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

Other Translations of 1 Timothy 5:23

New International Version

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

English Standard Version

23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)

The Message

23 And don't worry too much about what the critics will say. Go ahead and drink a little wine, for instance; it's good for your digestion, good medicine for what ails you.

New King James Version

23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

New Living Translation

23 Don't drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:23

Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:17-25

(Read 1 Timothy 5:17-25)

Care must be taken that ministers are maintained. And those who are laborious in this work are worthy of double honour and esteem. It is their just due, as much as the reward of the labourer. The apostle charges Timothy solemnly to guard against partiality. We have great need to watch at all times, that we do not partake of other men's sins. Keep thyself pure, not only from doing the like thyself, but from countenancing it, or any way helping to it in others. The apostle also charges Timothy to take care of his health. As we are not to make our bodies masters, so neither slaves; but to use them so that they may be most helpful to us in the service of God. There are secret, and there are open sins: some men's sins are open before-hand, and going before unto judgment; some they follow after. God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make known the counsels of all hearts. Looking forward to the judgment-day, let us all attend to our proper offices, whether in higher or lower stations, studying that the name and doctrine of God may never be blasphemed on our account.