Quick Definition
ἐγκράτεια, ας, ἡ n.f. self-mastery, self-control
Strong's Definition
from 1468; self-control (especially continence)
KJV Usage: temperance
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, f. | -ας | κραταιόομαι
88.83 · Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior · Self-Control, Lack of Self-Control
to control oneself, to exercise self-control, self-control to exercise complete control over one’s desires and actions An adequate rendering of the expression ‘to exercise self-control’ may require an idiomatic equivalent, for example, ‘to hold oneself in,’ ‘to command oneself,’ ‘to be a chief of oneself,’ ‘to make one’s heart be obedient,’ ‘to command one’s own desires,’ ‘to be the master of what one wants,’ or ‘to say No to one’s body.’ (Compare ἀκρασία ‘lack of self-control,’ 88.91, and ἀκρατής ‘lacking in self-control,’ 88.92.)
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐγκράτεια [see ev, III. 3], -as, ἡ, (ἐγκρατής), self-control, Lat. continentia, temperantia, (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites): Acts xxiv. 25; Gal. v. 23 (22); 2 Pet. i. 6. (Xen., Plat., sqq.; Sir. xviii. 29; 4 Mace. v. 34.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐγκράτεια enkrateia 4x
self-control, continence, temperance, Acts 24:25; Gal. 4:23; 2 Pet. 1:6*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
** ἐγκράτεια, -ας, ἡ (< ἐγκρατής),
[in LXX: Si 18:15, 30 IV Mac 5:34 * ;]
prop., mastery, control.
(sc. ἑαθτοῦ) self-control: Ac 24:25, Ga 5:23, II Pe 1:6 (v. DB, iv, 558b 695a; Page on Ac, l.c.).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐγκράτεια. In the important Imperial edict, P Fay 20, which is probably to be assigned to Julian (see Arch ii. p. 169) rather than to Alexander Severus, the Emperor claims to be an example to all governors, in view of the fact that he administers the affairs of the Empire—*! μετὰ τοσαύτης κοσμιότητος Kal σωφροσύνης Kal ἐγκρατείας. See also Vett. Valens p. 3552" διὰ τῆς ἰδίας ἐγκρατείας ἀκηρύκτως καὶ κοσμίως τὸ τέλος τοῦ βίου ὑποίσει. Ramsay Luke, p. 360 ἢ. cites an interesting ἵν} Ὰ.1). Lycaonian inscription in honour of a presbyter, who is described as ὃ év]kpatins 0 διάκονος, ‘*the minister of continence,” while his wife is 15 πιστὴν évkpatins οἰκονόμον, “ἃ trusty dispenser of continence.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἐγκράτεια (egkrateia) — self-control. ἐγκράτ-εια [ρᾰ], ἡ, mastery over, ἐ. ἑαυτοῦ self-control, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐ. ἡδονῶν καὶ ἐπιθυμιῶν control over them,[Refs 5th c.BC+]
II. absolutely, self-control, [NT+5th c.BC+]