In today's world, what drug use would be deemed pharmakeia, or sorcery, as it is listed in Galatians 5:20?
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In Galatians 5:20, among the deeds of the flesh, Paul lists "pharmakeia," which, as i understand, is commonly translated as sorcery or witchcraft, referring to the use or administering of drugs or poisons or spells or connection to spirits, sometimes in connection with idolatry, that may possibly lead to deceptions or enticements of the mind or body. I have also read that this is the Greek word for medicines or drugs that inhibit or alter a person's perception, personality, or behavior, aka, mind altering substances. The common English word pharmacy comes from this word, a store where we get drugs. First off, do I understand this word correctly?
Secondly, if I do, what view of drug use in today’s world would be pharmakiea, pharmakiea-like, and deemed as fleshly by Paul, in the spirit of the lists of Galatians 5? Does Paul's view of pharmakeia and the flesh have any bearing on drug use in general and, specifically, on mind-altering drugs or some of today's psychiatric medications? Some psychiatric drugs are mind, mood, desire, behavior, experience, and possibly even perception and to some degree personality, altering drugs.
One beginning thought. I understand that in 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul writes to Timothy and says, "No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments." This is often cited as a speaking to the use of some medicinal treatments as proper and fitting. But where a "little wine" for the stomach and ailments, which would not affect the proper function of the mind and body in a way that blinds, dulls, deceives, entices, or injurs them, or that alters service and worship to God, may speak to using some types of medications for different bodily ailments, I don't know that it necessarily speaks to the case at hand of what examples pharmakeia is speaking against.
Asked by caleb
(17 rep)
Jun 26, 2016, 10:30 PM
Last activity: Jun 27, 2016, 02:24 AM
Last activity: Jun 27, 2016, 02:24 AM