ἀκρασία (G192) — Greek Lexicon

ἀκρασία

akrasía

G192 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Lack of self-control, inability to master or restrain one's appetites or impulses—especially concerning desires or passions. The word denotes a personal deficiency or weakness in exercising control over one's actions or feelings, particularly in moral, physical, or sexual matters. In philosophical and ethical contexts, it refers to a failure of will, acting against one's better judgment, or succumbing to excess despite knowing what is right.

Semantic Range

lack of self-control, incontinence (general or sexual), inability to restrain passions, moral weakness, excess, failure to act according to reason or conscience

Root / Etymology

From ἀκρατής (akrátēs, 'lacking power over oneself'), with -ία (-ia) forming an abstract noun. Root meaning is 'without power/mastery.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀκρασία appears already in Aristotle and Plato as a central ethical concept, commonly translated as 'incontinence' or 'lack of self-mastery.' In this philosophical context, it describes an internal conflict where a person acts contrary to reason or intention due to weakness of will. The term does not simply mean excess or indulgence, but specifically an inability to control one's impulses or desires. In the Septuagint and Koine usage, it retains this sense, often focused on moral or bodily appetites, including but not limited to sexual incontinence. In the New Testament (e.g., Matt 23:25, Gal 5:23, sometimes implied in vice lists), it is understood in contrast to ἐγκράτεια ('self-control,' 'temperance'). 'Incontinence' in older English versions narrowly refers to sexual matters, but ἀκρασία in Greek may cover a broader spectrum of uncontrolled behavior. The usage emphasizes personal moral agency and the social expectation of self-mastery in Greco-Roman moral discourse.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀκρατής; want of self-restraint:--excess, incontinency.

Root Family

ἀκρασία (akrasia) — lack of self-mastery, absence of self-control, moral weakness, incontinence

Root κρατ- to have power, to control, to rule

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G192-01`	ἀκρασίαν	akrasian	`N ACC F SG`	lack of self-control	lack of self-mastery	lack of self-control	1
`G192-02`	ἀκρασίας	akrasias	`N GEN F SG`	excess	of lack of self-mastery	lack of self-mastery	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G192-02`	Matthew 23:25	ἀκρασίας	akrasias	`N GEN F SG`	excess	of lack of self-mastery	lack of self-mastery
`G192-01`	1 Corinthians 7:5	ἀκρασίαν	akrasian	`N ACC F SG`	lack of self-control	lack of self-mastery	lack of self-control

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