Overview
The Bible addresses sobriety across 16 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Titus, 1 Timothy and 1 Peter. Closely related themes include Commandments, Temperance, Watchfulness and Minister (1). Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.
Key Bible verses about sobriety
New Testament
1 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; broided: or, plaited
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; of good: or, modest
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; given: or, ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as one in wine
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Titus
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; men: or, things
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. sober: or, vigilant
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, sober: or, wise
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. sober: or, discreet
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, hath: or, to all men, hath appeared
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly righteously, and godly, in this present world;
1 Peter
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; to the end: Gr. perfectly
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
People in the Bible and sobriety
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying sobriety for yourself
- Begin with Romans 12:3, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Titus, 1 Timothy and 1 Peter each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Commandments, Temperance, Watchfulness and Minister (1).
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about sobriety?
The Bible addresses sobriety across 16 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Titus, 1 Timothy and 1 Peter. Closely related themes include Commandments, Temperance, Watchfulness and Minister (1). Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about sobriety?
The Bible references sobriety in 16 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention sobriety?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Romans 12:3: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. soberly: Gr. to sobriety”
Which people in the Bible are associated with sobriety?
Jesus.
Preach & teach
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