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G192 · Greek · New Testament
ἀκρασία
akrasia
Noun, feminine
lack of self-control, intemperance

Definition

Akrasia (G192) is the opposite of enkrateia (self-control, G1466). The word means literally 'without power over oneself.' Jesus uses it in his list of things that defile, warning against hypocrites who are inwardly full of akrasia (Matthew 23:25). Paul mentions it in 1 Corinthians 7:5 as a vulnerability to sexual immorality if couples abstain too long.

Usage & Theological Significance

Akrasia is the Achilles' heel of the moral life. Aristotle devoted significant attention to it — the person who knows what is right but cannot control themselves to do it. Scripture agrees: the fallen nature lacks self-restraint. The Spirit's fruit includes enkrateia (self-control, Galatians 5:23) as the divine solution. Self-control is a gift of the Spirit, not merely a human virtue to cultivate.

Key Bible Verses

Matthew 23:25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence [akrasias].
1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control [akrasia].
Galatians 5:23 gentleness, self-control [enkrateia]; against such things there is no law.
Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
2 Peter 1:6 and knowledge with self-control [enkrateian], and self-control with steadfastness.

Related Words

External Resources

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