Timothy Advised by Paul to Take a Little Wine for the Sake of His Health

    "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities." This is another of the passages in which our wise men cannot see any necessity for inspiration. Paul, they think, might well give this direction from his own knowledge. Vain men, how long will you blaspheme! Does not God say, "All Scripture is given by inspiration?" But as a dictate from the Spirit of God, has not this direction an importance that it could not have as a mere advice from man? It shows us that, even in the age of miracles, natural means were employed, and blessed by God, for the purpose to which he has adapted them. It shows us what fanaticism might, in its extravagance, deny, the lawfulness of the medical art. Have not persons been found, so far mistaking the will of God, as to allege that attention to medical advice is distrust in Providence?" God is my physician," some will exclaim, while they refuse the aid that Providence has provided. If God is our physician, we are here taught to look for a cure to our disorder from the means which he has in his Providence adapted to this end. If wine is useful for the stomach, surely God is the physician, who formed the stomach, and gave its qualities to the wine.

    The infirmity of Timothy, then, has been overruled by Providence in its usual manner, to give occasion for a direction that gives instruction to every age.

    In the frequent infirmities of Timothy which this direction brings before us, we see the usual Providence of God with regard to his people. To the gladiator the God of Providence gives herculean strength, while his best beloved servants are often oppressed with infirmities, and pained with ill health. The consideration of this is calculated to keep God's afflicted people from being stumbled by their afflictions.