Stop drinking only WATER, and use a little WINE

[TonyChanYT]

1 Tim 5:

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Did the wine have medicinal value? Why did Paul give this advice?

Meyer's NT Commentary:

Of course the apostle does not mean to forbid Timothy to drink water at all, but only urges him not to avoid wine altogether. ὑδροποτεῖν does not exactly mean “drink water,” but: “be a water-drinker,” and is only used of a man who makes water his special and exclusive drink.

Timothy was in the habit of drinking only water and no wine. Back then, sanitation wasn't great. Water was often contaminated. Timothy was frequently ill. Paul saw the wisdom of diluted wine as a safer drink for him.

 

[Hopeful 2]

1 Tim 5:

Did the wine have medicinal value? Why did Paul give this advice?

Meyer's NT Commentary:


Timothy was in the habit of drinking only water and no wine. Back then, sanitation wasn't great. Water was often contaminated. Timothy was frequently ill. Paul saw the wisdom of diluted wine as a safer drink for him.

Why add "diluted" to your interpretation ?

 

[TonyChanYT]

Why add "diluted" to your interpretation ?

Good question.

For some reason, Timothy did not want to drink wine. Back then, just about everyone, including kids, drank some form of very diluted wine to quench thirst. Paul advised Timothy to do the same.

See also New wine (grape juice), wine, strong wine (strong drink), and mixed wine.

 

[jasonc]

Perhaps in a few months as I learn water plant operations I can add to that .