What does the Bible say about alcohol and drinking?

Wine is mentioned often in the Bible, sometimes as a gift and a sign of joy (Psalm 104:15, Jesus turning water into wine), and the Bible repeatedly warns against drunkenness (Proverbs 20:1, Ephesians 5:18).

Some people abstained, such as those under a Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:2–3), and Paul tells believers not to drink if it would make a brother stumble (Romans 14:21). Christian traditions differ on whether drinking in moderation is wise.

The passages

1. Psalm 104:14–15

   He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.

   KJV

   He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

2. John 2:9–10

   and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!”

   KJV

   When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

3. Proverbs 20:1

   Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

   KJV

   Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

4. Proverbs 23:29–35

   Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to taste mixed drinks. Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will utter perversities. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas or lying on the top of a mast: “They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I did not know it! When can I wake up to search for another drink?”

   KJV

   Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

5. Ephesians 5:18

   Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

   KJV

   And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

6. Isaiah 5:11

   Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine.

   KJV

   Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

7. Numbers 6:2–3

   “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.

   KJV

   Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

8. Romans 14:21

   It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.

   KJV

   It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

9. 1 Timothy 5:23

   Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

   KJV

   Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

10. 1 Timothy 3:8

    Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

    KJV

    Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Every passage is quoted in full from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain); tap KJV for the King James Version. Steady quotes the text and does not take sides where churches differ.