G4995 – sophronismos – σωφρονισμός – a saved/delivered/redeemed mindset/instinct
- Strong’s ID:
- G4995
- Greek Word:
- σωφρονισμός
- Transliteration:
- sophronismos
- Pronunciation:
- so-fron-is-mos’
- Part of Speech:
- noun masculine
- Etymology:
- from G4994, therefore from the base of G4982 and that of G5424
- Usage Count:
- 1
- Search:
- Find “sophronismos” in the Bible (New Testament)
Equip God’s People Greek Lexicon
1) a saved/delivered/rescued/redeemed mindset
2) saved/delivered/rescued/redeemed instincts
Word Picture:
The classical and Koine Greek uses of the word “sophronismos” lean toward the concept of self-control, discipline, moderation, and other forms of self-regulation. However, consider the etymology of the word being from G4982 (meaning “to save/rescue/deliver/redeem”) and G5424 (meaning “a mindset, inclination, instinct”). “Sophronismos” could be better understood as “a saved mindset” or “redeemed instincts.”
This shifts from a focus on some sort of self control we muster up, to the Divine recalibration of our instinctual responses, restoring them to their intended purpose. It’s the transformative effect of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life, enabling them to reflect Christ-like moderation and self-discipline in a way that’s humanly unattainable. This doesn’t negate the idea of discipline, but it infuses it with grace.
Think of a person who was once lost at sea, now rescued and safely brought to shore. Their instincts, once survivalist and frantic, are now calm and measured, not because they mastered the sea, but because they were saved from it. “Sophronismos” ensures we’re not tossed by the winds of fear but are anchored in sanctified self-control.
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Strong’s Greek Lexicon
from G4994; discipline, i.e. self-control:—sound mind.
Owing to changes in the enumeration while in progress, there were no words left for numbers 2717 and 3203–3302, which were therefore silently dropped out of the vocabulary and references as redundant.
Thayer’s Greek Definitions
1) an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control
2) self-control, moderation
Thayer’s Definitions are as edited by the Online Bible of Winterbourne, Ontario. They removed the etymology, cross-references, and Greek phrases and changed some of Thayer’s Unitarian doctrinal positions concerning the work and person of Christ.