Bible says be sober again and again

Leviticus 10:8-11 do not drink

Lev. 10:8 Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying:

Lev. 10:9 “Do not drink wine or {shekhar} intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations,

Lev. 10:10 that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean,

Lev. 10:11 and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.”

(NKJV)

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 stubborn & rebellious

Deut. 21:18 “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them,

Deut. 21:19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city.

Deut. 21:20 And they shall say to the elders of his city, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’

Deut. 21:21 Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel shall hear and fear.

(NKJV)

1 Samuel 1:14-16 put your wine away

1 Sam. 1:14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!”

1 Sam. 1:15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor {shekhar} intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

1 Sam. 1:16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”

(NKJV)

Proverbs 20:1 wine a mocker

Prov. 20:1 Wine is a mocker, {shekhar} Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

(NKJV)

Proverbs 23:20-35 do not look on the wine

Prov. 23:20 Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

Prov. 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.

Prov. 23:23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

Prov. 23:24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.

Prov. 23:25 Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice.

Prov. 23:26 My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.

Prov. 23:27 For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well.

Prov. 23:28 She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men.

Prov. 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

Prov. 23:30 Those who {achar} linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine.

Prov. 23:31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly;

Prov. 23:32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper.

Prov. 23:33 Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things.

Prov. 23:34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:

Prov. 23:35 “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

(NKJV)

Prov. 23:30 To those who {achar} linger over wine, to those who come to try mixed wine.

(LEB)

What is the term {achar} in Prov. 23:30? (Some translations have tarry or linger long.) They look at wine (Prov, 23:31) yet they initially {achar} hesitate to drink it (Prov. 23:30) – being wary of its bad effects (Prov. 23:29). Achar indicates to hesitate, to delay from reluctance – as in Gen. 24:56; Ex. 23:29; and Eccl. 5:4. Compare: Laban delayed; he was {achar} reluctant to let Jacob go (Gen. 24:56); as when somebody is begrudgingly {achar} reluctant to bring the firstfruits to God but eventually does it (Ex. 23:29); as when somebody is {achar} reluctant to pay what was vowed to God, and procrastinates to pay (Eccl. 5:4).

Isaiah 5:11-13 drinkers disregard the Lord’s work

Isa. 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their {shekhar} drinks,
who [delay until] stay up late at night till they are inflamed with {yayin} wine.

(NIV)

Isa. 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow {shekhar} intoxicating drink; Who [delay until] {achar} continue until night, till wine inflames them!

Isa. 5:12 The harp and the strings, The tambourine and flute, And wine are in their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the LORD, Nor consider the operation of His hands.

Isa. 5:13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst.

(NKJV)

Note: shekhar – was this cider (in Isa. 5:11) already fermented early in the morning? The various Hebrew verses having shekhar do not literally add another word “intoxicating” or “strong” before shekhar. It simply has one word shekhar (cider) itself. See also: Deut. 14:26 Shekhar – meaning sweet drink or strong drink in Bible?

Isaiah 22:12-14 bad company corrupts

Isa. 22:12 And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts Called for weeping and for mourning, For baldness and for girding with sackcloth.

Isa. 22:13 But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

Isa. 22:14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the LORD of hosts, “Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, Even to your death,” says the Lord GOD of hosts.

(NKJV)

See note: 1 Cor. 15:32-34

Isaiah 28:1-13 priest & prophet err by drink

Isa. 28:1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, Whose glorious beauty is a fading flower Which is at the head of the verdant valleys, To those who are overcome with wine!

Isa. 28:2 Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, Like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand.

Isa. 28:3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, Will be trampled underfoot;

Isa. 28:4 And the glorious beauty is a fading flower Which is at the head of the verdant valley, Like the first fruit before the summer, Which an observer sees; He eats it up while it is still in his hand.

Isa. 28:5 In that day the LORD of hosts will be For a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty To the remnant of His people,

Isa. 28:6 For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, And for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.

Isa. 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, And through {shekhar} intoxicating drink are out of the way; The priest and the prophet have erred through {shekhar} intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through {shekhar} intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

Isa. 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit and filth; No place is clean.

Isa. 28:9 “Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?

Isa. 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.”

Isa. 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,

Isa. 28:12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.

Isa. 28:13 But the word of the LORD was to them, “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little,” That they might go and fall backward, and be broken And snared and caught.

(NKJV)

Jeremiah 35:1-19 Rechabites a good example

Jer. 35:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,

Jer. 35:2 “Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.”

Jer. 35:3 Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, his brothers and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites,

Jer. 35:4 and I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door.

Jer. 35:5 Then I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites bowls full of wine, and cups; and I said to them, “Drink wine.”

Jer. 35:6 But they said, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, “You shall drink no wine, you nor your sons, forever.

Jer. 35:7 You shall not build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard, nor have any of these; but all your days you shall dwell in tents, that you may live many days in the land where you are sojourners.’

Jer. 35:8 Thus we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,

Jer. 35:9 nor to build ourselves houses to dwell in; nor do we have vineyard, field, or seed.

Jer. 35:10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.

Jer. 35:11 But it came to pass, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, “Come, let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and for fear of the army of the Syrians.’ So we dwell at Jerusalem.”

Jer. 35:12 Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying,

Jer. 35:13 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Will you not receive instruction to obey My words?” says the LORD.

Jer. 35:14 “The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; for to this day they drink none, and obey their father’s commandment. But although I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, you did not obey Me.

Jer. 35:15 I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, “Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.

Jer. 35:16 Surely the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them, but this people has not obeyed Me.”’

Jer. 35:17 “Therefore thus says the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the doom that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them but they have not heard, and I have called to them but they have not answered.”’

Jer. 35:18 And Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts and done according to all that he commanded you,

Jer. 35:19 therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever.’

(NKJV)

Matthew 24:44-51 bad company unready for master’s return

Matt. 24:44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Matt. 24:45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?

Matt. 24:46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

Matt. 24:47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

Matt. 24:48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, “My master is delaying his coming,’

Matt. 24:49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,

Matt. 24:50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,

Matt. 24:51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(NKJV)

Luke 12:35-49 always be ready for master’s return

Luke 12:35 “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;

Luke 12:36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.

Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

Luke 12:38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

Luke 12:39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

Luke 12:40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Luke 12:41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

Luke 12:44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

Luke 12:45 But if that servant says in his heart, “My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,

Luke 12:46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Luke 12:47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luke 12:48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Luke 12:49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

(NKJV)

Luke 21:34 always be ready for that day

Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with {kraipalē} surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

(KJV)

Luke 21:34 Make sure that you don’t become drunk, hung over, and worried about life. Then that day could suddenly catch you by surprise.

(GW)

Kraipalē: headache from drinking

Romans 13:11-14 no provision for the flesh

Rom. 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Rom. 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Rom. 13:13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Rom. 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

(NKJV)

1 Corinthians 5:10-11 bad company

1 Cor. 5:10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

1 Cor. 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner–not even to eat with such a person.

(NKJV)

Verse 11 mentions a reviler and a drunkard, although verse 10 does not. Are the wild parties of unbelievers (Gentiles in 1 Pet. 4:3) really the ideal time for believers to befriend unbelievers? You buy alcohol for others, joining in to avoid being criticized. Yet will you claim to be “evangelizing” while this matters to you instead of caring to warn the lost souls? Remember that Daniel did not want to cellebrate King Belshazzar’s drinking party and he rebuked the king and company because they drank (Dan. 5:23; Prov. 31:4). The unbelievers of 1 Cor. 10:27 were not in a wild party. So it is no excuse to give anybody an opportunity to stumble into whatever sin – to anybody: to Jews, to non-Jews, or to the Church of God! (1 Cor. 10:32). Therefore “Sober up” as you should, and always beware of the dangers of bad company in 1 Cor. 15:33; Matt. 24:49.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 you were washed

1 Cor. 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

1 Cor. 6:10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Cor. 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

(NKJV)

1 Cor. 15:32-34 sober up! stop sinning!

1 Cor. 15:32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE. [Isa. 22:12-14]

1 Cor. 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

1 Cor. 15:34 Become {eknēphō} sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

(NASB)

1 Cor. 15:32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

1 Cor. 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

1 Cor. 15:34 {eknēphō} Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

(ESV)

1 Cor. 15:34 “Sober up, as is right and stop sinning…” (C.B. Williams Version)
1 Cor. 15:34 “Sober up correctly and stop sinning…” (Lexham English Bible)
1 Cor. 15:34 “Sober up by acting like you should and don’t sin…” (Common English Bible)
1 Cor. 15:34 “Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more…” (NRSV)
1 Cor. 15:34 “Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning…” (NASB)
1 Cor. 15:34 “Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not…” (ASV)
1 Cor. 15:34 “Wake from this drunken fit; live righteous lives, and cease to sin…” (Weymouth)

This word eknēphō also used in the Septuagint: Gen. 9:24 and 1 Sam. 25:37 after men sobered up from the effects of drinking.

‘…Paul told the Corinthians to “awake to soberness and sin not.” A single word translates awake to soberness (eknepho) and this term is found only here in the New Testament. This term may be defined as “become sober” or “come to one’s senses.” Just as an intoxicated person needs to “sober up” and return to his senses, so the Corinthians needed to sober up from the false doctrine and beliefs that they had learned or were learning from others (verse 33). Brown (1:515) defined awake to soberness as having “clarity of mind” and noted how it is similar to what is “required” in 2 Tim. 4:5. Since this awakening is expressed with the aorist sense, the Corinthians were to do this quickly and once for all (Vine, 2:112).’

(First Corinthians Bible Commentary – a Bible commentary on First Corinthians, Brad Price, 2010)

‘Awake eknepho (1594), primarily “to return to one’s sense from drunkenness, to become sober,” is so used in the Sept., e.g. Gen. 9:24; metaphorically, in Joel 1:5; Hab. 2:7; lit. in [Hab.] 2:19, of the words of an idolater to an image; in the NT in 1 Cor. 15:34, “Awake up righteously and sin not” (RV), suggesting a return to soberness of mind from the stupor consequent upon the influence of evil doctrine.”’

(“Awake”, W. E. Vine’s New Testament Word Pictures: Romans to Revelation)

Galatians 5:21; 6:1 lest you also be tempted

Gal. 5:21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God…

Gal. 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

(NKJV)

Ephesians 5:17-18 unsaved drunk but saved inhale the Spirit

Eph. 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [See Prov. 20:1 “… whoever is led astray by it is not wise”.]

Eph. 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is {asōtia} dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit

(NKJV)

Spirit: The original Greek term pneuma had no dual meaning of alcoholic spirits (e.g. rum, vodka) – unlike today’s English term spirit. Rather, the Holy Spirit Himself is like breath. (See John 3:8; 20:22.) As you inhale, your stomach is squeezed smaller. Because God has given you the Spirit of wisdom, you now understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 1:17; 5:17; 1 Cor. 2:13). By contrast, others are led astray by drinking (Prov. 20:1). Their expanded stomachs expel the breath from their lungs. (They exhale the Spirit, so to speak.) So they do not understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17). Because they drink, they are not sober in all things (2 Tim. 4:5), and so they cannot distinguish between the holy and the unholy (Lev. 10:10).

Asōtia: no salvation (from a = negative prefix, sōtia = save) (Do not misunderstand the English term “excess” of KJV.)

Compare: “5 … constitute in each city elders, as I to thee gave orders; 6 if any one is irreproachable… not under an accusation of {asōtia} profligacy … 7 It behooves for the overseer irreproachable to be, as of God a steward; … not a wine-drinker …”

(Titus 1:5-7, Emphatic Diaglott New Testament)

1 Pet. 4:3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles–when we walked in …drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties… 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of {asōtia} dissipation, speaking evil of you.

(NKJV)

1 Thessalonians 5:6-9, 12 be sober & be sober

1 Thess. 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be {nēphō} sober.

1 Thess. 5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

1 Thess. 5:8 But let us who are of the day be {nēphō} sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

1 Thess. 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ…

1 Thess. 5:12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you

(NKJV)

1 Thess. 5:7 For those sleeping, sleep by night; and those {methuskomenoi} becoming drunk, get drunk by night.

(Berean Literal Bible)

Methuskomenoi: becoming drunk – this is present participle in Greek. 1 Thess. 5:6-8 means we should be free from the influence of alcohol. Therefore neither are we getting drunk [present participle], nor are we drunk. Present participle verbs in English have the -ing suffix. Both of their behaviours (to be getting drunk and to be drunk) are contrasted with our sober behaviour in the verses before and after!

Nēphō: “to be free from the influence of intoxicants.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)

This passage is in a general letter (not a pastoral letter); it is addressed to laymen as we are reminded in verse 12.

Paul repeatedly says be sober – repeatedly when addressing laymen (1 Thess. 5:6,8) and repeatedly in his pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus.

1 Timothy 3:1-3 be sober & not around wine

1 Tim. 3:1 This is a faithful saying, “If any man is seeking the office of a minister he is aspiring to a noble task.”

1 Tim. 3:2 The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a {nēphaleos} sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

1 Tim. 3:3 no {paroinos} drinker or brawler; but forbearing, peaceable, and no money-lover

(Centenary Translation New Testament)

1 Tim. 3:3 … not a wine-drinker… (Emphatic Diaglott New Testament)
1 Tim. 3:3 … not a drinker… (J.P. Green Literal Translation 1985)
1 Tim. 3:3 … not a drinker… (World English Bible)
1 Tim. 3:3 … not a drinker… (William Pickering New Testament)
1 Tim. 3:3 … no drinker… (Montgomery New Testament)
1 Tim. 3:3 … not a wine-drinker… (Sawyer New Testament)

Nēphaleos: “of drink, unmixed with wine… sober … of persons” (Liddell and Scott Lexicon)

Paroinos: near wine.

Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are addressed to them as pastors who would select people for church positions. When Paul said a bishop (a minister) must not be violent and not be a money-lover (1 Tim 3:3 and Titus 1:7), who would pretend that he implied permission for any deacon or layman who “moderately” “begins to beat his fellow servants” Matt. 24:49) or for any deacon or layman who starts to become a money-lover “moderately”? The worldly expression “all things in moderation” cannot overrule what the Scripture does express: “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad.” (Matt. 12:33) Then it would be inconsistent to pretend that Paul implied permission for even laymen to be “paroinos.” Paroinos means near to a drink which the Scripture calls a mocker in Proverbs 20:1.

Paul repeatedly says be sober – repeatedly when addressing laymen (1 Thess. 5:6,8) and repeatedly in his pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus.

1 Timothy 3:8, 11 regard no more wine; be sober

1 Tim. 3:8 {me oinō pollō prosechontas} μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ προσέχοντας

[1 Tim. 3:8 means: Deacons must have regard for no more wine!]

1 Tim. 3:11 Even so must their wives [women] be grave, not slanderers, {nēphaleos} sober, faithful in all things.
(KJV)

Nēphaleos: “of drink, unmixed with wine… sober … of persons” (Liddell and Scott Lexicon)

Sister Phoebe and brother Timothy (Rom. 16:1; 1 Thess. 3:2) doubtless both would faithfully refuse to drink.

2 Timothy 4:5 be sober in all things

2 Tim. 4:5 But you be {nēphō} watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

(NKJV)

2 Tim. 4:5 … always be sober … (NRSV)
2 Tim. 4:5 … be sober in all things … (NASB)
2 Tim. 4:5 … keep your head in all situations … (NIV 2011)
2 Tim. 4:5 … be thou sober in all things (ASV)
2 Tim. 4:5 … thou be sober in all things (Darby)
2 Tim. 4:5 … always be sober-minded (ESV)

Titus 1:7 be not around drink

Tit. 1:7 For as God’s steward a bishop must be a man of unimpeachable character. He must not be overbearing or short-tempered; he must be no {paroinos} drinker, no brawler, no money-grubber.

(New English Bible)

Tit. 1:7 … not a wine-drinker …

(Emphatic Diaglott New Testament)

Paroinos: near wine.

Titus 2:2-3 be sober; be controlled by no more wine

Tit. 2:2 That the aged men be {nēphaleos} sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

(KJV)

Nēphaleos: “of drink, unmixed with wine… sober … of persons” (Liddell and Scott Lexicon)

The male presbyters (male elders) must abstain!

Tit. 2:3 … {mēde oinō pollō dedoulōmenas} μηδὲ οἴνῳ πολλῷ δεδουλωμένας

[Titus 2:3 means: female presbyters likewise must neither be controlled by any more wine!]

1 Peter 1:13-17 be sober perfectly

1 Pet. 1:13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and {nēphō teleiōs} fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

1 Pet. 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

1 Pet. 1:15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

1 Pet. 1:16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” [Lev. 20:7]

1 Pet. 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

(NIV 2011)

Nēphō teleiōs: Abstain perfectly.

1 Pet. 1:13 … being perfectly sober… (Charles Thomson)
1 Pet. 1:13 … being perfectly sober… (William Godbey)
1 Pet. 1:13 … be fully wakeful… (John Wesley Etheridge)
1 Pet. 1:13 … be awake perfectly… (James Murdock)
1 Pet. 1:13 … with the strictest self-control… (Twentieth Century New Testament)
1 Pet. 1:13 … continuously being perfectly (or: maturely) clear-headed and sober (unintoxicated) (Jonathan Mitchell)

1 Peter 4:3-5 bad company no more

1 Pet. 4:3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles–when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

1 Pet. 4:4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

1 Pet. 4:5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

(NKJV)

1 Peter 4:7 be sober to pray

1 Pet. 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be {nēphō} sober unto prayer

(ASV)

Nēphō: “to be sober, drink no wine” (Liddell and Scott Lexicon)

1 Pet. 4:7 … Therefore, you folks keep a healthy and sound frame of mind (be sane and sensible) and be sober (be unintoxicated; i.e., be functional and with your wits about you) … (Jonathan Mitchell)

1 Peter 5:8 be sober & be vigilant – a lion stalks you

1 Pet. 5:8 Be {nēphō} sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

(NKJV)

Nēphō: “to abstain from wine (keep sober), that is, (figuratively) be discreet: – be sober, watch.” (Strong)

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