Self-Control

self-kon-trol' (egkrateia): Rendered in the King James Version "temperance" (compare Latin temperario and continentia), but more accurately "self-control," as in the Revised Version (British and American) (Ac 24:25; Ga 5:23; 2Pe 1:6); adjective of same, egkrates, "self-controlled" (Tit 1:8 the Revised Version (British and American)); compare verb forms in 1Co 7:9, "have .... continency"; 9:25, the athlete "exerciseth self-control." Self-control is therefore repeatedly set forth in the New Testament as among the important Christian virtues.

Definition

Self-control is the ability to control one’s behavior in order to avoid sinning.

• It refers to good behavior, that is, avoiding sinful thoughts, speech, and actions.
• Self-control is a fruit or characteristic that the Holy Spirit gives to Christians.
• A person who is using self-control is able to stop himself from doing something wrong that he may want to do. God is the one who enables a person to have self-control.

(See also: fruit, Holy Spirit)

Bible References

• 1 Corinthians 7:8-9
• 2 Peter 1:5-7
• 2 Timothy 3:1-4
• Galatians 5:23

Word Data

• Strong’s: H4623, H7307, G01920, G01930, G14660, G14670, G14680, G49970