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Addicted to wine (3943) (paroinos from para = beside, near + oinos = wine) is literally " tarrying at wine" (Vine), one who stays near, continually alongside or in the presence of wine. The picture is of a man who always has a bottle (wineskin) on the table indicating his addiction (cf 1Ti 3:3)
Paroinos although literally referring to over-indulgence widened in meaning eventually describing all conduct which was outrageous. It was used to describe the one who tends to be quarrelsome because he habitually drinks too much.
To paraphrase Marvin Vincent, this is the man one who behaves ill at wine or who treats others with drunken violence.
The Jews used it of the conduct of fellow Jews who married Midianite women. It describes the character of the man who, even in his sober moments, acts with the outrageousness of a drunken man!
The Christian leaders’ behavior must not be confused with the drunken worship of Dionysus (Greek mythological god of wine and fruitfulness worshipped with orgiastic rites) which was practiced by Cretans. Those “given to wine” were also often pugnacious, abusive and given to fighting as well.
Steven Cole...
“Wine” includes all alcoholic beverages. The Bible does not prohibit drinking alcoholic beverages, but it does warn about the dangers of wine and strong drink, especially for leaders (Pr 20:1; 23:29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35; 31:4, 5). Drunkenness and addiction to alcohol are always sinful (Ep 5:18; Ro 13:13; 1Pe 4:3; 1Co 6:12). Church leaders must be especially careful so that they do not cause younger believers to stumble. If a younger believer, who formerly had a problem with drinking, sees me drinking, and my example causes him to fall back into his former ways, I am to some extent responsible. Thus if an elder chooses to drink at all, he must be careful and keep in mind his position as an example to the flock. (Read the full sermon)
MacDonald adds that
While total abstinence is not demanded in the word, there is one situation in which refraining is called for, namely, when drinking wine would offend a weaker brother or cause him to stumble (see Romans 14:21-note). This is the overriding consideration which causes great numbers of Christians in North American to abstain from alcohol entirely. With the elder, the question is not the total prohibition of wine, but rather the excessive use of wine, which leads to brawling." (MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
Proverbs adds these wise words for those who would seek to oversee others
It is not for kings...to drink wine or for rulers to desire strong drink, lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted." (Pr 31:4,5)
Matthew Henry writes that there
is no greater reproach on a minister than to be a wine-bibber, one who loves it, and gives himself undue liberty this way who continues at the wine or strong drink till it inflames him."
The overseer should
not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be (continually) filled with the Spirit" so that he be able to speak to others "in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. (Ep 5:18, 19-see notes Ep 5:18; 19)
NOT PUGNACIOUS: me plekten:
be a violent person (GWT)
a striker (YLT)
bullies (CEV)
he must not be a man ready to come to blows (Barclay)
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