ὑδροποτέω

I am a water drinker

Definition

The verb ὑδροποτέω means 'to drink water' or 'to be a water-drinker.' In its only New Testament occurrence in 1 Timothy 5:23, it carries the specific sense of abstaining from wine and consuming only water, likely as a form of ascetic practice or due to a mistaken belief about health. The term implies a deliberate, habitual choice rather than a single act. Paul advises Timothy against this strict practice, recommending instead a little wine for his stomach ailments.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 1 Timothy 5:23. It describes Timothy's personal habit or discipline of drinking only water. The context is pastoral advice from Paul, correcting an overly ascetic practice that may have been harming Timothy's health. There is no pattern of usage across books, as it is a hapax legomenon (word occurring once).

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words ὕδωρ (hydōr, G5204), meaning 'water,' and ποτέω (poteō), a verb meaning 'to drink.' It is a compound verb literally meaning 'to water-drink.' Cognates include ὑδροποτης (hydropotēs, G5203), a noun for 'water-drinker.' The formation is straightforward, combining the elements for the specific beverage and the action.

Semantic Range

This word touches on early Christian attitudes toward asceticism, health, and God's good creation. Paul's correction in 1 Timothy 5:23 suggests that extreme bodily discipline (like only drinking water) is not inherently virtuous and can be detrimental. It affirms that God's physical provisions, like wine, can be used moderately for benefit, countering any dualistic belief that spiritual purity requires rejecting certain created things. Understanding this Greek term highlights the pastoral balance in Christian living.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, water was often unsafe to drink, while wine was typically mixed with water and consumed daily. Choosing to drink only water could signal philosophical asceticism (e.g., among some Stoics or Cynics) or be part of a religious vow. Paul's advice reflects practical wisdom about health in that setting, where a little wine had antiseptic properties, and counters any cultural or religious pressure toward an unhealthy extreme of self-denial.

πίνω (pinō, G4095) — the general verb 'to drink,' without specifying the beverage. ποτίζω (potizō, G4222) — often means 'to give to drink,' 'to water,' or 'to irrigate,' focusing on providing drink rather than consuming it.

Word Details

Scripture References