Often
Archaic Adjectival Usage
In modern English, "often" functions exclusively as an adverb meaning "frequently" or "many times." However, in the English of the 16th and 17th centuries, when the major English Bible translations were produced, "often" could also serve as an adjective meaning "frequent" or "repeated." This older usage appears in the King James Version and other early translations, and can sometimes confuse modern readers who encounter it.
The most prominent biblical example occurs in 1 Timothy 5:23, where Paul advises Timothy: "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities." Here "often" modifies "infirmities" as an adjective, meaning Timothy's frequent or recurring health problems.
The Passage in Context
Paul's advice to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23 is a pastoral concern embedded within a letter of practical guidance. Timothy was a young church leader serving in Ephesus, and Paul was writing to instruct him on various matters of church governance and personal conduct. The reference to Timothy's frequent stomach ailments and general health issues reveals Paul's genuine care for his protege's physical wellbeing alongside his spiritual development.
The recommendation to use a little wine was practical medical advice in the ancient world, where water quality was often unreliable and could cause digestive problems. Diluted wine was commonly used as a safer beverage and was believed to have medicinal properties for stomach conditions.
Biblical Emphasis on Frequency and Persistence
The concept behind the archaic use of "often" — frequency and repetition — is deeply woven into biblical teaching. Scripture frequently emphasizes the importance of persistent, repeated spiritual practices. Jesus taught his disciples that they "ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). The writer of Hebrews urged believers not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25). Paul instructed the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Conversely, Scripture also warns about frequent or repeated sin. Proverbs 29:1 cautions that "he who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing." The concept of habitual behavior, whether positive or negative, carries significant weight in biblical ethics.
Translation Across the Centuries
The evolution of the word "often" from adjective to exclusively adverb illustrates the broader challenges of Bible translation. Language is always changing, and words that were perfectly clear to readers in 1611 may be confusing or misleading to readers centuries later. Modern translations typically replace the adjectival "often" with "frequent" or restructure the sentence entirely. For example, the ESV renders 1 Timothy 5:23 as "your frequent ailments," while the NIV has "your frequent illnesses."
Significance for Bible Readers
Understanding archaic word usage like adjectival "often" helps modern readers engage more accurately with older translations. More importantly, the underlying concept reminds us that the Bible addresses the full range of human experience, including chronic health problems and the practical wisdom needed to manage them. Paul's concern for Timothy's physical wellbeing shows that spiritual leadership does not require ignoring bodily needs.
Biblical Context
The archaic adjectival use of 'often' appears most notably in 1 Timothy 5:23 (KJV), where Paul refers to Timothy's 'often infirmities.' The concept of frequency and repetition appears throughout Scripture in contexts of prayer, worship, sin, and divine mercy.
Theological Significance
The passage containing this usage (1 Timothy 5:23) reveals Paul's pastoral care for the whole person, body and spirit alike. It demonstrates that biblical faith does not require neglecting physical health, and that practical wisdom about bodily care is compatible with deep spiritual commitment.
Historical Background
The adjectival use of 'often' was standard in Early Modern English (16th-17th centuries) and appears in works by Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and Tennyson. The Greek word 'puknos' behind the KJV rendering means 'thick,' 'close,' or 'frequent.' In the ancient Mediterranean world, diluted wine was commonly recommended for digestive ailments, as water sources were often contaminated.