Lord’s Library editors answer the question “What does the Bible say about alcohol?” with specific Bible references.
Have you ever asked yourself the question “What does the Bible say about alcohol?” If you have, you’re definitely not alone! And since the Bible helps Christians form a foundational understanding of important topics, it’s imperative that one know how Scripture describes alcohol in different contexts. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines alcohol as “Pure or highly rectified spirit, obtained from formented liquors by distillation. “
Now armed with a basic definition of alcohol, Lord’s Library editors thought it would be a helpful exercise to provide Biblical context. As a result, we compiled this short resource which captures all notable mentions of the word alcohol, as well as its other forms. If you’ve been wondering what the King James Bible says about alcohol, scroll on for additional detail.
Note: If you want to know what the Bible says about alcohol and 206 other important topics (to be exact), our editors recommend Spencer Smith’s Doctrine Matters: Bible Topic Guidebook.
What Does the Bible Say About Alcohol?
1 Corinthians 6:12
“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
Ephesians 5:18
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
Habakkuk 2:15
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!”
Genesis 9:20-21
“And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.”
Job 12:25
“They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.”
Isaiah 29:9
“Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.”
Nahum 1:10
“For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.”
Romans 13:13
“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
1 Corinthians 11:21
“For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.”
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