Page 60 - Pastoral Epistles I & 2 Timothy, Titus

Let’s Practice…

1. What is the difference between a worthy widow and an unworthy widow?

2-4. Name three qualifications of a worthy widow:

5. What is Paul’s counsel to younger widows?

6. What is Paul’s advice about accepting an accusation from one person toward an elder?

Let’s get Personal…

Activity: Paul told Timothy to use a little wine because of his stomach and his frequent illnesses. Obviously, he
was telling Timothy to use the wine as a medicinal solution to his sick stomach. Whether this wine was alcoholic
or not, we do not know for certain.

Some Christians use this verse to support the practice of drinking alcoholic wine, beer, or even harder liquor. In
the Old Testament, alcoholic wine was called “strong drink” (Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Deuteronomy
29:6; Judges 13:4, 7, 14; Proverbs 20:1; 31:4; Isaiah 5:11, 22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12). There were two types of
wine in Biblical days: grape juice and fermented (alcoholic) grape juice or wine. Obviously drinking too much
wine can lead to drunkenness, which is strictly forbidden in Scripture (Ephesians 5:18, Prov. 23: 29-35).
Christians are also commanded not allow their bodies to be “mastered” by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter
2:19). Drinking alcohol can become undeniably addictive.

Scripture also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or encourage them to
sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). Could drinking a glass of wine cause a brother or sister to
stumble?

Drunkenness and addiction are sins. Due to the biblical concerns regarding alcohol and its effects, due to the easy
temptation to consume alcohol in excess, and due to the possibility of causing offense and/or stumbling of
others, it is often best for a Christian to abstain from drinking alcohol, including wine.

What do you think? Write your opinion here:

58