Texts in Conversation
Ephesians addresses the issue of drunkenness, a concern found throughout early Jewish traditions such as in Tobit, which advises against drinking wine excessively. Both follow teachings that highlight the importance of self-control.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Tobit 4:15
Deuterocanon
14 Do not let the wages of any man, which shall work for you, stay with you, but render it to him out of hand: and if you serve God, recompense shall be made to you. Take heed to yourself, my child, in all your works, and be discreet in all your behaviour. 15 And what you yourself hate, do to no man. Do not drink wine to drunkenness, and do not let drunkenness go with you on your way. 16 Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your garments to them that are naked: of all your abundance give alms; and do not let your eye be grudging when you give alms. 17 Pour out your bread and your wine on the tomb of the just, and do not give to sinners. 18 Ask counsel of every man that is wise, and do not despise any counsel that is profitable.
Date: 225–175 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Ephesians 5:18
New Testament
15 Therefore consider carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 taking advantage of every opportunity because the days are evil. 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Date: 90–100 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Sometimes well-meaning ministers claim that the ancient world did not suffer from the alcoholic epidemic we face in 21st century. It would be an understatement, however, to assert that the world of Jesus did not have its share of alcoholics. Greeks and Romans in particular were famous for drinking parties, saturnalia, and devotion to Dionysus/Bacchus, the god of wine. Both ancient Christians and Jews encountered many drunkards in their era (Deuteronomy 21:20-21; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-30; 31:4-5; Isaiah 5:11; 1 Maccabees 16:16; Tobit 4:15; Philo On Drunkenness 27, 206; Matthew 24:48-51; Acts 2:13, 15; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10; 11:21; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18). Whatever the case, the cultural leap between the ancient Mediterranean world and ours must be considered ..."
B. J. Oropeza, “Wine and the Lord’s Supper in the Gospels, Paul, and Today,” (2015): 1–26.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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