Pronunciation Guide: ah-krah-SEE-ah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G192: ἀκρασία (akrasia) refers to the lack of self-control or self-restraint, particularly in matters of moral behavior and sensual desires. It describes a state where one’s appetites and desires override their better judgment, leading to excess and self-indulgence. This word paints a picture of someone who knows what is right but lacks the self-discipline to follow through.

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Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Feminine noun
• Root Word: From ἀκρατής (akratēs, “without power, lacking self-control”)
• Compound Word: Formed from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + κράτος (kratos, “power, strength”)
• Primary Usage: Found in teaching passages addressing moral behavior
• Literary Context: Appears in direct discourse and ethical instruction

ἀκρασία Morphology:

• ἀκρασία (nominative singular) – lack of self-control
• ἀκρασίας (genitive singular) – of lack of self-control
• ἀκρασίᾳ (dative singular) – in/with lack of self-control

Origin & History

The concept of ἀκρασία has a rich history in Greek philosophical thought, particularly in the works of Aristotle. In his “Nicomachean Ethics,” Aristotle discusses akrasia as a moral weakness where someone acts against their better judgment, knowing what is right but failing to do it. This philosophical understanding deeply influenced its usage in Hellenistic literature.

The term was widely used in moral discourse throughout classical Greek literature. Plato, in his “Republic,” uses the concept to discuss the relationship between knowledge and virtue, questioning how someone could know what is right yet fail to do it. This philosophical backdrop enriches our understanding of how the New Testament authors employed the term.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Lack of self-control or self-restraint in moral matters
• Inability to control one’s appetites and desires
• Moral weakness leading to self-indulgence
• State of being mastered by one’s desires rather than mastering them

ἀκρασία Translation Options:

• “Lack of self-control” – Best captures the idea of moral weakness
• “Self-indulgence” – Emphasizes the resulting behavior
• “Intemperance” – Formal equivalent highlighting the lack of moderation
• “Unrestrained behavior” – Dynamic equivalent showing the practical manifestation

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀκρασία appears in contexts addressing moral behavior and religious hypocrisy. The term is particularly powerful in Matthew 23:25, where our Messiah uses it to expose the religious leaders’ outward righteousness masking inner moral corruption. The word choice suggests that these leaders knew better but chose to indulge their desires anyway.

The word’s rarity in the New Testament (appearing only twice) makes its usage particularly significant. In 1 Corinthians 7:5, Paul employs it to warn about the dangers of extended marital abstinence, recognizing human weakness in self-control.

• “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and lack of self-control [ἀκρασίας].” Matthew 23:25
• “Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control [ἀκρασίαν].” 1 Corinthians 7:5

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, self-control was highly valued and considered a mark of spiritual maturity. The rabbinical writings frequently discussed the yetzer hara (evil inclination) and yetzer hatov (good inclination), teaching that true righteousness came from mastering one’s evil inclination through Torah study and obedience to God’s commands.

The concept of ἀκρασία would have resonated deeply with both Jewish and Greek audiences of the New Testament. For Jews, it connected to teachings about the yetzer hara, while Greeks would have recognized it from philosophical discussions about virtue and moral weakness. This dual cultural significance made it a particularly effective term for addressing moral failure in the diverse early Messianic communities.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀκρασία in Scripture reveals important truths about human nature and our need for Divine transformation. It shows that mere knowledge of right and wrong is insufficient for holy living – we need the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome our natural tendencies toward self-indulgence.

Our Messiah’s use of this term in Matthew 23 particularly reveals how religious performance without inner transformation leads to hypocrisy. The Pharisees’ ἀκρασία demonstrates that external ritual without heart change ultimately results in moral failure, highlighting our desperate need for the new heart promised in Ezekiel 36:26.

This word also points to the transformative power of God’s grace. While ἀκρασία describes our natural state, the Gospel promises that through the Messiah and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can experience true self-control (ἐγκράτεια) as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23).

Personal Application

Understanding ἀκρασία challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where we might know what is right yet fail to do it. It calls us to honest self-reflection about the gap between our knowledge and our actions, reminding us that transformation requires more than mere knowledge – it requires submission to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

This word also offers hope, reminding us that God doesn’t just command self-control but provides the power to achieve it through His Spirit. When we struggle with ἀκρασία, we can turn to Him for the strength to overcome our weaknesses and live in victory.

Related Words

• ἐγκράτεια (enkrateia) [en-KRAH-tay-ah] – self-control, mastery over one’s desires and passions (positive counterpart to ἀκρασία) See G1466
• ἀκρατής (akratēs) [ah-krah-TACE] – without self-control, powerless over oneself See G193
• ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia) [ah-SEL-gay-ah] – sensuality, unbridled lust See G766
• σωφροσύνη (sōphrosynē) [so-fro-SU-nay] – soundness of mind, self-control, sobriety See G4997

Did you Know?

• The philosophical concept of ἀκρασία was so significant in ancient Greek thought that it became known as the “Socratic Problem” – how could someone know what is right yet choose to do wrong?
• Modern psychology has adopted the term “akrasia” to describe the state of acting against one’s better judgment, particularly in studies of addiction and behavioral economics.
• The rabbinic concept of yetzer hara (evil inclination) closely parallels the Greek understanding of ἀκρασία, showing how this moral struggle was recognized across ancient cultures.

Remember This

ἀκρασία reminds us that knowledge without Spirit-empowered transformation leads to moral failure, but through the Messiah, we can experience true self-control and victory over our natural tendencies.