And Such Were Some Of You…Drunkards

by Micky Galloway and Chris Simmons

As we continue our study on the sins that those in Corinth engaged in before their obedience to the gospel that prevent men from being able to “inherit the kingdom of God,” we turn to a sin that carries extremely grave spiritual and physical consequences. As if not going to heaven isn’t enough, this sin carries with it the possibility for more human agony, heartache, and pain than we can possibly imagine. Yet despite all of that, Satan continues to convince countless numbers that the dangers of drinking and drunkenness are: not real, exaggerated, or apply to someone else. The scriptures teach that God’s word applies to everyone. Those who suffer as the casualties of other people’s drunkenness will be glad to tell you how REAL the problem is and that it is NOT possible to exaggerate the dangers of drinking and drunkenness.

Drunkenness comes from the Greek word “methe” (n) and “methuo” (v). It simply means “intoxicated” or “drunken.” W. E. Vine notes that the “intoxication” can be “habitual.” It can be very easy to then conclude that the drinking of alcoholic beverages is acceptable so long as you do not get completely inebriated, to the point that you can not talk or walk straight or lose consciousness of what you are doing. This couldn’t be more wrong and this study will later address the sin of carousing or reveling and will establish the fact that it is not only a sin to be drunk but it is also sinful to engage in the carousing activities which LEAD TO one being drunk. It is interesting to note that three times drunkenness is joined with carousing as the scriptures condemn both (Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:21; I Peter 4:3).

God has clearly communicated in the scriptures how He feels about drunkenness and intoxication. Paul said in Ephesians 5:18, “Do not get drunk with wine for that is dissipation.” Drunkenness is a sin which is not to be named among those who are Christians and we are commanded to withdraw from and not associate with any brother or sister in Christ who will not repent of the sin of drunkenness (I Corinthians 5:11). Not only is drunkenness itself a sin, but numerous other tragic sins often result when one is in a drunken state. Drunkenness often leads to many sexual sins as sound judgement is replaced by poor judgement and the drunken individual does that which they would normally restrain themselves from doing. Why do you suppose that worldly people desiring to meet people of the opposite sex, gravitate to establishments where they know that they, and the others there, will interact in an intoxicated state?

Comparing apples and oranges. Many try to argue for the drinking of alcoholic beverages today by noting the frequency of the use of the word wine in a “non-condemning fashion” in the Bible. I, nor any of us, do not need to be a scientist to understand this: the wine discussed in the Bible is not the same as the alcoholic beverages which are consumed today and which people try to seek approval for drinking in a social context. “Wine” in the New Testament could either refer to just the “fruit of the vine” or it could refer to naturally fermented grape juice depending on the Hebrew word used in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, there is one Greek word “oinos” which can refer to new wine, or grape juice, or to wine that had been fermented. Even regarding fermented juice, we need to remember that they did not have the ability to distill alcoholic beverages as we do today and therefore, the alcoholic content of their drinks back then was much less than today. Today’s beer, liquor, and wine can produce intoxicating effects on the body with very little consumption. Therefore, the only safe road for a child of God to take is the road of abstinence in regards to alcoholic beverages.

This sin is not reserved for those who are labeled today as “alcoholics.” Alcoholism is a horrible problem but countless many are guilty of this sin who are never labeled an alcoholic. To be condemned for certain is the person who is “out of control” in regards to his or her drinking as we commonly identify an alcoholic. Likewise to be condemned however, is the one who perhaps is in “control” of his or her drinking, yet chooses to intoxicate himself from time to time. Is there any virtue in one choosing to become intoxicated “every now and then” verses one who is considered an alcoholic? At least the alcoholic might be more willing to admit that he or she has a sinful problem that must be dealt with.

How drunk is drunk? We must be careful to not allow human definitions of intoxication to deceive us into thinking we are alright when we are not. The state of California may say that a blood alcohol level of up to .08 is NOT DRUNK. Is that what God says? The scriptures do not give any scientific statistics to use, but suffice it to say, God is the judge, not a human court. I have heard those who drink make comments that they were not drunk but that they were just a little “buzzed.” That tells me that the alcohol they consumed DID have some degree of an intoxicating effect on their bodies. Webster’s defines the word “intoxicate” as “to affect temporarily with diminished control over the physical and mental powers” and originally came from a word which meant “to poison.” It does not take very much of today’s alcoholic beverages to have “diminished control over our physical and mental powers.” The only way I know of to be sure that I do not sin by being drunk or intoxicated is to completely abstain. Don’t take the first drink and we can stand assured of not committing this sin. In fact, the Greek word “potos” which is translated “drinking parties” (NASB) in I Peter 4:3 means “the opportunity of drinking, the banquet, not necessarily excessive drinking but giving opportunity for excess…it marks a step in advance of drunkenness…” (Zodhiates Lexical Aids To The New Testament), and is clearly condemned in that passage.

To be intoxicated makes it impossible to obey the command to be “sober-minded.” Paul told the Corinthians, “Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning” (I Corinthians 15:34). Again in I Thessalonians 5:6-8, Paul wrote, “but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” Granted, it takes more than the absence of alcohol in our bodies to be “sober-minded” but we are certainly not going to be able to obey this command while being under ANY degree of influence from alcohol.

Having a good time? Perhaps you have been perplexed like I have to hear co-workers, neighbors, or classmates say that they are going to go out and “have a good time” and “get drunk.” What I read in the scriptures and what I have witnessed tells me something quite different. The Bible talks of the result of drunkenness as being one who “gropes,” “staggers,” “trembles” and “vomits.” It also brings about “sorrow,” “horror” and “desolation.” And with the invention of the automobile, as we all know, drunkenness also brings about death. But above all else, we need to return to the fact that this is a sin that separates man from God.

Regarding the sin of “reveling,” this word appears three times in the New Testament. Rom. 13:13, “Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.” I Peter 4:3, “For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries.” Also see, Galatians 5:19-21. In specifying sins such as works of the flesh, things related are usually grouped together. This being true it is significant to note the catalog of iniquity in which reveling falls. Like the sin of drunkenness, we must remind ourselves that “those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Scholars define “revellings” as follows: “To be festive in a riotous or noisy manner” (Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). The word “riot,” Webster defines as “wild and loose festivity; revelry.” Thayer defines the Greek word “komos” as “...a nocturnal and riotous procession of half-drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before the houses of their male and female friends; hence used generally of feast and drinking-parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry; plur. (revellings): Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; I Peter 3:4.” Adam Clark says of this word in his comments on Gal. 5:21, “Lascivious feasting, with obscene songs, music, etc.” William Barclay says, “A komos was a band of friends who accompanied a victor of the games after his victory. They danced and laughed and sang his praises. It also describes the devotees of Bacchus the god of wine. It describes what in regency England would have been called a rout. It means unrestrained and uncontrolled revelry, enjoyment that has degenerated into license” (The Letters To The Galatians And Ephesians).

Revellings, therefore, involve boisterous merrymaking with others wherein divine limitations are ignored and free, unrestrained and uncontrolled appetites are expressed in song, dance, feasting, drinking-parties, and “such like.” It combines intoxication with merrymaking. It suggests shouting, singing, dancing, and generally stirring wanton desires with merry companions, all with the help of intoxicants.

Consider these applications of what the Bible calls “revellings.” No one can doubt that much of the music of this day is of the nature described by this word. The modern dance hall with its loud music, obscene songs, drinking and other forms of carnal pleasure is indeed a place of revelry. While not all forms of dancing come under the heading of revelry, some do. The word “lasciviousness” is more inclusive in its meaning and must be carefully considered when studying the subject of dancing. Just as surely as the celebration of victory by riotous festivity was revelry in N.T. times, so it is now. Though it is easy to understand the desire to celebrate after our team has won the victory in a ball game, the Christian must exercise discretion. While it is proper to experience feelings of joy, satisfaction, and even exhilaration on such occasions, one must remember that there are proper and improper ways to express those feelings. A Christian must not get “caught up” in some “wild” activity that would compromise himself or his influence. He should not use the victory as a “license” to drink or participate in any form of unrestrained behavior.

It is sad indeed, that so much of this world's entertainment involves and centers around sensual music, suggestive, provocative and even obscene songs, drinking, and the fulfillment of carnal desires. Far more comes under the heading of “revellings” than many realize.

The apostle Paul further adds, “…they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25). Christians who have crucified the lusts of the flesh and who have put to death evil desires have no trouble avoiding the works of the flesh. They will not be guilty of revelling, drunkenness or any “such like.”

I pray that we all take God’s warning about drunkenness, revellings and drinking parties seriously and determine that we will not take even the smallest step towards committing these dangerous sins.