Pro 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Pro 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

This passage is very damning to those who claim getting drunk in any circumstance is wrong. More so to those who claim even a drop of alcohol is a sin. It is very obvious that this “prophecy of God” is saying for individuals to proactively provide alcohol to those who are dying and those who an in emotional pain (such as a loss of a child). The purpose of the alcohol is to “forget… povery” and “remember… misery no more”. This is heightened by the contrast in the very verses preceding this:

Pro 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Pro 31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Pro 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Pro 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

The immediate context is that rulers should not drink wine because it lends to inhibition and forgetfulness. To others, however, both “strong drink” and “wine” should be given. This presents a key point against the “not one drop” crowd. If alcohol is sinful, why does God command, for any reason, that people consume it? Paul also, commands Timothy to take wine for his problems:

1Ti 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

In this case, Timothy was not even dying or in mental anguish. Paul was, appropriately, not telling him to get drunk in this instance. Drunkenness is reserved for those in poverty and misery. Alcohol in moderation has many other purposes.

So how do those who claim alcohol as a sin take Proverbs. Predictibly, they misread it entirely and ignore the key points and takeaways (that is if they do not ignore it completely):

28) Proverbs 31:6-7 – Strong drink could be given to those about to perish or those in pain. Better anesthetics are available today.

This is nonsense on stilts. The Proverbs passage had nothing to do with “anesthetics” and even if it did, this verse makes clear alcohol is not always a sin, something this source rejects:

3) The Bible says alcoholic drink is evil. It is not just the amount one drinks that makes drinking a sin. God condemns the drink itself. (Prov 20:1 KJV)

So, is it a sin to drink any amount of alcohol for anesthetics or are you a hypocritical liar?

When fallible human beings impose their made-up morality on the Bible, legalism abounds. Never again use mouthwash or eat pasta cooked in wine. Never eat old applesauce or any other fruit for that matter. Alcohol, like self-righteousness, abounds in everything.