Overview
The Bible addresses temperance across 29 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Daniel, Titus and Proverbs. Closely related themes include Self-Denial, Commandments, Sobriety and Abed-Nego. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Daniel and Jesus.
Key Bible verses about temperance
Old Testament
Esther
And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. royal: Heb. wine of the kingdom state: Heb. hand
And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
Proverbs
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Daniel
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. pulse: Heb. of pulse to eat: Heb. that we may eat, etc
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
New Testament
1 Corinthians
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.3303 Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Thessalonians
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Timothy
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
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Titus
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
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
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; holiness: or, holy women false: or, one who foments strife
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly righteously, and godly, in this present world;
People in the Bible and temperance
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
Studying temperance for yourself
- Begin with Esther 1:7, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Daniel, Titus and Proverbs each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Daniel and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Self-Denial, Commandments, Sobriety and Abed-Nego.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about temperance?
The Bible addresses temperance across 29 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Daniel, Titus and Proverbs. Closely related themes include Self-Denial, Commandments, Sobriety and Abed-Nego. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Daniel and Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about temperance?
The Bible references temperance in 29 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention temperance?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Esther 1:7: “And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. royal: Heb. wine of the kingdom state: Heb. hand”
Which people in the Bible are associated with temperance?
Daniel and Jesus.
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