Sober, Soberly, Soberminded
Sober, Soberly, Soberminded
denotes “of sound mind” (sozo, “to save,” phren, “the mind”); hence, “self-controlled, soberminded,” always rendered “sober-minded” in the RV; in 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8, AV, “sober;” in Tit 2:2, AV, “temperate;” in Tit 2:5, AV, “discreet.”
Note: For nephalios (akin to B, No. 1), translated “sober” in 1Ti 3:11; Tit 2:2, see TEMPERATE.
signifies “to be free from the influence of intoxicants;” in the NT, metaphorically, it does not in itself imply watchfulness, but is used in association with it, 1Th 5:6, 1Th 5:8; 2Ti 4:5; 1Pe 1:13; 1Pe 4:7, RV (AV, “watch”); 1Pe 5:8. Cp. eknepho and ananepho, under AWAKE, No. 3 and Note.
akin to A, is rendered “to think soberly,” Rom 12:3; “to be sober,” 2Co 5:13; “to be soberminded,” Tit 2:6; in 1Pe 4:7, AV “be ye sober” (RV, “of sound mind”); see MIND, B, No. 5.
denotes “to cause to be of sound mind, to recall to one’s senses;” in Tit 2:4, RV, it is rendered “they may train” (AV, “they may teach … to be sober,” marg., “wise”); “train” expresses the meaning more adequately; the training would involve the cultivation of sound judgment and prudence.
akin to A and B, Nos. 2 and 3, “soberly,” occurs in Tit 2:12; it suggests the exercise of that self-restraint that governs all passions and desires, enabling the believer to be conformed to the mind of Christ.
Note: For the phrase “to think soberly,” see B, No. 2.