σωφρονισμός
sōphronismós
G4995 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Disposition or process of cultivating or maintaining self-control, moderation, or sound judgment; the state or quality of having a prudent, disciplined, and balanced mind or attitude. The term can refer to both the act of self-discipline and the resulting mental state characterized by moderation, rationality, and restraint. Often carries the nuance of exercising thoughtful self-restraint, prudence, or measured behavior in contrast to impulsiveness or excess.
Semantic Range
self-control, soundness of mind, prudence, moderation, discipline, rational and balanced judgment, corrective discipline
Root / Etymology
From the verb σωφρονίζω (to make of sound mind, to discipline, to admonish to moderation), itself from the adjective σώφρων (of sound mind, prudent, self-controlled). Root ultimately from σῶς (safe, sound) + φρήν (mind, understanding).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, σωφρονισμός appears rarely and typically denotes the act or process of making one self-controlled or prudent, that is, discipline or correction. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it denotes both the active discipline of cultivating self-control and the resulting state of mental sobriety and balanced judgment. In the New Testament (e.g., 2 Timothy 1:7), the term denotes an internal quality bestowed through divine empowerment but is not strictly a religious term; it corresponds to the admired Greco-Roman virtue of prudence or temperance. Standard English translations often render it as 'discipline,' 'self-control,' 'sound mind,' or 'sobriety of mind,' but none capture the full breadth. The word signifies not only the mental disposition but also the practical outcome of such a mindset—balanced actions and responses. It is distinct from other Greek words for self-mastery (e.g., ἐγκράτεια, self-control in desires) in that it emphasizes rational, prudent thought supervising behavior more broadly. In secular usage, could refer to the education or correction of youth towards well-balanced character, overlapping with the concept of practical wisdom (φρόνησις) and moderation (μέτριοτης).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σωφρονίζω; discipline, i.e. self-control:--sound mind.
Root Family
σωφρον- (sōphronéō) — to be of sound mind, to be self-controlled, to be moderate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4993 | σωφρονέω | to be of sound mind |
| G4994 | σωφρονίζω | they may instill self-control |
| G4996 | σωφρόνως | with sound mind |
| G4997 | σωφροσύνη | of sound-minded self-control |
| G4998 | σώφρων | a sound-minded man |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4995-01 |
σωφρονισμοῦ | sophronismou | N GEN M SG |
of self-control | of sound-minded discipline | of sound-minded discipline | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4995-01 |
2 Timothy 1:7 | σωφρονισμοῦ | sophronismou | N GEN M SG |
of self-control | of sound-minded discipline | of sound-minded discipline |