Topical Bible: Being Drunk

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Definition and Overview:
Being drunk, or drunkenness, refers to the state of intoxication resulting from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. In the Bible, drunkenness is consistently portrayed as a moral failing and a behavior that leads to various forms of sin and degradation. It is often associated with a lack of self-control and is condemned as contrary to the life of holiness and righteousness that God desires for His people.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· Genesis 9:20-21: The first mention of drunkenness in the Bible involves Noah, who became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. This incident led to shame and familial discord, highlighting the negative consequences of intoxication.
· Proverbs 20:1: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This proverb warns of the deceptive and destructive nature of alcohol.
· Proverbs 23:29-35: This passage vividly describes the woes and consequences of drunkenness, including strife, sorrow, and impaired judgment.

2. New Testament:
· Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This verse contrasts the effects of alcohol with the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, urging believers to seek spiritual fulfillment rather than physical intoxication.
· Galatians 5:19-21: Drunkenness is listed among the "acts of the flesh," which are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit. Those who practice such things "will not inherit the kingdom of God."
· 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: Paul includes drunkards among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, emphasizing the seriousness of this sin.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:
Drunkenness is often linked with other sinful behaviors, such as debauchery, immorality, and violence. It impairs judgment and self-control, leading individuals away from a life that honors God. The Bible calls believers to live soberly and vigilantly, maintaining a clear mind and a disciplined life.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In biblical times, wine was a common beverage, and its consumption was a normal part of daily life and religious ceremonies. However, the Bible distinguishes between moderate, responsible use and excessive, irresponsible consumption. The latter is consistently condemned as it leads to moral decay and spiritual downfall.

Theological Insights:
Drunkenness is seen as a failure to steward one's body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It represents a surrender to the desires of the flesh rather than submission to the will of God. The call to sobriety is not merely about abstaining from alcohol but about living a life that is controlled by the Spirit and aligned with God's purposes.

Practical Applications:
Believers are encouraged to exercise self-control and to avoid situations that may lead to drunkenness. The Bible advocates for a lifestyle that reflects God's holiness and wisdom, urging Christians to be examples of temperance and moderation in a world that often glorifies excess.

Topical Bible Verses

Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
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Isaiah 5:11
Woe to them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
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Proverbs 23:29-35
Who has woe? who has sorrow? who has contentions? who has babbling? who has wounds without cause? who has redness of eyes?
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Galatians 5:21
Contentions, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Topicalbible.org

Greek

3525. nepho -- to be sober, to abstain from wine
... 3525 -- properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free
from ... have "one's wits (faculties) about them," which is the opposite of being . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3525.htm - 7k

Library

The Tests of Love to God
... A man who is dead drunk, never minds nor is affected by it, though another be bleeding
to death by him; so, many, being drunk with the wine of prosperity, when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm

Whether Passion Excuses from Sin Altogether?
... towards the effect; as is the case with one who wilfully gets drunk, for in that
case he is considered to do voluntarily whatever he does through being drunk. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether passion excuses from sin.htm

Whether Drunkenness is a Mortal Sin?
... than is necessary belongs to the vice of gluttony, which is not always a mortal
sin: but knowingly to take too much drink to the point of being drunk, is a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether drunkenness is a mortal.htm

And He Produces a Second Illustration to Our Disadvantage...
... saying that "our teacher acts like a drunken man, who, entering a company of drunkards,
should accuse those who are sober of being drunk." But let him show ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxvi and he produces.htm

Whether the Damned Demerit?
... though there be necessity of which one is oneself the cause: for the "drunken man
deserves a double punishment" if he commit a crime through being drunk (Ethic ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the damned demerit.htm

The Way to the City
... out of the success. They put a very evil-tasting ingredient into spirits
of wine to prevent its being drunk. The cup that sin reaches ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the way to the city.htm

How Every Nation was Denominated from their First Inhabitants.
... fruit was ripe, and he had gathered the grapes in their season, and the wine was
ready for use, he offered sacrifice, and feasted, and, being drunk, he fell ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how every nation.htm

A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... yard, and in at the next door. This, fortunately, the cabman, being drunk,
had left open. By the time he reached their stair, all ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 18 a few nights.htm

Letter xiii. --(For 341. ) Coss. Marcellinus, Probinus; Pr??f. ...
... being deceived [4397] .' If therefore, like those expounders of dreams and false
prophets who professed to give signs, these ignorant men being drunk, not with ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xiii for 341 coss marcellinus.htm

Concerning the Seditions at Jerusalem and what Terrible Miseries ...
... And if at any time he was freed from those that were above him, which happened
frequently, from their being drunk and tired, he sallied out with a great number ...
/.../chapter 1 concerning the seditions.htm