Articles
Deacons Are Not To Be Addicted To Much Wine
In 1 Tim 3, Paul gives Timothy the qualifications of both elders and deacons. In vs. 3, part of the qualifications for elders is that they not be “addicted to wine”. However, when the qualifications for deacons are considered, vs. 8 tells us that they are not to be “addicted to much wine”. Since the language appears to indicate that deacons can engage in modern day alcoholic beverages, this leads some to believe that all Christians can engage in modern day alcoholic beverages.
First, there are several passages in scripture that condemn an excessive action without implying that the same action is permissible in lesser amounts. By considering these passages, we can see that the logic does not work across the board. For example:
Eccl 7:17a – “Do not be excessively wicked….” Does forbidding one from being excessively wicked imply that it is acceptable to be a little wicked?
1 Pet 4:4 – “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” – Did Peter mean moderate rioting was appropriate? What about just a little bit of rioting?
Prov 23:22 – “Despise not thy mother when she is old.” Does this imply that it's alright to despise her when she is young or middle aged? God forbid.
This argument is not proof alone for why Christians should not consume modern day alcoholic beverages, but it does show the fallacy of trying to use this passage to prove its acceptance.
Second, while we don’t know why the Holy Spirit chose to use the wording that He did in 1 Tim 3:8, it would be careless to use this passage to cancel out every other passage in scripture that gives very specific and easily understood warnings against strong drink. Heb 5:14 – “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” This passage teaches us that mature Christians have their senses trained to discern between good and evil. Discerning involves learning how to practically apply bible passages (1 Cor 10:11; Rom 15:4), rightfully divide them (2 Tim 2:15), and make inferences when applicable (Matt 22:31-32; Act 10:9-16, 28; 16:9-10). This is an approach incumbent of spiritual maturity and must be sought after with all diligence because every bad argument provides fodder for another to potentially commit sin and subsequently die in that ignorance.
