What does the word temperate actually mean in the Bible?

In the Bible, the word temperate means maintaining balance in any area of life—not merely abstaining from alcohol. It involves self-control and moderation, as seen in athletes who trained without overindulging or starving themselves. Temperance applies to all things, requiring a balanced approach rather than extremes.

Les explains that Paul uses the Olympic games as an illustration. Athletes striving for mastery trained with temperance—they did not eat excessively for energy nor starve to lose weight. The word temperate means maintaining balance in any area of life, not just avoiding alcohol. Les notes that people often think temperance only refers to booze, like Cary Nation, but it applies to all areas. Paul tells believers to run their spiritual race to obtain reward, not salvation, and to be temperate in all things.

1 Corinthians 9:25

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

What does the Bible mean by temperance, and does it only refer to alcohol?

Temperance means maintaining balance in any area of life, not merely abstaining from alcohol. The context uses athletes who train for the mastery: they neither overeat for energy nor starve to lose weight, but keep their bodies disciplined and balanced. So temperance applies broadly to all things, including the spiritual race, for reward not salvation.