In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advises Timothy to stop drinking only water and instead use a little wine for his stomach and frequent ailments. The instruction assumes Timothy has been abstaining from wine entirely, perhaps for ascetic reasons or to avoid any appearance of excess. Paul's pastoral wisdom recognizes that some physical conditions benefit from medicinal use of wine, and that extreme asceticism isn't required for godliness. The advice is practical, not theological—Paul addresses Timothy's specific health needs with common-sense medical counsel of the time.