08-2Tim1:7

2 Timothy 1:7

To compare translations, Greek words using  “Strongs Concordance” and Bibles such as: ESV, NKJV, KJV

The word:  “self-control” is translated in the ESV some 18 times taken from 9 different Greek words.

Each Greek word has a different connotation and know what the Greek Word really was is helpful in understanding the scripture text.

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) -7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.   In this case the Greek word used has the root meaning of “advice, prudence”  –

Looking at the ESV use of the word “Self-control” one sees the 9 different Greek words used for the English “self-control”

Looking at only the Greek word (pulled out section below) for “thoughtful, prudent”…..

READ the four verses and by inserting “thoughtful, prudent”  into where “self-controlled” is that it adds to the text.  Note the Strongs Dictionary description of the word:

1 Timothy 3:2 (ESV) –  Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

The Strongs #G4998 – 4998σώφρων[sophron /so·frone/] adj. From the base of 4982 and that of 5424; TDNT 7:1097; TDNTA 1150; GK 5409; Four occurrences; AV translates as “sober” twice, “temperate” once, and “discreet” once. 1of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses. 2curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate.^[1]

 Louw Nida LN88.94 – 88.94σώφρων,ον, gen. ονος; σωφρόνως: (derivatives of the stem σωφρο- ‘to behave in a sensible manner,’ 88.93) pertaining to being sensible and moderate in one’s behavior—‘sensible, sensibly, moderate, moderately.’

σώφρων: πρεσβύτας νηφαλίους εἶναι,σεμνούς,σώφρονας ‘the older men should be sober, proper, sensible’ Tt 2:2.

σωφρόνως: ἵνα… σωφρόνως καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ‘that … we may live sensibly, uprightly, and godly’ Tt 2:12.

In a number of languages terms such as σωφρονισμός^b(88.93), σωφροσύνη^b(88.93), σώφρων, and σωφρόνωςmay be rendered as ‘to have right thoughts about what one should do’ or ‘to let one’s mind guide one’s body.’^[2]

ONE more – Note the blue pull-out below and 3 verses involved.

This uses the Greek word for “Self-control”  (Note the bottom right.)

2 Peter 1:6 (ESV) –  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,

Strong G1466 – 1466ἐγκράτεια[egkrateia /eng·krat·i·ah/] n f. From 1468; TDNT 2:339; TDNTA 196; GK 1602; Four occurrences; AV translates as “temperance” four times. 1self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites).^[3]

LN 88.83 – 88.83ἐγκρατεύομαι; ἐγκράτεια,ας f: to exercise complete control over one’s desires and actions—‘to control oneself, to exercise self- control, self-control.’

ἐγκρατεύομαι: πᾶς δὲ ὁ ἀγωνιζόμενος πάντα ἐγκρατεύεται ‘everyone who competes in an athletic contest (or ‘in the games’) exercises self-control in all things’ 1 Cor 9:25.

ἐγκράτεια: διαλεγομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ περὶ δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐγκρατείας ‘he went on discussing goodness and the exercising of self-control’ Ac 24:25.

An adequate rendering of the expression ‘to exercise self-control’ may require an idiomatic equivalent, for example, ‘to hold oneself in,’ ‘to command oneself,’ ‘to be a chief of oneself,’ ‘to make one’s heart be obedient,’ ‘to command one’s own desires,’ ‘to be the master of what one wants,’ or ‘to say No to one’s body.’ (Compare ἀκρασία ‘lack of self-control,’ 88.91, and ἀκρατής ‘lacking in self- control,’ 88.92.)^[4]

The word “Steadfast” – Strongs G5281 – – 5281ὑπομονή[hupomone /hoop·om·on·ay/] n f. From 5278; TDNT 4:581; TDNTA 581; GK 5705; 32 occurrences; AV translates as “patience” 29 times, “enduring” once, “patient continuance” once, and “patient waiting” once. 1steadfastness, constancy, endurance. 1ain the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. 1bpatiently, and steadfastly. 2a patient, steadfast waiting for. 3a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance. Additional Information: For synonyms see entry 3115, makrothumia.See entry 5861 for comparison of synonyms.

USING the NKJV

2 Timothy 1:7  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Strongs –   4995σωφρονισμός[sophronismos /so·fron·is·mos/] n m. From 4994; TDNT 7:1104; TDNTA 1150; GK 5406; AV translates as “sound mind” once. 1an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control. 2self-control, moderation.

SAME Greek Strongs #G4995 used in ESV and NKJV  –  but translated “Sound Mind”

1 Timothy 3:2 (ESV) –  Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

1 Timothy 3:2 – (NKJV) –  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

Used G4998 as “Sober-minded” and G2887 as “Good Behavior”

The ESV

Strongs G2887– 2887κόσμιος,κοσμίως[kosmios /kos·mee·os/] adj. From 2889 (in its primary sense); TDNT 3:895; TDNTA 459; GK 3177 and 3178; Two occurrences; AV translates as “modest” once, and “of good behaviour” once. 1well arranged, seemly, modest.

The Strongs #G4998 – 4998σώφρων[sophron /so·frone/] adj. From the base of 4982 and that of 5424; TDNT 7:1097; TDNTA 1150; GK 5409; Four occurrences; AV translates as “sober” twice, “temperate” once, and “discreet” once. 1of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses. 2curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate.

The NKJV – switched words around – not wrong, just different as different translation teams decide on what is best to maintain the original text.

The KJV  –  1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; ^[5]

Uses the G4998 for “Sober” and G2887 for “Of good behavior”

With the NKJV one would see their use of G2887 and G4998 as “sober-minded” and “Good Behavior”