Greek word · G1466

ἐγκράτεια

enkrateia

self-control

Self-mastery, control of one's own desires and impulses. It comes from en + kratos, "in power", that is, having power over oneself. It covers appetite for food and drink, sexual desire, anger and pleasure in general.

Appears 4 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐγκράτεια, -ας, ἡ (-ἐγκρατής),

[in LXX: Sirach 18:15, 30 4Ma.5:34 * ;]

1. prop., mastery, control.

2. (sc. ἑαθτοῦ) self-control: Acts 24:25, Galatians 5:23, 2 Peter 1:6 (see DB, iv, 558b 695a; Page on Ac, l.with).

† (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 2 Peter 1:6

Range of meaning

Self-mastery, control of one's own desires and impulses. It comes from en + kratos, "in power", that is, having power over oneself. It covers appetite for food and drink, sexual desire, anger and pleasure in general. Its opposite in Greek ethics is akrasia, "lack of power" over oneself: knowing the good but being overcome by desire.

Against the English

"Self-control" (BSB, WEB, NIV, ESV, NASB, NLT) is accurate. The KJV's "temperance" was accurate in 1611, when it meant general moderation, but modern readers tend to hear abstinence from alcohol.

How it drifted

The 19th-century Temperance movement tied "temperance" to giving up alcohol, which narrowed a much broader word.

Used elsewhere in the period

Aristotle gives a whole book of the Nicomachean Ethics (Book VII) to enkrateia and akrasia. Stoic and Jewish Hellenistic writers prized it: Philo praises it often, 4 Maccabees presents the martyrs' reason mastering the passions, and Wisdom 8:21 says one cannot be enkratēs unless God grants it. In the New Testament: Gal 5:23 (fruit of the Spirit), Acts 24:25 (Paul speaks to Felix about "righteousness, self-control and the coming judgment"), and the verb in 1 Cor 9:25 (the athlete's discipline) and 1 Cor 7:9.

From the study of Acts 24:25

Range of meaning

Literally "being in power" over oneself: mastery of one's desires and impulses, above all appetite for food, drink and sex. In Greek moral philosophy it is the opposite of akrasia, being too weak to do what one knows is right.

Against the English

BSB, WEB and most modern versions have "self-control," which is accurate. The KJV's "temperance" meant moderation and self-restraint in 1611. Today it mostly suggests not drinking alcohol.

How it drifted

The 19th-century temperance movement tied the word "temperance" to giving up alcohol. As a result many readers of the KJV picture a sermon against drink.

Used elsewhere in the period

Xenophon, Memorabilia 1.5.4: Socrates calls enkrateia the foundation of virtue. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics book 7, analyses the self-controlled versus the weak-willed person. Philo and 4 Maccabees praise it as reason mastering the passions. In the NT: Gal 5:23 (fruit of the Spirit), 2 Pet 1:6, and the verb in 1 Cor 7:9 (sexual self-control) and 1 Cor 9:25 (athletes in training).

From the study of Galatians 5:23

Range of meaning

Self-mastery, being in control of oneself, especially over bodily appetites (food, drink, sex) and impulses. It literally means 'having power (kratos) within', holding the reins of one's own desires. It covers all appetites, not alcohol in particular, and does not by itself mean total abstinence.

Against the English

KJV/YLT 'temperance'; modern versions 'self-control'. In 1611 'temperance' meant moderation and self-restraint in general (one of the classical cardinal virtues). Since the 19th-century temperance movement it has mainly meant abstaining from alcohol, which is far too narrow. 'Self-control' is accurate, though in modern ears it can suggest pure willpower.

How it drifted

The 19th-century temperance movement narrowed 'temperance' in popular English to the specific campaign against drink.

Used elsewhere in the period

A central term of Greek moral philosophy. Socrates in Xenophon calls enkrateia the 'foundation of virtue' (Memorabilia 1.5.4). Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics book 7) discusses the enkratēs, the one who feels strong desires but masters them, against the akratēs, who gives in. Hellenistic Judaism took it up: Philo praises it often, and 4 Maccabees presents devout reason mastering the passions. In the NT: Acts 24:25 (Paul speaks to Felix of 'righteousness, self-control and the coming judgment'), 2 Pet 1:6; the verb in 1 Cor 7:9 (sexual self-control) and 1 Cor 9:25 (the athlete who 'exercises self-control in all things').

Similar words

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 24:25 ἐγκρατείας self-control

    As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

    Here: Having power over oneself, especially over desire, appetite and sexual impulse. Drusilla, sitting beside Felix, had left her husband to marry him, so the topic was pointed.

Galatians · 1

  1. Galatians 5:23 ἐγκράτεια· self-control;

    gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

    Here: The ninth and last item. It means having power over oneself (en + kratos, 'power within'), especially over appetites and desires. The list closes with exactly what the 'desires of the flesh' (5:16, 24) threaten.

2 Peter · 2

  1. 2 Peter 1:6 ἐγκράτειαν, ἐγκρατείᾳ self-control,, self-control

    and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

    Here: Mastery over your own desires and impulses (appetite, sex, anger, speech). The word describes being "in power" over yourself.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.