What Does the Bible Say About Pastors Drinking?
The Bible says a pastor or elder must not be “given to wine.” That means not a drunkard and not someone whose life is ruled by alcohol. It doesn’t flatly forbid every drink, and Christians differ on whether a pastor should drink at all. What Scripture makes clear is that a church leader needs to be self-controlled, and that his example matters to the people watching him.
The key verses
When Paul lists what’s required of an overseer, drinking is on the list.
“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, selfcontrolled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
He says something similar to Titus about elders, in Titus 1:7, and about deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8, who must not be “given to much wine.” The repetition tells you this was a real concern in the early church.
What “not given to wine” meant
The phrase describes someone who isn’t attached to wine, who doesn’t linger over it or depend on it. It clearly rules out drunkenness. It also rules out the steady, heavy drinking that never quite looks like a scene but shapes a person’s evenings and moods.
Some Christians read it as allowing a glass of wine with dinner. Others read the whole tone of these passages, along with the danger of alcohol, as a reason for leaders to abstain completely. Both views are held by serious, faithful believers.
Other passages people point to
Priests in the Old Testament. God told Aaron and his sons not to drink wine or strong drink when they went into the tabernacle to serve (Leviticus 10:9).
Kings. Proverbs warns that it isn’t for kings to drink wine, because they might forget the law and judge unfairly (Proverbs 31:4-5). The principle carries over to anyone with responsibility for others.
Timothy’s stomach. Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine for his health (1 Timothy 5:23). It shows wine wasn’t forbidden. It also shows Timothy’s normal habit seems to have been water.
The weaker brother. Paul said it’s good not to drink wine if it causes a brother to stumble (Romans 14:21). Pastors live with that verse more than most.
How churches differ
Some denominations ask their pastors to abstain from alcohol completely, and some ask the same of members. Others leave it to the pastor’s conscience as long as he’s never drunk. Many churches have written policies. If you’re a pastor or a church member wondering about your own church, the first step is to find out what it actually teaches.
Why the example matters
A pastor’s congregation includes people who are fighting alcohol. Some sit in the pews every week with a secret. When they see their pastor drink, or hear him joke about it, it can land very differently than he intended.
“It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”
That isn’t a reason for pastors to perform. It’s a reason to think carefully about what freedom costs other people.
If you’re a pastor and this is personal
Maybe you’re not reading this as a theology question. Maybe you’re a pastor who drinks more than you should, and the verses in 1 Timothy feel like a weight.
You’re not the first. The same Paul who wrote those standards also wrote that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. Your calling doesn’t make you immune, and your struggle doesn’t make you beyond help.
Safety first. If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor before you quit.
Start by telling one trusted person outside your congregation: a mentor, a denominational leader, a counselor, or a pastor friend in recovery. If you drink every day, see a doctor before you stop. Our page for a pastor struggling with alcohol walks through who to tell and how to protect your family and church while you get help.
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A question for any church leader
Would I be comfortable if the people I lead saw exactly how much I drink, and why? If the answer is no, that’s worth praying about this week.
A prayer for those who lead
“Lord, You’ve called me to lead Your people. Keep me sober in mind and body. Where alcohol has a hold on me, give me the humility to confess it and get help. Let my example point people to You. Amen.”
For the broader question, read Can a Christian drink alcohol?
Common questions
Can a pastor drink alcohol?
The Bible doesn't flatly forbid it, but it says church leaders must not be given to wine, meaning not drunkards or heavy drinkers. Many churches and denominations go further and ask pastors not to drink at all.
What does 'not given to wine' mean?
It describes someone who isn't attached to or ruled by alcohol. It rules out drunkenness and habitual heavy drinking. Christians differ on whether it allows moderate drinking.
Should a pastor who struggles with alcohol step down?
That depends on the situation and the church. The first step is getting honest with a trusted leader and getting help. Many pastors find their elders or denomination respond with more grace than they feared.
Did Paul tell Timothy to drink wine?
Yes. In 1 Timothy 5:23 Paul told Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach. It shows wine wasn't forbidden, but the advice was small, specific and for his health.
Talk it through with Jimmy or Sarah — first month free
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