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated with alcohol, it tends to be viewed differently from other substances, to the extent that abstaining from alcohol is frequently viewed as abnormal. The month of January is a time when many people take time to reflect on their lives and make plans for the future. Many people who do drink alcohol observe “Dry January,” which involves a commitment to abstaining from alcohol for the whole month.
Spirituality is an important component of recovery, so this is a good opportunity to review what the Bible has to say about alcohol. As with so many other issues, there are Bible verses that can be used to support drinking alcohol (in moderation) and others that support abstinence, with strong warnings against drunkenness.
Passages where alcohol is portrayed in a positive light
Deuteronomy 14:22-26 (NIV)
22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the Lord your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the Lord will choose to put his Name is so far away), 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the Lord your God will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice.
The prosperity preachers will definitely not like this one, but that’s a separate discussion. In this passage, the Israelites are told to trade their tithes for silver (money) and use it to buy whatever they want, including wine (fermented drink).
Proverbs 3:7-10 (NIV)
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
This passage speaks of new wine in the context of divine blessings.
John 2:9-10 (NIV)
9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
Notably, in the New Testament, Jesus’ first recorded miracle was turning water into wine.
Passages that warn against alcohol
Proverbs 20:1 (NIV)
Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.Proverbs 21:17 (NIV)
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.Leviticus 10:9 (NIV)
“You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come,
1 Timothy 3:8 (NIV)
In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
Galatians 5:21 (NIV)
and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Passages that support the medicinal use of alcohol
1 Timothy 5:23 (NIV)
Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
In this passage, Timothy is advised to “drink a little wine” because of his health issues.
Proverbs 31:4-7 (NIV)
It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,
not for rulers to crave beer,
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
Let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
I have to confess that I never saw the connection to palliative care in the above passage until I listened to Mike Winger’s YouTube video on this subject. (For anyone who is interested, he has a video that addresses this topic in much more detail on his self-named YouTube channel. Disclaimer – I am not one of his followers, but I did find this video very helpful in providing material for this essay).
It does make sense that this passage recommends giving alcohol as a form of palliation to people who are already dying – so they can forget their pain and misery.
There are many more passages in the Bible that mention alcohol, more than can be covered in a single essay. Like anything else, moderation is key. For some people, complete abstinence is the best approach. The risk of developing any addiction includes genetic and environmental factors. Someone born into a family with parents who misuse alcohol will likely have a higher overall risk due to the combined impact of genetics and environmental exposure. Each individual has to make their own decisions, but understanding one’s own risk profile can be very helpful. For some, total abstinence is the wisest course of action. Others may be able to drink in moderation without any adverse effects.
A multifaceted disease requires a comprehensive approach
Recovery from any addiction goes beyond the physical – it includes emotional and psychological issues. For many, it also involves spirituality, which provides a sense of connection and purpose beyond oneself. This may or may not involve specific religious practices, but it can play a vital role in recovery.
A comprehensive approach to the treatment of addiction involves addressing all spheres of a patient’s life, including their social issues and family dynamics. Treatment also has to be individualized, often involving a combination of therapy and medication. Addiction is a brain disease and sometimes medications are needed, in addition to therapy and other forms of support, to help the brain heal. With the right support and appropriate care, recovery is possible!
If you or a loved one are struggling with any substance use disorder, help is available. Some resources are listed at the bottom of this page.
If you are interested in methadone maintenance for opioid use disorder, you may find this book useful:
https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Methadone-Maze-Patients-Professionals-ebook/dp/B0FB43V7WR
If you are interested in resources for self – reflection and contemplation, these resources may be helpful:
https://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Recovery-Butterfly-Olapeju-Simoyan/dp/B0BVF7PHQM
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Foolproof-Wisdom-Daily-ebook/dp/B0BN67DTN1
From SAMHSA:
If you’re struggling with drugs or alcohol, talk to your doctor. FDA-approved medications, such as buprenorphine & methadone, are lifesaving tools in treating opioid use disorders: samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders #TreatmentMonth
Faith or a spiritual community can offer grounding, connection, and purpose during recovery. For many, that support is a lifeline. #FaithAndRecovery #TreatmentMonth #FindYourPath
If you need immediate help or guidance, these hotlines and online groups are invaluable:
- National Helpline (SAMHSA): Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential, free assistance 24/7. They can provide referrals and information about treatment.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 support from trained crisis counselors.
- Online support groups:
- SMART Recovery Online: Offers meetings and forums focused on self-empowered recovery.
- Reddit Recovery Communities: Subreddits like r/OpiatesRecovery provide peer-to-peer support.
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In