ANSWER: The twenty-third verse is an account of Paul prescribing the use of wine only as a medicine to treat Timothy’s stomach ailment and other infirmities. Had Timothy been in the habit of drinking wine, it would not have been necessary for Paul to tell him what to do for his illness. Clearly then, this passage does not authorize the use of wine under other than medical conditions. Such would be sinful! Please read Proverbs 23:29-35; Isaiah 5:11; Habakkuk 2:15; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; and Galatians 5:19-21.

Verses twenty-four and twenty-five deals with the sins of man and the good works of man. Some men’s ungodly actions are, by nature, apparent to all, and may, therefore, be righteously judged as sinful (John 7:24) in this life by others. Some sins are engaged in deceptively and undercover, and though they may remain hidden in this life, will eventually be revealed at the final Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). The same is true of the good works of man. They cannot be concealed or hidden forever. Many of them will be made known in this life to the glory of God (Matthew 5:16). Those not seen in this life will, as the sins of man, be made known at the Judgment.