The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-04-19
WINES.
As Mentioned In the New Testament.


BYREv. t. p JOHNSTON OF LIMA, OHIO.
In seeking to ascertain the precise
teachings of the New Testament, respect
ing the use of wine as a beverage, we
are met by the fact, that the Greek word
expressive Of ,Oiae is fully and accurately
translated by the word which we have
selected. Accordingly we can learn
nothing from the original word as to the
kind of liquor, or, as to the poaoer of the
liquor, any more that we can from our
own English wo-d "wines." This much
only we learn, that its origin is declared
to be in the grape, but, the certainty
even of this, must be ascertained from
other evidences than the mere name
which it bears. The fact that certain
liquor is called wine, is no proof in it
self that it was produced from grapes.
Other evidences must be had. In Pales-
tire wine was generally though not al
ways made from grapes, for in Solo
mons songs, Sth chapter and I'd verse we
read of "the wine of the juice of the
Pomegranate." And since the general
name Wine is given to the extract of the
grape regardless of the degree of its
strength, or of It's aoant Of strength this
name neither in Greek nor English. gives
us any light as to the right or sgrong Of
the use of wine 1t is simply a general
term. We must look, therefore, else
where for eridences, and, we think, that,
among these evidences, it is significant
fact that the word aCiae never occurs in
connection with any inspired record of
the Lords Supper, although, this record
is given to us no less than fur times.
And further, that of the thirty-one times
which this word does occur in the New
Testament, seventeen of these express in
some form or other. condemnation of
Uine As for instance "winebibbers" are
specified as wrong doers. BE not
drunken with wine but be filled with
the spirit" is commanded.-while most
it is declared, @that it is
good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink
wine if thereby brother stumble in or
is offended or is made weak" Romans
Il, 81. But in the remaining instances
of the recurrence Of this word, some
may think, commentator may be given.
Two of these instances occur in pre-
scriptions for wounded or infirm men
Seven times the word is used in COM
parsons or illustrations, and five times
in reference to the miracle at Cana oil
Galilee, but no where as commenting
,cine to be used as beverage. But be-
side this general statement, it must be
noticed that there are several instances
in which trine is mentioned, that justly
demand special examination The first
Of these is that one jus! referred to. The
miracle at Cana of Galilee.
A feast was made, Jesus and his dis
ciples we're invited, when he made wine
out Of the water which was there, and
commanded that wine to be used. This
change Uas miraculous and yet, "a the |
God Of Providence even now he changes
water into wine year after year, for @He
Is before all things" Paul affirms and
by Him all things consist" Col 1. II. |
The wine stock of to day, is, simply the |
channel through which he changes
water into the blood Of the grape, the
'nly difference ID q to the matter OF |
ame occupied in producing de change.