1 Timothy 5:23
What does 1 Timothy 5:23 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 5:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 5:23 means
Paul’s practical advice—use a little wine for your stomach and frequent ailments—shows pastoral care and balanced wisdom. Purity and caution do not mean rigid abstinence when health is at stake. Timothy’s tendency to drink only water may have been well-intended but unhelpful. A modest, medicinal use of wine is commended, not indulgence. This brief aside humanizes the letter: the apostle who sets firm policies also cares for Timothy’s body. Christian leadership calls for stewardship of one’s health as well as one’s soul. Sensible self-care enables steadier service and reflects God’s concern for our whole person.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862no longer be drinking water, but a little wine be using, because of thy stomach and of thine often infirmities;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Do not still drink water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thy frequent infirmities.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses.
Context
Inserted amid warnings about purity and hasty appointments, this personal note clarifies that Paul does not equate holiness with harsh asceticism. Verse 23 tempers potential misunderstandings: Timothy is to be pure, yet also prudent about his health. After this aside, Paul returns to general principles about the visibility of sins and good works (verses 24–25), which round out the rationale for moving slowly in recognizing leaders.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 3:3
no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;
- 1 Timothy 3:8
Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
- Leviticus 10:9
Drink no wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tent of meeting, that ye die not: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
- Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;
- Psalms 104:15
And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, Andoil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengtheneth man’s heart.
- Proverbs 31:4
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?
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