ἐγκρατεύομαι (G1467) — Greek Lexicon

ἐγκρατεύομαι

enkrateúomai

G1467 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To exercise self-control or restraint over one's impulses, appetites, or desires; to practice self-mastery. In different contexts, can denote self-control particularly in relation to bodily desires (such as diet, sexual activity), but also broadly refers to general moderation and self-discipline. The term often emphasizes an active, intentional mastery or governance of the self.

Semantic Range

to exercise self-control, to be self-disciplined, to have mastery over one's impulses, to restrain oneself (especially in bodily desires), to live temperately or moderately

Root / Etymology

From ἐγκρατής (having power or control over oneself), which is formed from ἐν ('in, within') + κρατέω ('to have power, to be strong'). Thus, the sense is 'to hold power within oneself' or 'to be inwardly strong.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in classical Greek, ἐγκρατεύομαι was employed in ethical philosophy (notably by Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics) to describe the virtuous practice of self-mastery, especially in relation to desires and passions. In Hellenistic contexts, it held a positive moral valuation, signifying the power to govern one’s own impulses. In the Septuagint, it is rare but carries a similar ethical nuance. In the New Testament, its usage aligns with Greco-Roman philosophical ideals of self-control as a virtue and is often mentioned as a component of moral or spiritual discipline, applicable to both the restraint of bodily appetites (e.g., diet, sexuality) and the broader sense of sober, disciplined living. English translations often limit the sense to 'temperance' or 'self-control,' but the term encompasses a wide range of intentional self-governance, going beyond only abstinence to include positive mastery of self.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from ἐγκρατής; to exercise self-restraint (in diet and chastity):--can(-not) contain, be temperate.

Root Family

ἐγκρατεύομαι (enkrateuomai) — to have power over oneself, to control oneself, to be strong over impulses, to exercise self-mastery

Root ἐγκρατ- to have power over, to control oneself, to be strong over impulses

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1467-02`	ἐνκρατεύονται	enkrateuontai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	have self-control	they are controlling themselves	they have self-control	1
`G1467-01`	ἐγκρατεύεται	egkrateuetai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`	exercises self-control	controls oneself	controls oneself	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1467-02`	1 Corinthians 7:9	ἐνκρατεύονται	enkrateuontai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	have self-control	they are controlling themselves	they have self-control
`G1467-01`	1 Corinthians 9:25	ἐγκρατεύεται	egkrateuetai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`	exercises self-control	controls oneself	controls oneself

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