Quick Definition
ἐγκρατεύομαι v. I exercise self-control
Strong's Definition
middle voice from 1468; to exercise self-restraint (in diet and chastity)
KJV Usage: can(-not) contain, be temperate
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | 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
ἐγκρατεύομαι [see ἐν, III. 3]; depon. mid.; to be 861}. controlled, continent (ἐγκρατής); to exhibit self-government, conduct one’s self temperately: [used absol. Gen. xliii. 30]; with dat. of respect, τῇ γλώσσῃ, Sir. xix. 6 var.; πάντα, in everything, every way, 1 Co. ix. 25 (ina figure drawn from athletes, who in preparing themselves for the games abstained from unwholesome food, wine, and sexual indulgence) ; οὐκ éyxparever Oa, said of those who cannot curb sexual desire, 1 Co. vii. 9. Though this word does not occur in the earlier Grk. writ. that have come down to us [exc. in Aristot.eth. Eudem. 2, 7 p. 1228", 13 ed. Bekk.], yet its use is approved of by Phrynichus ; cf. Lob. ad Phryn. p. 442; [W. 25].
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐγκρατεύομαι enkrateuomai 2x
to possess the power of self-control or continence, 1 Cor. 7:9; to practise abstinence, 1 Cor. 9:25*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἐγκρατεύομαι, depon.,
[in LXX for אפק, Ge 43:31, I Ki 13:12, Es 5:10 א 3 * ;]
to exercise self-control: I Co 7:9; c. acc., πάντα (v. Bl., 91), I Co 9:25.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐγκρατεύομαι. With the Christian inscription cited s.v. ἐγκράτεια τό fir. may be compared another inscription erected in honour of a certain Orestina ‘‘ who lived in continence ”’—évkpatevoraμένη (Ath. Mettheil., 1888, p. 272): see Ramsay Lethe, Ρ- 399 f. where ‘‘no extravagant asceticism” is thought to be implied in any of these terms.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἐγκρατεύομαι (egkrateuomai) — to self-control. ἐγκρατ-εύομαι, exercise self-control, [NT+4th c.BC+]; force oneself to do a thing, [LXX]; starve oneself, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
II. to be a member of the Encratite sect, Anatolian Studies [Refs]