Self Control In Egkrateia

The discipline of self-control is described in the second book of Peter (1:6) along with other qualities that encourage Peter’s audience to be fruitful followers of Christ. Self-control is defined from a dictionary reference as “restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires” (“Self-control”). Self-control may sometimes be a response to temptation, but “from the habit of self-control springs perseverance” which allows Christians to withstand Satan’s temptations and temptations of the flesh (Green 78). In the Bible, many people were tempted and many gave into their temptations but there are some examples of characters who exercised self-control. In society, self-control of one’s emotions is not encouraged while unhindered

Its root meaning is to “master, control, restrain” (“2 Peter 1). This word egkrateia was “a common Hellenistic virtue…which refers to ‘restraint of one’s emotions, impulses, or desires…” (David 48). It was highly prized in Greek moral philosophy, “It meant controlling the passions instead of being controlled by them” (Green 77). This word was not commonly used in the New Testament however, it was used in Galatians 5:23. In Galatians, Paul introduced his followers to the fruits of the Spirit and he told them that they would find freedom in serving one another. His message was to deny the flesh and walk by the Spirit. This message from Galatians is similar to the message of 2 Peter 1:16 because they both discussed leaving sinful nature behind to pursue

However, the Bible also gives us examples of people who put to death their worldly passions and pursue righteousness through the discipline of self-control. In the Old Testament, a man named David was chosen to be king during the reign of King Saul. King Saul was jealous of David and wanted him dead so he searched for David in order to kill him. On one particular outing of Saul and his men who were searching to kill David there arose a certain opportunity for David to kill Saul. Saul was in cave and was very vulnerable while David was also deeper inside the cave. David’s men encouraged him to kill Saul saying, “Here is the day the Lord said to you, ‘Behold I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him what seems good to you’” (1 Samuel 24:4). Although, David was tempted to kill Saul because Saul had been hunting him, instead he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe. David’s men were astounded by this action and David responded to them “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:6). After Saul was no longer vulnerable David came to him and showed him the piece of Saul’s robe that he had cut off. He paid homage to Saul and wanted to prove to Saul that he wanted no harm to come to him. Although Saul would again hunt David, he felt at that point grateful for his life. David was an example of someone who was disciplined in