Lexical Summary methuskó: To make drunk, to intoxicate Original Word: μεθύσκω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to intoxicate, make drunkA prolonged (transitive) form of methuo; to intoxicate -- be drunk(-en). see GREEK methuo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincaus. form of methuó Definition to make drunk NASB Translation get drunk (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3182: μεθύσκωμεθύσκω: passive, present μεθύσκομαι; 1 aorist ἐμεθυσθην; (from μέθυ, see μέθη); from Herodotus down; the Sept. for רִוָּה, הִרְוָה (Kal רָוָה), and שִׁכֵּר, to intoxicate, make drunk; passive (cf. Winers Grammar, 252 (237)) to get drunk, become intoxicated: Luke 12:45; John 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:7 (Buttmann, 62 (54)); οἴνῳ (Winer's Grammar, 217 (203)), Ephesians 5:18; ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου, Revelation 17:2 (see ἐκ, II. 5); τοῦ νεκταρος, Plato, symp., p. 203 b.; Lucian, dial. deor. 6, 3; ἀπό τίνος, Sir. 1:16 Sir. 35:13. Topical Lexicon Concept Overview Strong’s Greek 3182 depicts the state of becoming intoxicated. Scripture employs the term both literally and figuratively, warning against the loss of vigilance and spiritual clarity that accompanies drunkenness. All four New Testament occurrences highlight either moral negligence or eschatological judgment. Biblical Occurrences and Themes 1. Luke 12:45 – In the Lord’s parable the unfaithful servant “begins to eat and drink and get drunk,” signaling disregard for the master’s imminent return. Intoxication here represents willful unpreparedness and self-indulgence. Historical and Cultural Background Wine was a staple of first-century Mediterranean life, serving medicinal, celebratory, and sacramental roles. Fermented beverages were typically diluted, yet excessive drinking was common in pagan banquets and mystery cults. Early Christians, shaped by Jewish sobriety ideals (Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 5:11), rejected the culture’s excesses, viewing drunkenness as incompatible with holiness (compare Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21). Theological Significance • Moral Vigilance: Drunkenness clouds judgment, emblematic of spiritual sleep. Believers are repeatedly summoned to alertness, especially concerning Christ’s return (Luke 21:34; 1 Peter 5:8). Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Discipleship: Teach moderation and self-control, emphasizing that liberty never excuses behavior that imperils conscience or causes others to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). Canonical Connections – Old Testament warnings: Noah’s shame (Genesis 9:21), Nadab and Abihu’s likely inebriation (Leviticus 10:9), and the woe oracles against drunken leaders (Isaiah 28:7-8) reinforce the New Testament stance. – Wisdom Literature: Proverbs extols sobriety as the path of wisdom and life (Proverbs 23:29-35). – Eschatology: Intoxication imagery recurs in prophetic contexts (Jeremiah 51:7; Habakkuk 2:15), forecasting the final downfall of prideful powers, fulfilled climactically in Revelation 17. Practical Exhortation “Let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8). The call is not merely to abstain from excess but to pursue a Spirit-governed mind, ever alert to the Lord’s purposes, reflecting the holiness of the kingdom that cannot be shaken. Forms and Transliterations εμεθυσθησαν ἐμεθύσθησαν μεθυσκεσθαι μεθύσκεσθαι μεθυσκεσθε μεθύσκεσθε μεθυσκομενοι μεθυσκόμενοι μεθύσκον μεθύσκονται μεθύσκων μέθυσμα μεθύσματι emethusthesan emethusthēsan emethysthesan emethysthēsan emethýsthesan emethýsthēsan methuskesthai methuskesthe methuskomenoi methyskesthai methýskesthai methyskesthe methýskesthe methyskomenoi methyskómenoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 12:45 V-PNM/PGRK: πίνειν καὶ μεθύσκεσθαι NAS: and to eat and drink and get drunk; KJV: drink, and to be drunken; INT: to drink and to be drunkards Ephesians 5:18 V-PNM/P-2P 1 Thessalonians 5:7 V-PPM/P-NMP Revelation 17:2 V-AIP-3P Strong's Greek 3182 |
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