Ambrose of Milan, on 1Tim 5:23

“Do not still drink water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thy frequent infirmities.”

“And is not temperance in harmony with nature and that divine law which in the beginning of all things gave the springs for drink and the fruits of trees for food? After the flood, the just man found wine a source of temptation to him. Let us, then, use the natural food of temperance, and would that we all could do so! But, because not all are strong, the apostle therefore says, "Use a little wine for your frequent infirmities." We must drink it not for our pleasure but for our infirmity, sparingly as a remedy, not excessively as a gratification.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.