4997. sóphrosuné

Strong's Lexicon

sóphrosuné: Soundness of mind, self-control, temperance, moderation

Original Word: σωφροσύνη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: sóphrosuné
Pronunciation: so-fro-soo'-nay
Phonetic Spelling: (so-fros-oo'-nay)
Definition: Soundness of mind, self-control, temperance, moderation
Meaning: soundness of mind, sanity; self-control, sobriety.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root words σῶς (sōs, meaning "safe" or "sound") and φρήν (phrēn, meaning "mind" or "understanding").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "sóphrosuné," the concept is akin to the Hebrew idea of "חָכְמָה" (chokmah, Strong's H2451), which means wisdom, often implying a sense of prudence and self-control.

Usage: The term "sóphrosuné" in the New Testament context refers to a state of soundness of mind, self-control, and moderation. It embodies the idea of having a disciplined mind and behavior, reflecting a balanced and prudent approach to life. This virtue is often associated with moral integrity and the ability to govern one's desires and actions in accordance with God's will.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, "sóphrosuné" was highly valued as a cardinal virtue, representing the ideal of self-restraint and rational control over one's passions. It was considered essential for personal and societal harmony. In the New Testament, this concept is elevated to a spiritual virtue, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's thoughts and actions with the teachings of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 4997 sōphrosýnē (a feminine noun derived from 4998 /sṓphrōn, "truly moderate") – moderation as fitting a particular application (situation). See 4998 (sōphrōn).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from sóphrón
Definition
soundness of mind, self-control
NASB Translation
discreetly (1), self-restraint (1), sober (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4997: σωφροσύνη

σωφροσύνη, σωφροσύνης, ἡ (σώφρων), fr; Homer (where σαοφροσυνη) down;

a. soundness of mind (opposed to μανία, Xenophon, mem. 1, 1, 16; Plato, Prot., p. 323 b.): ῤήματα σωφροσύνης, words of sanity (A. V. soberness), Acts 26:25.

b. self-control, sobriety (ea virtus, cujus propriam est, motus animi appetentes regere et sedare semperque adversantem libidini moderntam in omni re servare constantiam, Cicero, Tusc. 3, 8, 17; ἡ σωφροσύνη ἐστι καί ἡδονῶν τινων καί ἐπιθυμιῶν ἐγκράτεια, Plato, rep. 4, 430 e.; cf. Phaedo, p. 68 c.; sympos., p. 196c.; (Diogenes Laërtius 3, 91; 4 Macc. 1:31; σωφροσύνη δέ ἀρετή δἰ ἥν πρός τάς ἡδονάς τοῦ σώματος οὕτως ἔχουσιν ὡς ὁ νόμος κελευει, ἀκολασία δέ τοὐναντίον, Aristotle, rhet. 1, 9, 9): 1 Timothy 2:15; joined with αἰδώς (as in Xenophon, Cyril 8, 1, 30f) ibid. 9; (cf. Trench, N. T. Synonyms, § xx., and see αἰδώς).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

soberness, sobriety.

From sophron; soundness of mind, i.e. (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self-control -- soberness, sobriety.

see GREEK sophron

Forms and Transliterations

σωφροσυνης σωφροσύνης sophrosunes sōphrosunēs sophrosynes sophrosýnes sōphrosynēs sōphrosýnēs

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 26:25 N-GFS
GRK: ἀληθείας καὶ σωφροσύνης ῥήματα ἀποφθέγγομαι
NAS: but I utter words of sober truth.
KJV: of truth and soberness.
INT: truth and rational words I utter

1 Timothy 2:9 N-GFS
GRK: αἰδοῦς καὶ σωφροσύνης κοσμεῖν ἑαυτάς
NAS: modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair
KJV: shamefacedness and sobriety; not with
INT: modesty and self-control should adorn themselves

1 Timothy 2:15 N-GFS
GRK: ἁγιασμῷ μετὰ σωφροσύνης
NAS: and sanctity with self-restraint.
KJV: holiness with sobriety.
INT: sanctification with self-restraint

Strong's Greek 4997
3 Occurrences

σωφροσύνης — 3 Occ.