Original Word: σεαυτοῦ
Part of Speech: Reflexive Pronoun
Transliteration: seautou
Pronunciation: seh-ow-TOO
Phonetic Spelling: (seh-ow-too')
KJV: thee, thine own self, (thou) thy(-self)
NASB: yourself, own conviction, own self
Word Origin: [genitive case from G4571 (σέ - you) and G846 (αὐτός - himself), also dative case of the same, seautoi seh-ow-to', and accusative case seauton seh-ow-ton', likewise contracted sautou sow-too', sautoi sow-to', and sauton sow-ton', respectively]

1. of (with, to) thyself

of you

Genitive case from se and autos, also dative case of the same, seautoi seh-ow-to', and accusative case seauton seh-ow-ton', likewise contracted sautou (sow-too'), sautoi (sow-to'), and sauton (sow-ton'), respectively of (with, to) thyself -- thee, thine own self, (thou) thy(-self).

see GREEK se

see GREEK autos

4572 seautoú (from 4571 /sé, "you" and 846 /autós, "self") – properly, relating to yourself, as you bring the action (attention) back to (on) yourself.

Word Origin
refl. pronoun from su and autos
Definition
of (to, for) yourself
NASB Translation
own conviction (1), own self (1), yourself (38).

STRONGS NT 4572: σεαυτοῦ

σεαυτοῦ, σεαυτῆς, σεαυτοῦ, a reflexive pronoun of the 2nd person, used only in the genitive, dative, and accusative; in the N. T. only in the masculine; genitive (of) thyself (of) thee: John 8:13; John 18:34 L Tr WH; Acts 26:1; 2 Timothy 4:11; dative σεαυτῷ (to) thyself (to) thee: John 17:5; Acts 16:23; Romans 2:5; 1 Timothy 4:16; accusative σεαυτόν, thyself, thee: Matthew 4:6; Mark 12:31; Luke 4:23; John 8:53; Romans 14:22; Galatians 6:1; 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 2:8; etc. (Cf. Buttmann, § 127, 13.)

Reflexive Language and Personal Accountability

Strong’s Greek 4572 occurs where Scripture places the responsibility, danger, or blessing squarely upon the hearer’s own person. Whether the context is a command to love, an exhortation to holiness, or a warning against hypocrisy, the reflexive pronoun intensifies the call: the believer cannot shift the weight of obedience or consequence to another.

Love of Neighbor as Yourself

The Lord Jesus made 4572 central to the summary of the Law: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8). The reflexive pronoun guards the command from vague sentimentality; the measure of practical care for others is the concrete, experienced concern one already has for one’s own life. In the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10), the word underscores how true neighbor-love transcends ethnic and social barriers while remaining rooted in ordinary acts of self-preservation—binding wounds, providing shelter, footing the bill.

Warnings against Self-Righteousness and Hypocrisy

Paul places 4572 at the heart of his indictment of religious pride: “In passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself” (Romans 2:1). The teacher who instructs others must “teach yourself” (Romans 2:21). The reflexive terminology unmasks hypocrisy: outward religiosity that ignores inner obedience. Similar exposure appears in Romans 14:22, where the believer who flaunts personal liberty risks “condemn[ing] himself by what he approves.”

Mockery at the Cross and the Irony of Self-Salvation

The crowds at Calvary hurled the verb “save Yourself” (Matthew 27:40; Mark 15:30; Luke 23:37, 39). While they assumed self-preservation is paramount, the Gospel reveals that true salvation required Christ’s self-sacrifice. The reflexive pronoun thus frames a dramatic reversal: humanity’s instinct to rescue itself is powerless; only the crucified and risen Savior can save others—and, by design, He does not “save Himself” in that moment so He might save us.

Pastoral Exhortations to Guard and Train Oneself

Paul repeatedly uses 4572 in mentoring Timothy and Titus:
• “Train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).
• “Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16).
• “Keep yourself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22).
• “Present yourself to God as one approved” (2 Timothy 2:15).
• “Show yourself to be an example” (Titus 2:7).

The reflexive pronoun stresses disciplined vigilance. Ministry credibility flows from personal holiness; public teaching must be matched by private integrity.

Personal Care without Self-Indulgence

Acts supplies earthy examples. To the paralytic Aeneas, Peter says, “Make your bed for yourself” (Acts 9:34), marking the restoration of dignity and responsibility. When the Philippian jailer contemplates suicide, Paul cries, “Do not harm yourself” (Acts 16:28), illustrating compassionate intervention that values life. Both scenes balance self-care with reliance on divine grace.

Self-Examination in Restoration and Service

“Keep watch on yourself, lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1) and “Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me” (2 Timothy 4:11) place 4572 within community life. The mature believer examines personal vulnerability while seeking the usefulness of others, avoiding both self-absorption and careless exposure.

Christ’s Conscious Self-Reference

Jesus prays, “Glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed” (John 17:5). Though the form is second-person reflexive, the verse displays the Son’s awareness of His eternal identity. Unlike human self-focus that either exalts or castigates the ego, the Lord’s self-reference is perfectly aligned with the Father’s will and thus becomes the model of sanctified self-knowledge.

Ministry Significance Today

1. Discipleship begins with acknowledging personal responsibility before God; no one can obey, repent, believe, or persevere on another’s behalf.
2. Authentic love for others grows from rightly ordered self-regard: recognizing one’s own worth as an image-bearer without slipping into self-centeredness.
3. Leaders must cultivate inner life before public platform; the reflexive commands to Timothy remain the benchmark for Christian service.
4. Spiritual warfare includes guarding the heart from hypocrisy and unchecked liberty, lest one “store up wrath for yourself” (Romans 2:5).
5. Evangelism warns men who seek to “save themselves” through merit: only the crucified Christ saves, and the empty tomb vindicates His refusal to heed the mockers’ demand.

In every occurrence of 4572, Scripture turns the reader inward—not for self-worship, but for self-surrender to the God who alone can remake the self in righteousness and truth.

σαυτού σαυτώ σεαυτή σεαυτήν σεαυτής σεαυτον σεαυτόν σεαυτὸν σεαυτου σεαυτού σεαυτοῦ σεαυτω σεαυτώ σεαυτῷ seauto seautō seautôi seautō̂i seauton seautón seautòn seautou seautoûInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts