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Q9: Why did Paul permit Timothy to drink wine (1 Tim 5:23) if Timothy was under a Nazirite vow? Mike doubts Timothy was under such a vow

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 22) 00:34:10 – 00:37:18

Viewer 'Christian Metal Head' asks about the apparent tension between Paul's instruction to drink wine and the Nazirite vow restrictions.

Mike reads Numbers 6:1-4 on the Nazirite vow — no wine, strong drink, grape products, no razor; importantly the vow is temporary ('all the days of his vow'). He notes Samson's vow was an atypical, God-imposed, lifelong version. For Timothy, Paul simply says 'no longer drink only water but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments' (1 Timothy 5:23) — no indication of ending a vow. Timothy may have abstained for other reasons (ministry sensitivity, family background). Most plausible explanation: Timothy was traveling and drinking local water with unfamiliar bacteria; wine would help settle his stomach.

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