Drunkenness, as depicted in the Bible, is a state of intoxication resulting from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is frequently addressed in Scripture, often with warnings and admonitions against its practice. The Bible presents drunkenness as a moral failing that leads to various forms of sin and degradation, and it is consistently portrayed as contrary to the life of righteousness that God desires for His people.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains several narratives and laws that highlight the dangers and consequences of drunkenness. One of the earliest accounts is found in Genesis 9:20-21, where Noah becomes drunk and lies uncovered in his tent, leading to a shameful incident involving his sons. This account illustrates the loss of dignity and the potential for familial discord resulting from intoxication.

Proverbs, a book of wisdom literature, frequently warns against the perils of excessive drinking. Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This verse underscores the deceptive nature of alcohol and its ability to lead individuals away from wisdom and sound judgment.

In Isaiah 5:11-12 , the prophet condemns those who "rise early in the morning to pursue strong drink, who linger into the evening to be inflamed by wine." The passage criticizes the neglect of God's works and the pursuit of pleasure through intoxication, highlighting the spiritual and societal decay that can result from such behavior.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to address the issue of drunkenness, emphasizing its incompatibility with the Christian life. In Ephesians 5:18 , the Apostle Paul instructs, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Here, Paul contrasts the loss of control associated with drunkenness with the spiritual fullness and self-control that come from being led by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:19-21 lists drunkenness among the "acts of the flesh," warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." This passage places drunkenness alongside other sinful behaviors, indicating its seriousness and the need for repentance and transformation.

In 1 Peter 4:3 , believers are reminded of their past lives, which included "debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry." The apostle urges Christians to live differently, reflecting their new identity in Christ and abstaining from the excesses of their former ways.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Throughout Scripture, drunkenness is depicted as a behavior that leads to moral decay, impaired judgment, and spiritual downfall. It is often associated with other sins, such as sexual immorality, violence, and idolatry. The Bible calls believers to a life of sobriety, self-control, and holiness, urging them to avoid the pitfalls of excessive drinking.

The biblical perspective on drunkenness serves as a cautionary tale, encouraging individuals to seek fulfillment and joy not in temporary pleasures, but in a relationship with God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. By adhering to biblical teachings, Christians are called to live lives that reflect the character and righteousness of Christ, avoiding the destructive path of drunkenness.

Wide Scope of the Word Idolatry.
... In it are lasciviousnesses and drunkennesses; since it is, for the most part, for
the sake of food, and stomach, and appetite, that these solemnities are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on idolatry/chapter i wide scope of the.htm

And Also, when He Exhorts Us, that we Live not after the Flesh...
... uncleannesses, luxuries, idolatry, witchcrafts, hatreds, contentions, emulations,
wraths, strifes, heresies, envyings, drunkennesses, revellings, and such like ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 9 and also when.htm

Lo, Already Ye are Such, as that in the Rest of Your Conduct Also. ...
... Lo, already not only do ye abstain from murders, devilish sacrifices and abominations,
thefts, rapines, frauds, perjuries, drunkennesses, and all luxury and ...
/.../augustine/of holy virginity /section 54 lo already ye.htm

"If we Say that we have Fellowship with Him, and Walk in Darkness ...
... They give no confirmation to them, but rather a manifest contradiction, for what
are your multiplied oaths, drunkennesses, fornications, railings, contentions ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiii if we say.htm

From Fasts Absolute Tertullian Comes to Partial Ones and ...
... xerophagies"(the apostle) who had repeatedly practised greater rigours, "hunger,
and thirst, and fasts many," who had forbidden "drunkennesses and revellings ...
/.../chapter ix from fasts absolute tertullian.htm

Consistency of the Apostle in his Other Epistles.
... not seeing into the fact that its very foundations have been dug out by the apostle,
when he puts restraints upon drunkennesses and revellings, as withal here ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xvii consistency of the apostle.htm

Thus Much Will Suffice to have Treated on Behalf of True ...
... For, if the desire of the body be in fornications and drunkennesses; hard enmities,
strifes, emulations, lastly, hatreds, their exercise in the pleasure of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 26 thus much will.htm

Drunkennesses (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Drunkennesses (2 Occurrences). Romans 13:13 as
in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and ...
/d/drunkennesses.htm - 7k

Drusilla (1 Occurrence)

/d/drusilla.htm - 9k

Lasciviousnesses (3 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and
drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation ...
/l/lasciviousnesses.htm - 7k

Revels (2 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revels, and things like these;
as to which I tell you beforehand, even as I also have said before, that they ...
/r/revels.htm - 7k

Day-time (11 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and
drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation ...
/d/day-time.htm - 9k

Daytime (18 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and
drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation ...
/d/daytime.htm - 11k

Chamberings (1 Occurrence)
... Romans 13:13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and
drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation ...
/c/chamberings.htm - 6k

Beforehand (38 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revels, and things like these;
as to which I tell you beforehand, even as I also have said before, that they ...
/b/beforehand.htm - 17k

Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)

/d/drunkenness.htm - 24k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus