Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Be no longer a drinker of water (mhketi udropotei). Present active imperative (prohibition) of udropotew, old verb (from udropothv, water drinker, udwr, pinw), here only in N.T. Not complete asceticism, but only the need of some wine urged in Timothy's peculiar physical condition (a sort of medical prescription for this case).
But use a little wine (alla ainw oligw xrw). Present middle imperative of xraomai with instrumental case. The emphasis is on oligw (a little).
For thy stomach's sake (dia ton stomaxon). Old word from stoma (mouth). In Homer throat, opening of the stomach (Aristotle), stomach in Plutarch. Here only in N.T. Our word "stomach."
Thine often infirmities (tav puknav sou asqeneiav). Puknov is old word, dense, frequent. In N.T. only here, Luke 5:33; Acts 24:26. Asqeneiav = weaknesses, lack of strength (Romans 8:26). Timothy was clearly a semi-invalid.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Timothy 5:23:
Acts 16:1
Acts 20:34
Acts 24:26
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