Drink no longer water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent illnesses.
All Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5:23 Go To 1 Timothy 5
John Chrysostom
AD 407
If one who had practiced fasting to such an extent and used only water, so long that he had brought on “infirmities” and “frequent infirmities,” is thus commanded to be chaste and does not refuse the admonition, much less ought we to be offended when we receive an admonition from anyone…. For the miracles Timothy wrought were enough to have rendered him arrogant. For this reason he is left to be subject to the rules of medicine, that he may be humbled and others may not be offended but may learn that they who performed such excellent actions were men of the same nature as themselves…. Paul does not however allow him to indulge freely in wine, but as much as was for health and not for luxury.
