3525. néphó
Lexical Summary
néphó: To be sober, to be self-controlled, to be watchful

Original Word: νήφω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: néphó
Pronunciation: NAY-fo
Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-fo)
KJV: be sober, watch
NASB: sober, keep sober
Word Origin: [of uncertain affinity]

1. to be sober (to abstain from wine)
2. (figuratively) to be sensible, discreet (i.e. sober minded)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
to be sober, to abstain from wine

Of uncertain affinity: to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (figuratively) be discreet -- be sober, watch.

HELPS Word-studies

3525 nḗphō – properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free from illusion, i.e. from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.).

3525 /nḗphō ("be sober, unintoxicated") refers to having presence of mind (clear judgment), enabling someone to be temperate (self-controlled). 3525 /nḗphō ("uninfluenced by intoxicants") means to have "one's wits (faculties) about them," which is the opposite of being irrational.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
to be sober, to abstain from wine
NASB Translation
keep sober (1), sober (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3525: νήφω

νήφω; 1 aorist imperative 2 person plural νήψατε; from Theognis, Sophocles, Xenophon down; to be sober; in the N. T. everywhere tropically, to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect: 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 5:8; εἰς τάς προσευχάς, unto (the offering of) prayer, 1 Peter 4:7. (Synonym: see ἀγρυπνέω; and on the word see Ellicott on Timothy, the passage cited Compare: ἀνανήφω, ἐκνήφω.)

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Usage and Context

Strong’s 3525 appears six times in the New Testament, consistently urging believers to maintain spiritual sobriety in view of either present ministry demand or impending eschatological reality. Whether Paul addresses Timothy (“be sober in all things,” 2 Timothy 4:5), or calls the Thessalonian church to wakefulness (“let us remain awake and sober,” 1 Thessalonians 5:6), the verb joins alertness to self-restraint. Peter likewise frames every use within a setting of cosmic conflict or approaching consummation: “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8).

Major Theological Themes

1. Moral Clarity. Sobriety anchors ethical living in a world darkened by spiritual lethargy (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
2. Hope-Driven Readiness. “Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you” (1 Peter 1:13) links sobriety to future-oriented confidence, guarding believers from despair or distraction.
3. Perseverance in Ministry. Paul’s charge to Timothy couples sobriety with endurance, evangelism, and ministry fulfillment (2 Timothy 4:5). Self-possession is thus prerequisite for faithful service.

Connection with Watchfulness and Eschatology

The verb often stands beside terms for “watch,” “pray,” or references to “the day.” Peter’s warning that “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray” (1 Peter 4:7) echoes Christ’s Olivet exhortations (Matthew 24:42). Sobriety therefore functions as the believer’s posture between the “already” of Christ’s resurrection and the “not yet” of His return.

Relationship to Spiritual Warfare

1 Peter 5:8 explicitly situates sobriety in battle against the devil. Alert self-command preserves the mind from deception, panic, or indulgence, enabling timely resistance (compare Ephesians 6:10-17). Without sobriety, armor is laid aside and prayer neglected.

Historical Background and Greco-Roman Setting

In first-century culture, literal intoxication and the revelry tied to pagan festivals symbolized societal decadence. Early Christians, often slandered as antisocial, embodied an alternative community marked by moderation. Their call to be νήφοντες distinguished them from surrounding excess and affirmed loyalty to the coming King rather than to Caesar’s banquets or Dionysian rites.

Pastoral and Discipleship Implications

• Discernment: sober minds sift teaching and cultural trends (1 John 4:1).
• Emotional Stability: pastoral leaders demonstrate calm under trial, modeling 2 Timothy 4:5 for congregations facing persecution or loss.
• Balanced Piety: sobriety guards against ascetic extremes on one side and licentious freedom on the other, maintaining joyful yet disciplined devotion.

Echoes in Early Church History

Second-century apologists such as Athenagoras defended Christian sobriety as evidence of the Spirit’s sanctifying power. Monastic rules later institutionalized vigil-keeping, seeing continuous prayer as a practical outworking of νήφω. Reformers likewise emphasized the word’s relevance to watchfulness against doctrinal error.

Contemporary Application

Modern disciples encounter digital distraction, substance abuse, and ideological seductions. The New Testament summons to be νήφοντες still rescues believers from the numbing effect of consumer culture. Churches cultivate such sobriety by:
• regular exposition of prophetic hope,
• corporate prayer vigils,
• accountability structures that confront addictive behaviors,
• and gospel mission that channels focused energy toward evangelism, echoing “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5).

In every age, the Spirit employs νήφω to shape a community that is awake, disciplined, and eagerly awaiting the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
νηφε νήφε νῆφε νηφοντες νήφοντες νηφωμεν νήφωμεν νηψατε νήψατε nephe nêphe nēphe nē̂phe nephomen nēphōmen nḗphomen nḗphōmen nephontes nēphontes nḗphontes nepsate nēpsate nḗpsate
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Thessalonians 5:6 V-PSA-1P
GRK: γρηγορῶμεν καὶ νήφωμεν
NAS: do, but let us be alert and sober.
KJV: let us watch and be sober.
INT: we should watch and we should be sober

1 Thessalonians 5:8 V-PSA-1P
GRK: ἡμέρας ὄντες νήφωμεν ἐνδυσάμενοι θώρακα
NAS: But since we are of [the] day, let us be sober, having put
KJV: of the day, be sober, putting on
INT: of day being should be sober having put on [the] breastplate

2 Timothy 4:5 V-PMA-2S
GRK: σὺ δὲ νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν
NAS: But you, be sober in all things,
KJV: But watch thou in
INT: you moreover be sober in all things

1 Peter 1:13 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: διανοίας ὑμῶν νήφοντες τελείως ἐλπίσατε
NAS: your minds for action, keep sober [in spirit], fix your hope
KJV: mind, be sober, and hope
INT: mind of you being sober perfectly hope

1 Peter 4:7 V-AMA-2P
GRK: οὖν καὶ νήψατε εἰς προσευχάς
NAS: be of sound judgment and sober [spirit] for the purpose of prayer.
KJV: sober, and watch unto prayer.
INT: therefore and be watchful unto prayers

1 Peter 5:8 V-AMA-2P
GRK: Νήψατε γρηγορήσατε ὁ
NAS: Be of sober [spirit], be on the alert.
KJV: Be sober, be vigilant; because
INT: Be sober watch the

Strong's Greek 3525
6 Occurrences


νῆφε — 1 Occ.
νήφωμεν — 2 Occ.
νήφοντες — 1 Occ.
νήψατε — 2 Occ.

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