Let’s read of that miracle when the Lord Jesus was at the wedding feast of Cana.  John 2:1-11 says, “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 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. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”

As we just read, this was the first miracle the Lord performed and it manifested, or made known, His glory.  Such a miraculous event must have been amazing to witness.  Even the governor of the feast remarked that the wine the Lord produced was the best. 

Was this fermented wine or was it just grape juice?  Many have assumed that since this wine was newly made it was not yet fermented.  On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down to indwell every believer, the behavior of the Lord’s people seemed odd to the outsiders who saw them.  We read in Acts 2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”  Those who witnessed this manifestation of the Spirit, mocked them and said, “These men are full of new wine.”  (Verse 13).  Certainly, this language indicates that “new wine” is fermented and can cause drunkenness. 

Throughout the New Testament, the Greek word for wine is “oînos” and that indicates a fermented drink.  We have answered similar questions like this several times, but there seems to be a constant concern that the Lord may have encouraged others to drink alcohol.  In fact, we do not find the Lord ever condemning the use of wine.  The Lord Jesus remarked in Luke 7:34, “The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!”  Did the Lord drink wine?  Yes, He clearly acknowledged that He did.  Did the Lord ever get drunk?  No, that would be a sin.  We read in Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.  The Lord does not want us to be controlled by alcohol.  He wants us to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.  So, He DOES NOT CONDEMN drinking wine, but HE DOES CONDEMN the abuse of wine, by drinking too much. 

There were occasions in the Bible where people abused wine (Genesis 9:20-21, 19:30-36).  These occasions produced terrible results.  However there were many occasions where wine was used respectfully and godly and there were no repercussions (Numbers 6:20, Psalm 104:14-15).  Paul the apostle urged Timothy to take wine to help with his sickness.  “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23). 

In the case of wine, I think we can see that the sin is not in the substance, but in the abuse of the substance.  Many people believe they should not drink alcohol at all.  To those, I would say that if you cannot drink it in good conscience, then you should not drink it at all.  However, to those who can drink a little wine and refrain from getting drunk, then the scriptures do not condemn your actions.   (CC)  (567.4)