Brief Overview of πάροινος (Strong’s G3943: paroinos)

Strong’s G3943: A compound adjective combining παρά (beside) with οἶνος (wine), meaning “given to wine, quarrelsome due to drinking.” Used in pastoral epistles as a disqualifying characteristic for church leadership. Emphasizes not just drunkenness but the associated behavioral problems in character and conduct.

U- Unveiling the Word

πάροινος represents more than simple drunkenness; it describes the character and behavior associated with excessive wine consumption. In the pastoral epistles, it appears in lists of negative qualities disqualifying one from church leadership. The compound structure suggests staying beside wine, implying habitual behavior. Early church fathers used this term to discuss both literal sobriety and spiritual alertness required for leadership. Today, it informs discussions about Christian leadership character and substance abuse.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πάροινος, paroinos, /par-OY-nos/
• Detailed pronunciation: par (as in ‘par’) + OY (stressed) + nos (as in ‘nose’)
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• παρά (para-): beside
• οἶνος (oinos): wine
• -ος (-os): adjectival ending

D – Defining Meanings

• Given to wine
• Quarrelsome from drinking
• Behaving badly with wine

For compound words:
παρα- combines with οἶνος to describe someone who stays beside wine, emphasizing habitual association

Translation Options:

• “Given to wine” – emphasizes habit
• “Drunken” – focuses on condition
• “Quarrelsome with wine” – emphasizes behavioral aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• μέθυσος (methysos) /METH-oo-sos/ – drunkard
• οἰνοπότης (oinopotēs) /oy-no-PO-tace/ – wine drinker
• νηφάλιος (nēphalios) /nay-FAL-ee-os/ – sober, opposite meaning

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adjective, πάροινος exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine
• Declension: 2nd

Examples:
πάροινος (nom. sing.)
παροίνου (gen. sing.)
πάροινοι (nom. pl.)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes behavioral aspects beyond drunkenness. Thayer’s notes its connection to quarrelsomeness. LSJ documents extensive usage for drunken behavior. Vine’s highlights its significance in leadership qualifications. Moulton and Milligan note its use in character descriptions.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“not [πάροινος] given to wine, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1 Timothy 3:3)

Additional References:
Titus 1:7

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πάροινος describes not just drunkenness but the associated character flaws and behavioral problems, particularly significant in defining qualifications for church leadership.

D – Did You Know?

• The term appears in ancient character assessments
• It influenced early church discipline practices
• The word encompasses both addiction and resulting behavior

[Lexicon Summary]
A compound adjective combining παρά (beside) with οἶνος (wine), meaning “given to wine, quarrelsome due to drinking.” Used in pastoral epistles as a disqualifying characteristic for church leadership. Emphasizes not just drunkenness but the associated behavioral problems in character and conduct.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: #adjective #wine #leadership #pastoral_epistles #character #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament #church_leadership #sobriety​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​