ἀκρασία

incontinence, intemperance, lack of restraint

Definition

ἀκρασία refers to a lack of self-control or restraint, specifically the inability to master one's desires and passions. In the New Testament, it carries the sense of moral weakness or intemperance, particularly in areas of physical appetite and sexual desire. In Matthew 23:25, Jesus uses it metaphorically to describe the Pharisees' inner moral corruption—they are clean on the outside but full of 'greed and self-indulgence' (ἀκρασίας). In 1 Corinthians 7:5, Paul warns married couples not to deprive one another sexually, lest they be tempted due to their 'lack of self-control' (ἀκρασία).

Biblical Usage

This word appears only twice in the New Testament, in two distinct contexts. In Matthew 23:25, it is used in a list of vices describing hypocrisy and inner moral filth. In 1 Corinthians 7:5, it is used in a practical, pastoral context concerning marital relations and the danger of temptation. Both uses highlight a failure of inner governance over desires.

Etymology

Derived from the alpha-privative ἀ- (meaning 'not' or 'without') and κρᾶσις (krasis, meaning 'mixture,' 'temperament,' or 'proper blending'). Literally, it means 'without proper mixture' or 'lack of temperance,' implying a state where one's passions are not properly blended or governed by reason and will.

Semantic Range

ἀκρασία is theologically significant as it describes a fundamental human condition of moral weakness, contrasting with the fruit of the Spirit, self-control (ἐγκράτεια, G1466). It underscores the need for divine grace and the Spirit's power to overcome innate human propensity toward sin and undisciplined desire. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the biblical call to holistic integrity, where outward piety must match inner mastery.

In the Greco-Roman world, self-control (ἐγκράτεια) was a prized virtue in many philosophical schools (e.g., Stoicism). ἀκρασία, its opposite, was seen as a vice and a sign of a disordered soul. The New Testament adopts this ethical concept but places it within a framework of reliance on God's Spirit rather than mere human willpower.

ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia, G766) — denotes licentiousness or reckless abandonment, often more overt and shameless than ἀκρασία. ἀκρασία focuses more on the internal lack of restraint.

Word Details

Scripture References