Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

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

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1

Commentary

This chapter begins with a warning against the abuse of wine, or excessive drinking (see this theme more extensively in 23:29-35). A wise person takes the danger seriously. There is no wisdom in drunkenness, only brawling and confusion.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Pr 20:1). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Did you know?

Wine was grape juice mixed with water to dilute it, but strong drink was unmixed. While the use of these beverages is not specifically condemned (Deut. 14:26), being intoxicated always is (Is. 28:7).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Pr 20:1). Nashville: Word Pub.

Romans 15:4 - Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Commentary

Although Christians live under the New Covenant and are not under the authority of the Old Covenant, God's moral law has not changed and all Scripture is of spiritual benefit (1 Cor. 10:6, 10, 11; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21). The Word of God not only informs believers how to endure, but it also encourages them in the process. hope. See note on 5:2. Without the clear and certain promises of the Word of God, the believer has no basis for hope (cf. Ps. 119:81,114; Eph. 2:12; Jer. 14:8).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ro 15:4). Nashville: Word Pub.