How does the Bible define drunkenness

Q. How does the Bible define being drunk, that is, in a state of drunkenness?

A. In our state we have a secular and legal approach for defining drunkenness, especially regarding driving a motor vehicle. It is determined by a device called a breathalyzer. The state tests and legally defines the point of drunkenness with blood alcohol level – 0.08 blood alcohol concentration.[i] 

However, our question if different. The question now before us is how the Bible, our rule of faith and practice, defines it.  The Bible-believing Christian must answer this the same way regardless of his or her position on drinking in moderation or abstention. We must go to the Bible and find out what it says about drunkenness. There we will find guidance. Inspired, inerrant guidance.

Please consider the following points from Scripture.

There is a point at which one passes from “drinking wine” to drunkenness; that is, these are two different states. For examples, Genesis 9:21 ”And he drank of the wine, and was drunken...” Deuteronomy 29:19 ”And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:”

The Bible speaks of “drunken” but also of an exceeding state of that: 1 Samuel 25:36 ”And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken” The “very drunken” state is most obvious, while drunken might not be quite as readily observable.

Certain actions, states or physical signs are often associated with drunkenness in the Bible, such as staggering, shaking and vomiting. Psalm 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end. (Cf. Jer. 23:9, Isa. 19:14; Prov. 23:29)[ii]

Actions or states unrelated to alcohol sometimes are mistaken for drunkenness. 1 Samuel 1:13 ”Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.” (Cf. Acts 2:15)

Drunkenness is associated with loss of control of one’s senses or actions. Sometimes “loss of control” can be in a good way – being controlled by the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 ”And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” There are also other figures in the Bible that speak of being “drunk” on something other than wine/strong drink that seem to generally share the meaning of not being in control or possession of one’s faculties. (Cf. Job 12:24-25; Lam. 4:21; Rev. 17:2)

Drunkenness is caused by an excess of wine. Compare Ephesians 5:18 and 1 Peter 4:3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

This may be simplistic. Perhaps it does not draw as exact a line as you may want. But looking at these verses are a starting place for a BIBLICAL definition of drunkenness.

It is also worth remembering that the Bible clearly and definitely warns against drunkenness. See, for examples, Proverbs 20:1; 23:20-21, 29-35; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Ephesians 5:18.

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[i] I’m not sure if it is proper to say this defines drunkenness legally so much as to say it is the point where driving becomes illegal. For example, I don’t think BAC has anything to do with “public intoxication” in Texas, which appears to be at a law officer’s discretion.
[ii] We understand other things can also cause these signs, such as sickness.

The Wedding at Cana

John 2:1-11 – And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Simple facts in the text of what the Bible says.

1. The word “wine” (English; oinos, Greek) is used five times, with no distinction as to what kind of wine. There was “wanted wine,” (1) “no wine,” (1) “made wine,” (1) and “good wine” (2) – with the implication of “worse wine” (v. 10; though only “worse” is used it is in reference to wine). The difference in the wine in the story of the wedding of Cana is first the difference of presence and absence. It is never a difference of kind, but of quality! No other differences can be observed in the text without an interpreter bringing them in from outside the text![i]

Simple observations in the text of what the Bible says.

1. Good wine is capable of intoxicating. “Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine (καλον οινον); and when men have well drunk (μεθυσθωσιν), then that which is worse (ελασσω, lesser, worse in quality).”

2. The governor of the feast called the wine he was drinking “good wine.” “but thou hast kept the good wine (καλον οινον) until now”

3. Jesus made the good wine that the governor of the feast was drinking. “the water that was made wine...This beginning of miracles did Jesus”

Simple conclusion in the text of what the Bible says.

Jesus performed a miracle. He made good wine, the equivalent of a fermented wine, from water.[ii] “This beginning of miracles did Jesus”

The final answer to the entire “wine debate” is here in this record. Why look we for another?

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[i] Such insertion is found in the translation work of Stephen Mills Reynolds in his A Purified Translation: “And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.’…When the master of the feast tasted the water that had become grape juice,…And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good beverage,…” Using the two-wine preconception Reynolds translates oinos “negatively” as alcoholic wine, “positively” as grape juice, and “neutrally” as a beverage. This was not in the text, only in his mind.

[ii] I write “the equivalent of a fermented wine” not to equivocate, but simply because the entire processes – from growth on the vine to harvest, from the winepress through fermentation, and to table – were all immediately duplicated and rendered unnecessary by the miraculous power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who are we?

Who are we, really? I have reflected on this question from time to time, without answering it.

Let me explain what I mean. Have you ever known someone whose personality changes when getting older and somewhat senile? Let's say a man has been an upstanding family man, and a community & church leader. But in this senility he becomes a "dirty old man". Who is he? Is the real person the person that he was by the exercise of his will? Or is the real person who he became when he could no longer exercise control of his mind?

What about someone who becomes intoxicated on alcohol or drugs? Perhaps she is a mild mannered woman by day, polite and kind to folks. But at night when the alcohol takes over, she becomes abusive and violent. Who is she, really? Is the real person that person she is by day when she is exercising her will? Or is the real person that person she becomes when the inhibitions are removed?

Are we that person we choose to be, or are we that person that comes out when we are controlled by a drug or the enemy of senility? Or are we possibly only who we are at any given moment in time?

We may think of how we Christians are "two people" -- the old man and the new man. I don't discount that. But do not the above situations apply to mankind in general? They are not traits only displayed by Christians, are they, but part of the human condition? I wonder about the answer to these questions, or whether the questions are even valid?

How does the Bible define drunkenness?

The thoughts on this post began with a pastor asking the question, "Would you mind telling me how I as a pastor can know when a member of my flock is guilty of drunkenness?" The Bible-believing Christian must answer this the same way regardless of his or her position on drinking in moderation or abstention. Go to the Bible and find out what it says about drunkenness. We won't find a fine dividing line that we can determine with a breathalyzer. That is a secular and legal approach. In our state we legally define that point with blood alcohol level -- 0.08 blood alcohol concentration (at least while driving).1 BUT the question now before us is how the Bible, our rule of faith and practice, defines it. There we will find guidance. Inspired, inerrant guidance at that!

Please consider the following points from Scripture.

There is a point at which one passes from "drinking wine" to drunkenness; that is, these are two different states. For examples, Genesis 9:21 "And he drank of the wine, and was drunken..." Deuteronomy 29:19 "And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:"

The Bible speaks of "drunken" but also of an exceeding state of that: 1 Samuel 25:36 "And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken" The "very drunken" state is most obvious, but drunken might not be quite as readily observable.

Certain actions, states or physical signs are often associated with drunkenness in the Bible, such as staggering, shaking and vomiting. Psalm 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. (Cf. Jer. 23:9, Isa. 19:14; Prov. 23:29). [We understand other things can also cause these signs, such as sickness.]

Actions or states unrelated to alcohol sometimes are mistaken for drunkenness. 1 Samuel 1:13 "Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken." (Cf. Acts 2:15)

Drunkenness is associated with loss of control of one's senses or actions. Sometimes "loss of control" can be in a good way -- being controlled by the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" There are also other figures in the Bible that speak of being "drunk" on something other than wine/strong drink that seem to generally share the meaning of not being in control or possession of one's faculties. (Cf. Job 12:24-25; Lam. 4:21; Rev. 17:2)

Drunkenness is caused by an excess of wine. Compare Eph. 5:18 and I Peter 4:3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

This may be simplistic. Perhaps it does not draw as exact a line as you may want. But looking at these verses are a starting place for a BIBLICAL definition of drunkenness.

1. I'm not sure if it is proper to say this defines drunkenness legally so much as to say it is the point where driving becomes illegal. For example, I don't think BAC has anything to do with "public intoxication" in Texas, which appears to be at a law officer's discretion.