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What does the Bible say about drinking beer?

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The Bible permits the thankful, moderate use of alcoholic drink, but strongly condemns drunkenness, addiction, and the reckless desire for intoxication. Ecclesiastes 9:7 speaks of receiving wine with gratitude, and 1 Timothy 5:23 notes its medicinal use. Yet Proverbs 20:1 and Proverbs 23:29-35 warn that wine can deceive, enslave, and bring sorrow and ruin. Ephesians 5:18 commands believers not to be drunk with wine but to be filled with the Spirit, while Galatians 5:19-21 names drunkenness among works contrary to God’s kingdom. Christians should therefore exercise self-control, love for neighbor, and wisdom, abstaining where drinking would lead themselves or others into sin.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Proverbs 20:1

    Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler; Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

  • Ephesians 5:18

    Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

  • Ecclesiastes 9:7

    Go your way--eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.

  • Isaiah 5:22

    Woe to those who are mighty to drink wine, And champions at mixing strong drink;

  • Galatians 5:21

    envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

  • 1 Timothy 5:23

    Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

  • Judges 13:4

    Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don't eat any unclean thing:

  • Proverbs 23:29-35

    [29] Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? [30] Those who stay long at the wine; Those who go to seek out mixed wine. [31] Don't look at the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly: [32] In the end, it bites like a snake, And poisons like a viper. [33] Your eyes will see strange things, And your mind will imagine confusing things. [34] Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or as he who lies on top of the rigging: [35] "They hit me, and I was not hurt; They beat me, and I don't feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find another."

  • Isaiah 5:11

    Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; Who stay late into the night, until wine inflames them!

  • Galatians 5:19-21

    [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

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