σωφροσύνη
sōphrosýnē
G4997 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Soundness of mind; a balanced, rational mindset characterized by self-restraint and moderation. In different contexts, σωφροσύνη refers to mental composure, prudent judgment, discretion, and moral self-mastery. It can denote sobriety of character, sensibleness, or a disciplined approach to life, especially in opposition to excess or emotional instability. In philosophical discussions, it expresses the virtue of temperance or moderation; in moral or ethical advice it refers specifically to self-control and proper conduct.
Semantic Range
soundness of mind, sanity, self-control, moderation, prudence, sensible judgment, temperance, moral sobriety, discretion
Root / Etymology
Derived from the adjective σώφρων (sōphrōn, 'of sound mind, prudent, self-controlled') with the abstract noun suffix -σύνη, signifying the state or quality of being. Thus, σωφροσύνη is the state of being σώφρων.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, σωφροσύνη is a foundational virtue—often paired with other ethical qualities like δικαιοσύνη (justice), ἀνδρεία (courage), and φρόνησις (practical wisdom)—and described by philosophers such as Plato as moderation or temperance, central to a well-ordered soul. In Hellenistic and Roman literature, the term expands to encompass sensible self-restraint in all aspects of life, including public conduct and private behavior. In the Septuagint, it translates various Hebrew terms for prudence and discretion, but import of the Greek philosophical virtue is often present. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 26:25; 1 Timothy 2:15), it carries the sense of rational sanity, prudent self-control, or moral sobriety. Traditional English renderings like 'sobriety' or 'soberness' partly capture the idea but sometimes obscure the extensive nuance of character, wisdom, and moderation the term bears in Greek usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σώφρων; soundness of mind, i.e. (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self-control:--soberness, sobriety.
Root Family
σωφροσύνη (sōphrosynē) — soundness of mind, self-control, moderation, prudence, temperance
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4997-01 |
σωφροσύνης | sophrosunes | N GEN F SG |
of sobriety | of sound-minded self-control | of sound-minded self-control | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4997-01 |
Acts 26:25 | σωφροσύνης | sophrosunes | N GEN F SG |
of sobriety | of sound-minded self-control | of sound-minded self-control |
G4997-01 |
1 Timothy 2:9 | σωφροσύνης | sophrosunes | N GEN F SG |
sobriety | of sound-minded self-control | sound-minded self-control |
G4997-01 |
1 Timothy 2:15 | σωφροσύνης | sophrosunes | N GEN F SG |
self-control | of sound-minded self-control | self-control |