Tobit 4:15

Deuterocanon

14 "Do not keep over until the next day the wages of those who work for you, but pay them at once. If you serve God you will receive payment. Watch yourself, my son, in everything you do, and discipline yourself in all your conduct. 15 And what you hate, do not do to anyone. Do not drink wine to excess or let drunkenness go with you on your way. 16 Give some of your food to the hungry, and some of your clothing to the naked. Give all your surplus as alms, and do not let your eye begrudge your giving of alms. 17 Place your bread on the grave of the righteous, but give none to sinners. 18 Seek advice from every wise person and do not despise any useful counsel.

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.

 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 ..."

Oropeza, B. J. Wine and the Lord's Supper in the Gospels, Paul, and Today (pp. 1-26) Azusa Pacific University, 2015

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