1 Timothy 5:23 23No longer drink water but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and frequent illnesses.
This verse seems odd in this context but the principle behind it is important for consideration. Paul appears to shift topics from how Timothy should lead the church to drinking wine. However, the general theme of Timothy’s purity and integrity are still in the background. Paul is concerned in this verse with Timothy’s health. Paul puts on his doctor’s hat of common health sense to give some home spun advice about Timothy’s stomach problems.
There is not enough information in this verse to know what Timothy’s problems were, but we can surmise that it may have had to do with poor food or water quality. Anyone who has traveled to foreign countries or participated in church potlucks knows the ever-present danger of food poisoning or parasites in the water. Timothy was a frequent traveler. Food and water quality was poor in the ancient world, with water coming from rivers or shallow wells. It was not difficult for a person to have illnesses due to these kinds of issues.
A little wine can provide health benefits like calming the stomach or servings as an antiseptic. If Timothy did not feel well, he would not be able to give his full energy to his mission. Paul is not advocating drinking wine for pleasure here but for health reasons. Wine is mentioned many times in the Bible in both positive and negative ways. Drinking too much of it leads to inhibited thinking, which opens one to the pull of the flesh and temptation (Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:4-7; Ephesians 5:18). Wine served as a form of medicine and pain killer, such as when Jesus was on the cross (Mark 15:23).
The basic principle in this verse is that we should take care of ourselves so that we can give our full effort and energy to the ministry to which God has called us. We can use common sense, careful observation, and moderation of basic remedies to take care of many of our illnesses. At times, we may need to go to the professional doctors for prescriptions.
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