The late Matthew Poole said “Not given to wine the word signifieth a common tippler, whether he drinks to the loss of his reason or no a winebibber, that makes bibbing at a tavern his trade: no sitter at wine.” ![]() As Barnes commentary describes, it is “One who sits “by” wine who is in the habit of drinking it.” It is a person that makes it a ‘habit’ for them to do so. For example a person that is eager to get off work, so that he can have a beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverage. This word “drunkard” in this verse, in the Greek, is tantamount to a person that longs to have a daily drink. In the original Greek language this word “drunkard” still means a person that is merely ‘staying near wine, or one who is tippling (or a toper), and/or one who is ‘given to wine.’ In other words, this word “drunkard” is not the same of the English word “drunkard” that we know today. one who is tippling (or a toper).” (Note: Most translations do say “given to wine”). In my Greek Lexicon, and English-Greek Reverse Interlinear Bible (in the ESV version), this word “drunkard” comes from the Greek words ‘paroinon,’ or ‘paroinos’, which actually translates to be “given to wine,’ or ‘staying near wine,’ i.e. The problem with this translation, in this verse, is it is misleading because it gives a green-light for Elders and Pastors to drink alcohol, as long as they don’t get ‘drunk,’ or become a “drunkard.” But let’s take a further look at this ESV translation of the word “drunkard.” In verse 3a it says that an Elder or Pastor, must not be a “drunkard” to hold that office. For example in 1 Timothy chapter 3, the Apostle Paul laid down the standard for the ‘minimal qualifications’ to be an Elder or Pastor. But like all other translations, it has its strengths and weaknesses.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |