μεθύσκω

From the study of Ephesians 5:18

Range of meaning

In the active voice, 'to make someone drunk'. In the middle/passive, as here, 'to get drunk' or 'become intoxicated'. The related verb μεθύω (methyō) means 'to be drunk' and the noun μέθη (methē) means 'drunkenness'. It describes intoxication, not drinking as such. Greek has other words for drinking (πίνω, pinō) and for drinking parties (πότος, potos).

Against the English

'Get drunk' (BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB) and 'be drunk' (KJV, NLT) are accurate. The present-tense command carries a sense of 'don't be getting drunk', forbidding a pattern of life, and English can't easily show that.

Used elsewhere in the period

The exact phrase μὴ μεθύσκεσθε οἴνῳ ('do not get drunk with wine') appears in the Greek Old Testament (LXX) at Proverbs 23:31. Paul is very likely echoing that Jewish wisdom warning. Elsewhere in the NT: Luke 12:45 (the servant who 'gets drunk' while his master is away), 1 Thessalonians 5:7 ('those who get drunk, get drunk at night'), and Revelation 17:2. Drunkenness also appears in Paul's vice lists (Gal 5:21; Rom 13:13), and he rebukes it at the Corinthian church meal (1 Cor 11:21).

From the study of Sirach 32:13

Range of meaning

To make drunk, intoxicate. In the passive, to be drunk. Figuratively, to give drink in abundance, to saturate or soak (of land, or of people filled with good things).

Against the English

The KJV's "replenished" and the WEB's "gives you to drink freely" both soften the word. A strictly literal rendering would be "who makes you drunk", which overshoots in English and suggests encouraging intoxication.

How it drifted

Translators soften the word because English "make drunk" has only a negative sense, while the Greek, following its Hebrew model, can describe generous filling.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 36:8 (Hebrew 36:9; Septuagint 35:9): "they drink their fill (Hebrew yirwĕyun) of the abundance of your house". The Septuagint renders this methysthēsontai, "they will be made drunk". Jer 31:14 (Septuagint 38:14): "I will saturate (Hebrew rawah; Greek methysō) the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness (tuvi)". These are close to Sirach's wording. Sirach 31:27–28 calls wine "life to people" and "joy of heart" when it is drunk in moderation.

From the study of 1 Thessalonians 5:7

Range of meaning

Active form: "to make someone drunk". Middle/passive form, as here: "to get drunk", "to become intoxicated". It focuses on the drinking that leads to drunkenness.

Against the English

BSB and NIV render both verbs "get drunk", and KJV and WEB render both "be drunken/are drunk". So most English versions do not show that Paul uses two different verbs. YLT ("making themselves drunk… are drunken") shows the difference.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Luke 12:45 of the unfaithful servant who begins "to eat and drink and get drunk" when his master is delayed, a close parallel to this passage about watchfulness. Also used in Ephesians 5:18 ("do not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit"). Common in the Septuagint, e.g. Genesis 9:21 (Noah).