Greek word · G192

ἀκρασία

akrasia

self-indulgence

Lack of mastery over yourself: being unable to govern your appetites, especially for pleasure. The opposite of enkrateia, self-mastery or self-control.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἀκρασία, -ας, ἡ

(ἀκρατής, which see), [in LXX: 1Ma.6:26 * ;]

in Arist. and later writers = ἀκράτεια (Lft., Notes, 222 f.), want of power, hence want of self-control, incontinence: Matthew 23:25, 1 Corinthians 7:5.†

(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 1 Corinthians 7:5

Range of meaning

Lack of mastery over yourself: being unable to govern your appetites, especially for pleasure. The opposite of enkrateia, self-mastery or self-control.

Against the English

Modern versions have "lack of self-control", which is accurate. KJV "incontinency" and YLT "incontinence" were accurate in 1611 and 1862, but today they mislead (see the drift warnings).

How it drifted

"Incontinence" comes from Latin incontinentia (the Vulgate's word here), meaning failure to "hold in" your desires. In modern English it is almost entirely a medical word for loss of bladder or bowel control.

Used elsewhere in the period

A major subject in Greek ethics: Aristotle devotes Nicomachean Ethics book 7 to akrasia, knowing what is right but being overpowered by desire. In Matthew 23:25 Jesus uses it of the Pharisees' cups full of "greed and self-indulgence". Paul answers it with egkrateuontai, "they have self-mastery", in 7:9, and lists enkrateia among the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23.

From the study of Matthew 23:25

Range of meaning

Lack of self-mastery, inability to restrain one's appetites, intemperance. It is literally 'without power/strength' (a- + kratos) over oneself.

Against the English

'Self-indulgence' (BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB) is close. KJV 'excess' and YLT 'incontinence' (older English for lack of self-restraint) keep the idea of appetite running unchecked. WEB 'unrighteousness' translates a different manuscript reading (adikia).

Used elsewhere in the period

A key term in Greek ethics: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics book 7, treats akrasia as knowing the good but being overcome by desire. Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 7:5 for sexual lack of self-control. Philo uses it often for slavery to pleasure.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 23:25 ἀκρασίας. self-indulgence.

    Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

    Here: Having no mastery over one's appetites. Next to the image of the cup, it suggests drinking and feasting without restraint.

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:5 ἀκρασίαν lack of self-control

    Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.

    Here: The inability to rule your own desires, the opposite of enkrateia (self-mastery, 7:9). Paul assumes most married people do not have the ability to abstain indefinitely, and he says so plainly.

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