Greek word · G4998

σώφρων

sōphrōn

self-controlled

Literally "safe-minded" or "sound-minded." Moderate, prudent, self-controlled, master of oneself, chaste in the case of women. The abstract noun sōphrosynē was one of the four cardinal virtues of Greek philosophy (with wisdom, courage and justice).

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

What it means

σώφρων, -ον

[in LXX: 4Ma.9:1-32 * ;]

(a) of sound mind, sane, sensible;

(b) self-controlled, sober-minded: 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8 2:2, 5 (Arist.).†

(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 Titus 2:2

Range of meaning

Literally "safe-minded" or "sound-minded." Moderate, prudent, self-controlled, master of oneself, chaste in the case of women. The abstract noun sōphrosynē was one of the four cardinal virtues of Greek philosophy (with wisdom, courage and justice).

Against the English

BSB, NIV, ESV "self-controlled"; NASB "sensible"; KJV "temperate"; YLT "sober"; WEB "sober minded." No single English word covers it. "Self-controlled" catches the restraint but not the good sense and balanced judgment; "sensible" catches the judgment but sounds weak.

How it drifted

KJV's "temperate" (from Latin temperans) was a fair choice in 1611, but modern ears hear it mostly as a word about alcohol.

Used elsewhere in the period

Central to Plato and Aristotle (Helen North's classic study Sophrosyne traces it through Greek literature). In Titus the word family is everywhere: elders (1:8), young women "trained" to it (sōphronizō, 2:4) and to be sōphrōn (2:5), young men urged to sōphronein (2:6), and all believers taught by grace to live sōphronōs (2:12). In Wisdom 8:7 sōphrosynē is listed with the cardinal virtues.

From the study of 1 Timothy 3:2

Range of meaning

'Of sound (or safe) mind.' Sōphrosynē was one of the four classic Greek virtues alongside wisdom, courage and justice: moderation, self-mastery, prudence, knowing one's limits. Applied to women it often meant chastity and modesty.

Against the English

BSB/ESV 'self-controlled,' NASB 'prudent,' WEB 'sensible,' KJV 'sober.' 'Self-controlled' can shrink the word to resisting temptation. The Greek also includes good judgement and a balanced, sensible mind.

Used elsewhere in the period

Central in Plato and Aristotle. Common in Hellenistic honour inscriptions praising officials. The Pastoral Letters use the word-group unusually often (1 Tim 2:9, 15; Titus 1:8; 2:2, 4–6, 12; 2 Tim 1:7).

From the study of Titus 1:8

Range of meaning

Etymologically 'safe/sound in mind'. One of the four cardinal virtues of Greek ethics, with wisdom, courage and justice. Its range covers prudence, good sense, moderation, self-restraint, modesty and decency: knowing your limits and keeping desires and judgments in proper proportion.

Against the English

KJV 'sober' and WEB 'sober minded'. To a modern ear 'sober' mostly means 'not drunk' or 'serious, gloomy', and neither is the main idea. Drinking is already covered by 'not given to wine' in verse 7. BSB/ESV 'self-controlled' overlaps with enkratēs at the end of the verse. NASB 'sensible' is closer to the 'sound judgment' side.

How it drifted

In 1611 'sober' had a broad meaning: sedate, moderate, of sound mind. It has since narrowed in common use to 'not intoxicated'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Central in Plato (Charmides is devoted to it) and Aristotle. In 4 Maccabees it is the reason that governs the passions. In Philo it is a key virtue. It was standard in Greco-Roman praise of officials and good wives. Onasander's first-century handbook on choosing a general opens its list of qualifications with sōphrona, enkratē, the same two words as this verse. In Titus the word family recurs again and again (1:8; 2:2, 4, 5, 6, 12).

Similar words

Where it appears

1 Timothy · 1

  1. 1 Timothy 3:2 σώφρονα, self-controlled,

    An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

    Here: The classic Greek virtue of a 'safe' or sound mind: moderate, sensible, master of his impulses. It is broader than resisting temptation. It means good judgement as a settled trait.

Titus · 3

  1. Titus 1:8 σώφρονα, self-controlled,

    Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

    Here: One of the classic Greek virtues: a sound, balanced mind that keeps its passions and opinions in proportion. It is a theme word of Titus, which applies it to old men, young women and young men alike (2:2–6, 12).

  2. Titus 2:2 σώφρονας, self-controlled,

    Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.

    Here: The great Greek virtue of a mind kept in balance: moderate, prudent, master of one's own appetites and moods. The same word family comes back again and again in this chapter (vv. 4, 5, 6, 12), so it is a key word for the whole passage.

  3. Titus 2:5 σώφρονας, self-controlled,

    to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

    Here: The great Greek virtue of a sound, well-governed mind. Said of a woman, it carried the strong extra sense of modesty and sexual propriety. It picks up the verb of v.4, 'train' (sōphronizō, 'make sound-minded'), and the same root runs through the whole chapter.

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