Word Study for G4995 (σωφρονισμός)

sōphronismós /so-fron-is-mos'/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom σωφρονίζω

Meaningdiscipline, i.e. self-control

KJV usagesound mind.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of sōphronismós — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word sōphronismós, represented by G4995, defines discipline or self-control. It appears just 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its singular usage points to the specific concept of having a sound mind.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its sole biblical appearance, G4995 is presented as a characteristic of the spirit given by God. The verse states that God has not given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7. This positions the term as a divine provision, standing in direct contrast to fear.

Related Words & Concepts

The meaning of G4995 is illuminated by the other words it is paired with in its only scriptural context:

G1411 dýnamis: from δύναμαι; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work. The gospel is described as the power of God Romans 1:16.
G26 agápē: from ἀγαπάω; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love. It is listed as a primary fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4995 is concentrated in its single appearance, where it establishes several key principles:

A Divine Gift: A sound mind, or self-control, is not presented as a human achievement but as a gift from God, part of the spirit He gives to believers 2 Timothy 1:7.
The Antidote to Fear: The context explicitly frames a sound mind, along with power and love, as the God-given counter to a spirit of fear.
An Essential Triad: G4995 does not stand alone but is part of a package. The spirit from God is a composite of power G1411, love G26, and a sound mind, each tempering and completing the others.

Summary

In summary, G4995 offers a concise yet powerful concept. Though used only once, its placement in 2 Timothy 1:7 is highly significant. It defines a sound mind not as mere intellectual capacity, but as a divinely imparted discipline and self-control that, together with power and love, overcomes the spirit of fear.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Genitive Singular Masculine 1×

Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in 2 Timothy — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.