Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 5:23

"Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach`s sake and thine often infirmities." — 1 Timothy 5:23 (ASV)

Apparently for medicinal purposes, Timothy is told not to restrict himself to drinking water but to “use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” The word for wine (GK 3885) is sometimes used in LXX for unfermented grape juice. Furthermore, it is generally agreed that the wine of Jesus’ day was usually rather weak and, especially among the Jews, often diluted with water. Moreover, safe drinking water was not always readily available in those eastern countries.