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Luke 21:34-35 (NIV) - 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
The three key terms translated in the NIV as "carousing," "drunkenness," and "the anxieties of life" (or similar phrases like "cares/worries of this life" in other versions) are as follows:
Carousing (NIV): Greek κραιπάλῃ (kraipalē) — dative feminine singular of κραιπάλη (kraipalē).
Strong's G2897. This is a rare word in the NT (appears only here). It literally refers to the nausea, headache, or dizziness resulting from drunken excess (often described as a "hangover" or the aftermath of overindulgence in drinking). More broadly, it denotes dissipation, surfeiting, or debauchery/excessive revelry that leads to spiritual or mental dullness. Some lexicons connect it to overindulgence in general (not just alcohol), leading to a state of being "weighed down" or fogged. It emphasizes the debilitating consequence of indulgence, distinguishing it slightly from the act of intoxication itself.
Drunkenness (NIV): Greek μέθῃ (methē) — dative feminine singular of μέθη (methē).
Strong's G3178. This is the straightforward term for intoxication or drunkenness (from the idea of being "soaked" or filled with wine/strong drink). It refers to the state of being drunk, deep drinking, or intoxication that impairs judgment and self-control. It appears a few times in the NT (e.g., parallels in other warnings against excess).
The anxieties of life (NIV): Greek μερίμναις (merimnais) — dative feminine plural of μέριμνα (merimna), modified by βιωτικαῖς (biōtikais, "of this life" or "worldly/daily living").
Strong's G3308. Μέριμνα means care, anxiety, worry, solicitude, or distraction—often with the connotation of being divided or pulled in different directions mentally/emotionally. In the plural (μερίμναις), it refers to the ongoing worries, concerns, or preoccupations of everyday life (βιωτικαῖς emphasizes "pertaining to life" or "this-worldly" matters). Jesus uses similar language elsewhere (e.g., the "cares of the world" in the Parable of the Sower, Mark 4:19/Matthew 13:22), portraying these as thorns that choke spiritual fruitfulness or vigilance.
Mark 4:19 (NIV) - 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Proverbs 20:1 – NIV - 20 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
There are other Old Testament passages that have a similar theme with respect to alcohol.
Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:20-21, Proverbs 23:29-35, Isaiah 5:11-12, 21-23 and Isaiah 28:1-3
While there are several passages that specifically speaking to excess of alcohol but let’s also consider the broader theme of being ‘fogged’ with respect to our spiritual lives.
Other New Testament parables and teachings share elements of distraction, unpreparedness due to
worldly concerns/excess, or the need for watchfulness:
Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21) — A man hoards wealth for ease and security ("eat, drink, be merry"), but God calls him a fool as his life ends suddenly. It warns against being consumed by material cares and anxieties about provision, leaving one unready for God's accounting.
Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) — Five foolish virgins are unprepared (lacking oil) when the bridegroom comes suddenly at midnight; they miss the wedding feast. It stresses watchfulness and readiness, as the day comes unexpectedly—like the "trap" in Luke 21.
Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27 variant) — The unfaithful servant buries his talent out of fear/anxiety, failing to produce fruit; he is cast out. It ties unpreparedness to distraction from stewardship.
Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24) — Invited guests make excuses tied to worldly cares (buying land, oxen, marriage), refusing the invitation; they miss the feast. Worldly preoccupations prevent response to God's call.
Q: Is this message of caution regarding dullness and unpreparedness targeted towards believing Christians or for non-believers to accept Christ?
Q: What is the impact of these distractions to believing Christians even if their salvation is secured?
How do we stay vigilant?
Vigilant Definition - keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
Psalm 55:22 (NIV) 22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV) - 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
2 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) - 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Revelation 3:3 (NIV) - 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
2 Peter 3:11-14 (NIV) - 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[a] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
Matthew 25:13 (NIV) - 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 (NIV) - 5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
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