G1468 Enkrates Self-controlled, temperate
<p>Enkratos: having mastery of oneself, of one's apetites, impulses, and drives.
Most often translated as self-controlled or temperate.</p>
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<i>Enkrates / enkratos</i>
From <i>en</i> + <i>kratos</i>
En: a preposition indicating position or instrumentality.
<i>Kratos</i>: strong, masterful.</p>
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Zodhiates' Complete Word Study Dictionary: "power, dominion, strength, government. Having power over, being master of. Used metaphorically, meaning self-control, continence (Titus 1.8). Synonyms: <i>nephalios</i> (Strongs G3524): sober, temperate; <i>sophron</i> (G4998), sober-minded. Antonyms: <i>akrate's</i> (G193): intemperate; <i>e'kdotos</i> (G1560): given over to; <i>sarkiko's</i> (G4559): fleshly, carnal; <i>philedonos</i> (G5369): lover of pleasure; <i>a'phron</i> (G878): mindless."</p>
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Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Kittel): "<i>Enkrates</i> means 'having power over all things and the self,' <i>Enkrateia</i> means 'dominion over the self or something,' with the nuances of 'steadfastness' and 'self-control' (opposite <i>akrasia</i>). <i>Enkrateusthai</i> means, 'to compose oneself.'
The term plays little role in the Bible. In the LXX it is found for 'restraint' only in such (apocryphal) passages as Sirach 18.30, Wis 8.21, and 4 Macc 5.34. It does not occur in the Gospels. Paul has it in 1 Cor 9.25 for athletic 'self-control' with a view, not to salvation, but to service. Closer to Hellenistic use is 1 Cor 7.9 where it means sexual self-control, yet here, too, there is no extolling of asceticism as though marital sex were wrong. The sparse use of this ethical term is due to three things: (1) for Christians life is directed by God's command, so that there is no place for autonomous self-mastery; (2) belief in creation excludes dualism, for all things are good as they come from God; and (3) salvation in Christ leaves no place for meriting salvation by asceticism."</p>
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