What does σωφρονέω · νήφω mean in the Bible?
σωφρονέω · νήφω is a Greek phrase meaning "sound-minded, sober, clear-headed".
Greek · G4993, G3525
σωφρονέω / νήφω
Be of sound mind · be sober
Reading a lexicon entry
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
σωφρονέωG4993be of sound mind
Pronunciationsōphronéō
Rational self-control exercised in mind and behavior, rejecting both ecstatic excess and arrogant overestimation.
Open lexicon entry →νήφωG3525be sober
Pronunciationnḗphō
Moral and spiritual alertness; mental clarity for discernment, not mere physical sobriety from wine.
Open lexicon entry →What does σωφρονέω / νήφω (sōphroneō / nēphō) mean in the Bible?
σωφρονέω · νήφω is a Greek phrase meaning "sound-minded, sober, clear-headed".
Full entry for σωφρονέω / νήφω (G4993, G3525) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G4993, G3525?
G4993, G3525 is connected to 6 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. sound-minded, sober, clear-headed
Source Gloss
sound-minded, sober, clear-headed
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups4Aligned forms6TensesPresent, AoristVoicesActive
Tenses
Voices
Participleverbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality2×
Present ActiveMark 5:15 · Luke 8:352×
Infinitiveverbal noun — the action in abstract2×
Present ActiveRom 12:3 · Titus 2:62×
Indicativestates a fact or reality1×
Present Active2 Cor 5:131×
Imperativecommand or strong request1×
Aorist Active1 Pet 4:71×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 5 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present5
Voice
active5
Mood
participle2infinitive2indicative1
NT Occurrences
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Origins
σωφρονέω / νήφω is built from this root: