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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to
observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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February 7, 2010
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Contents:
1) John 2:1-11 (1 Tim. 3:3,8): Jesus and the Use of Wine
(Leon Goff)
2) Family Happiness (Gary Patton)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
John 2:1-11 (1 Tim. 3:3,8): Jesus and the Use of Wine
by Leon Goff
There are some, including some among our own brethren, who believe that
Jesus' turning water into wine, according to John 2:1-11, puts God's
stamp of approval upon the drinking of intoxicating beverages for
social and recreational purposes. In Paul's listing of the
qualifications of elders and deacons, the expressions "not given to
wine," and "not given to much wine" are sometimes used to support the
position that drinking a little wine for social and recreational
purposes is scripturally sanctioned (1 Tim. 3:3, 8).
The same arguments would also justify the social and recreational use
of other drugs, since alcohol itself is a drug. How many who profess to
be faithful Christians are ready for this consequence and conclusion? I
would hope, none!
I wish to emphasize at the very beginning of this article that I do not
believe the above passages, or any others, can be used successfully and
rightfully to prove that the social and recreational use of alcohol and
drugs is approved of God. I believe this basic issue must be kept
before us regardless of the difficulty of some passages and contexts,
and especially in the face of the mixed signals we may get from
"scholars" who have dealt with this general theme.
Jesus Turned Water Into Wine (John 2:1-11)
What was the "wine" that Jesus made from water? Many jump to the
conclusion that because the word "wine" is used, Jesus made a
fermented, intoxicating drink. I do not believe that can be
proven.
Someone may respond, "Yes, but you cannot prove it was not fermented."
I may not be able absolutely to prove that it was not fermented,
especially to others' satisfaction. It is not my obligation to prove
that. It is only my intention and obligation to prove that just because
the word "wine" is used does not necessitate the conclusion that Jesus
made fermented, intoxicating wine.
The word is used five times in John 2:1-11, twice by John the writer of
the gospel, once by the mother of Jesus, and twice by the governor or
master of the wedding in Cana. In all five usages the Greek word
is oinos. In fact, this word is the one used in the New Testament,
except for Acts 2:13, where gleukos is used and translated "new wine."
Vine says that "OINOS is the general word for wine" (p. 219). This one
word in the New Testament and the Greek includes different Old
Testament Hebrew words for wine. Thayer says the Greek word oinos
translates, in the Septuagint Version, not only the Hebrew word yayin,
but also the Hebrew words tiyrosh and hemer (p. 442). Tiyrosh is the
word in Isa. 65:8: "As the new wine is found in the cluster.... " In
the Greek translation this is the same word (oinos) as is used all five
times in John 2:1-11.
What does all of this prove? The word oinos used in John 2:1-11 is a
general word covering all stages of the juice of the grape (fermented
and unfermented), including the juice in the grape still in the cluster
on the vine (Isa. 65:8). That proves Jesus, in turning the water into
"wine," could have, and may have, made unfermented grape juice. As I
mentioned earlier, that is all I am obligated to prove. Those who take
the view that Jesus approved of the social and recreational use of
alcohol and drugs must prove that the "wine" Jesus made could only
refer to fermented, intoxicating wine. I believe that is impossible!
What if Jesus did make fermented wine? Does that prove that Jesus
approves of the social use of alcohol? Remember, the basic point of
this context is the recording of the first miracle Jesus performed. If
Jesus' performing this miracle proves Jesus approves of "intoxicating
wine making and drinking," would not his miracle of casting the demons
out of the man and into the swine and destroying two thousand head of
swine (Luke 8:26-37) prove that Jesus approves of our destroying other
people's property? Would Paul miraculously striking Elymas blind (Acts
13:6-12) prove that Paul (under God's guidance and power) was giving us
approval to punch out someone's eyes? Are we ready for these kinds of
interpretations and conclusions? I think not!
I believe it to be very questionable and dangerous to use the miracles
of Jesus and his apostles to establish approval for something we wish
to do.
1 Timothy 3:3, 8
The expression me paroinon in verse 3, in the qualification of bishops,
is translated "not given to wine," "not given to drunkenness." Me in
the Greek means "no, not, never, no in no wise," and is a particle of
qualified negation, according to Strong. Paroinon is a combination of
the word Para, ("with an accusative . . . at, by, near by the side of,
beside, along" -- Thayer 477), and oinos which means "wine." Vine says
it means "tarrying at wine.... probably has the secondary sense, of the
effects of wine-bibbing, abusive brawling" (p. 146).
"Not given to much wine" translated from me oinos polio prosechontas
(v. 8) is a similar expression to that found in verse 3. Prosechontas
means "to hold to, signifies to turn to, turn one's attention to"
(Vine, p. 211), and polio means much or many.
The emphasis in both of these qualifications seems to be that elders
and deacons cannot be guilty of drunkenness or intoxication.
Wine-bibbing, and giving attention to that which will intoxicate one is
to be no part of the life of one considered to be elder or deacon
material. Is it not dangerous to take these negatives toward that
(drunkenness) which every Christian must agree is plainly condemned in
the Scriptures and try to turn that into a positive in favor of
drinking moderately socially and recreationally? In 1 Timothy 3:3 we
have a similar construction in the expression "no striker, not
violent." This could be translated "not given to striking or violence."
Are we to interpret that to mean we can strike a little and engage in a
little violence as long as we don't overdo it?
Admittedly, these are difficult passages, especially when someone is
determined to make them say something they really do not say. I
emphasize again what I wrote at the beginning. While it can be proven
from the Bible that "wine" was used medicinally and sacrificially with
God's approval, I do not believe it can be proven that God approves of
the social and recreational use of alcohol and drugs.
I have known members of the church of Christ who drank alcoholic
beverages. But I cannot remember even one of such cases where they were
used without involving intoxication. I have seen grown men with
trembling hands and tears running down their cheeks saying they wished
they had never taken the first drink. I have heard Christians who have
been enslaved to alcohol, as well as drugs, plead with our young people
never to make the mistake of taking the first drink. Do you really
believe that Jesus ever approved of something so enslaving and so
dangerous?
Solomon said: "Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles
in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a
serpent, and stings like a viper" (Prov. 23:31, 32). There is no
question about the kind of wine he speaks of in this verse. Do you
believe what he said? Why try to make Jesus and the Bible contradict
such plain statements?
-- Via Guardian of Truth XL: 3 pp. 22-23, February 1, 1996
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-2-
Family Happiness
by Gary Patton
For a family to enjoy happiness in its relationship, it must have a
deep respect for God's plan for the home.
Happiness in the family begins with a proper relationship between
husband and wife. This relationship must be based upon the principles
revealed in Ephesians 5:22-23. This passage first indicates that there
must be a standard of authority to be followed. Just as Christ is the
head of the church, the husband is to be head of the wife, and
therefore, the head of the family. This is not to be a relationship of
cruel dominance by the husband or jealousy for not having more
authority by the wife, but a relationship where the wife is respectful
and loving in this subjection to her husband. The husband is told that
he must love and cherish her, even to the point of giving his life for
her. When God's plan is followed, happiness can be found in the family
relationship that only God can give.
Most families are blessed with children and as they mature, once again
God's plan needs to be followed by all concerned -- whether it is the
parent or child. A feeling often heard expressed by young people is, "I
can't seem to be able to please my parents." This is a genuine problem
in the minds of many young people. Sometimes it is the fault of the
parents because of a failure to fulfill their true responsibility to
the children. Accomplishments go unnoticed, expressions of love and
care go unspoken, always correcting, never praising. We as parents have
a great two-fold responsibility in rearing our children.
First, we are to "provoke not your children to wrath" and secondly,
"bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The idea
conveyed in the words translated "provoke not" carries with it the idea
not to break the spirit, or destroy one's will or desire. Parents must
correct and punish, but it must be done in love. It must be done
according to God's way.
Sometimes the problem of not being able to please one's parents is the
fault of young people and not the parents. The important question a
young person must find an answer to in order to please his parents is,
"What makes one pleasing in the sight of his parents?" To find the
answer to this question, we must go to the foundation of all truth --
the Bible. In Ephesians 6:1 we read, "Children, obey your parents in
the Lord." The truth expressed here is that obedience is a must. Joseph
was an obedient son and was loved by his father, Jacob. David was
obedient to his father, thus demonstrating a trait that brings love
from parents. Jesus as a child was obedient to His parents in that He
respected the authority of His earthly parents as well as that of His
Heavenly Father. The proper motivation for obedience is respect for
authority. If young people will demonstrate proper respect for
authority by obeying their parents without arguing and complaining, and
if that respect for parental authority is exercised when they are out
of sight of their parents, then great joy is in the heart of a parent.
The way to truly please one's parents is to show respect for authority
in the home, at school, to the government, and most importantly, true
respect for the authority of God and His word.
One's respect for authority is shown in whether or not obedience is
present. Obey God, obey parents, "obey them that rule over you," as
long as it doesn't conflict with God's law, and your family life will
be happier and everybody will be a lot easier to get along with.
-- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, October 25,
2009
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-3-
News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians be praying for Ed St. Clair.
He had recently been taken to the emergency room because of back
trouble; and though his back is feeling better now, he has been
diagnosed with a degenerative bone disease in his back.
Let us also continue to remember Eloise Craver who is undergoing
therapy for her recent hip surgery; Shiela Watts who has been having
"good and bad" days with her back; Gabrielle, the seven-month daughter
of Angel and Jasmine Lombrage, who has been in the hospital since
birth, due to various health problems; the Lombrage's family in Haiti
who have suffered the loss of their homes and family members; and
Marian Edwards, my mother who has been on hospice care since November
3..
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel,
for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the
deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins
(Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ
(Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water
for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4;
Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith;
for,
if
not,
salvation
can
be
lost
(Heb.
10:36-39;
Rev.
2:10;
2
Pet.
2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
201 Rushing Road (at the Hampton Inn), Denham Springs, Louisiana
70726
Sunday services: 9:15 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 4 PM (worship)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
tedwards1109@gmail.com
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go
Directions:
Take the Denham Springs exit (exit 10) off of I-12. At the end of
the exit ramp, turn north. Go about a stone's throw to Rushing
Road. (You'll see a Starbucks, Circle K, and two other gas
stations; with each on each corner.) Turn left on Rushing Road,
and go less then 0.3 of a mile. Hampton Inn will be on the
right. We assemble in its meeting room, which is very close to
the reception counter.
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