Original Word: σωφρονισμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: sóphronismos
Pronunciation: so-fro-nee-SMOS
Phonetic Spelling: (so-fron-is-mos')
KJV: sound mind
NASB: discipline
Word Origin: [from G4994 (σωφρονίζω - encourage)]

1. discipline, i.e. self-control

sound mind.

From sophronizo; discipline, i.e. Self-control -- sound mind.

see GREEK sophronizo

Cognate: 4995 (a masculine noun derived from 4998 /sṓphrōn, "truly moderate") – properly, safe-minded, issuing in prudent ("sensible") behavior that "fits" a situation, i.e. aptly acting out God's will by doing what He calls sound reasoning (used only in 2 Tim 1:7). See 4998 (sōphrōn).

Word Origin
from sóphronizó
Definition
self-control
NASB Translation
discipline (1).

STRONGS NT 4995: σωφρονισμός

σωφρονισμός, σωφρονισμοῦ, ὁ ((σωφρονίζω);

1. an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control: Josephus, Antiquities 17, 9, 2; b. j. 2, 1,3; Appendix, Pun. 8, 65; Aesop fab. 38; Plutarch; (Philo, legg. alleg. 3, 69).

2. self-control, moderation (σωφρονισμοι τινες ἤ μετανοιαι τῶν νέων, Plutarch, mor., p. 712 c. i. e. quaest. conviv. 8, 3): πνεῦμα σωφρονισμοῦ, 2 Timothy 1:7, where see Huther; (but Huther, at least in his later editions, takes the word transitively, equivalent to correction (R. V. discipline); see also Holtzmann at the passage).

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4995 speaks of that sound-minded, disciplined inner posture that resists panic, aligns thought with truth, and orders behavior toward holiness. Rather than a mere human temperament, Scripture presents it as a grace imparted by God’s Spirit, enabling believers to live courageously and responsibly in the face of opposition.

Biblical Occurrence

2 Timothy 1:7 is the sole New Testament occurrence: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” (Berean Standard Bible). Paul addresses Timothy, a young pastor confronting persecution and potential timidity. By pairing self-control with power and love, Paul highlights a three-fold provision of the Spirit that equips church leaders to serve without shrinking back or lapsing into harshness.

Context within the Pastoral Epistles

In 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8 elders are required to be “self-controlled,” though another Greek term is used. Paul repeatedly returns to the theme: ministry credibility rests on disciplined thinking and living. Thus, the single appearance of Strong’s 4995 functions as a theological anchor for the broader call to sobriety that permeates the Pastoral Epistles.

Relationship to Other Biblical Concepts

• Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22 includes self-control, showing its Spirit-produced nature.
• Renewed mind: Romans 12:2 links transformed living to renewed thinking, parallel to the “sound mind” implied in 2 Timothy 1:7.
• Watchfulness: 1 Peter 4:7 exhorts believers to be “clear-minded and sober so that you can pray,” indicating that disciplined thought fuels effective communion with God.

While different Greek terms appear, the overlapping idea is Spirit-enabled mastery over impulses and fears so that love and obedience prevail.

Historical Understanding in the Early Church

Early Christian writers cited 2 Timothy 1:7 when addressing martyrdom and ascetic discipline. Ignatius urged believers to face lions with “fearless self-possession.” Later, Athanasius pointed to the verse when defending Trinitarian orthodoxy, arguing that only the indwelling Spirit could grant the calm certainty exhibited by confessors under duress. Monastic rules, such as that of Benedict, treated self-discipline as evidence of grace rather than human ascetic achievement, echoing Paul’s Spirit-centric emphasis.

Theological Significance

1. Source: The trait flows “from God,” underscoring divine initiative in sanctification.
2. Integration: It balances power (preventing reckless zeal) and love (preventing cold rigidity).
3. Antidote to Fear: Fear disorients and paralyzes; Spirit-given discipline steadies the believer to act in faith.
4. Eschatological Witness: By remaining composed amid trials, the church testifies that the gospel produces a qualitatively different life.

Pastoral and Discipleship Applications

• Leadership Formation: Churches should pray for and cultivate leaders whose decisions arise from Word-shaped reasoning rather than impulse or intimidation.
• Counseling: Believers struggling with anxiety can claim 2 Timothy 1:7, grounding reassurance not in personal resolve but in the Spirit’s promise.
• Spiritual Practices: Regular Scripture meditation, prayer, and accountability groups serve as means by which the Spirit nurtures a disciplined mind.
• Teaching on Fear: Pastors can contrast worldly fear with godly reverence, showing that self-control channels courage toward Christ-exalting ends.

Implications for Mission and Spiritual Warfare

Mission often places Christians before hostile audiences (Acts 4:13). Spirit-given discipline enables clear proclamation without compromise. In spiritual warfare language (Ephesians 6:10-18), the believer’s “helm of salvation” protects the mind; Strong’s 4995 describes the functional outworking of that protection—steadfast mental composure when fiery darts fly.

Practical Hallmarks of Spirit-Empowered Self-Control

1. Measured speech (James 1:19).
2. Orderly priorities (Matthew 6:33).
3. Emotional stability that rests on God’s sovereignty (Philippians 4:6-7).
4. Moral consistency when no human eye observes (Psalm 139:1–3).

Summary

Though appearing only once, Strong’s Greek 4995 encapsulates a vital aspect of Christian life: a Spirit-wrought equilibrium that liberates believers from fear, empowers loving action, and sustains persevering witness. As the church embraces this gift, it reflects the disciplined, fearless mind of Christ amid an unsettled world.

σωφρονισμου σωφρονισμοῦ σωφρονισμόυ sophronismou sophronismoû sōphronismou sōphronismoûInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts