UBS Greek Dictionary Article

Form 1

Part of speech: verb

Related lemmas: ἀνανήφω · ἐκνήφω · νηφάλιος

Sense 1: to be sober-minded, to be well composed in mind

Semantic entry: 30.25

Semantic domains: Think

Subdomains: To Think, Thought

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of νήφω ‘to be sober, to not be drunk,’ probably not occurring in the NT; see 88.86: νήφω) to be in control of one’s thought processes and thus not be in danger of irrational thinking

Notes: It is also possible to understand νήφω in RV TH1 5:6 · LV TH1 5:6 · Read together TH1 5:6 as meaning ‘self-control,’ as a characteristic of moral behavior (see 88.86: νήφω).

TH1 5:6: RV TH1 5:6 · LV TH1 5:6 · Read together TH1 5:6

Show passage in OET

OET-RV TH1 5:6

6 so as a result, we won’t be sleeping like the others, but we’ll be alert and sober.

OET-LV TH1 5:6

6 Therefore consequently not we _may _be _sleeping as the rest, but we _may _be _watching and we _may _be _being _sober.

TH1 5:8: RV TH1 5:8 · LV TH1 5:8 · Read together TH1 5:8

Show passage in OET

OET-RV TH1 5:8

8 but we belong to the day. We’ll be dressed in the armour of faith and love, and the helmet which is the hope of our salvation.

OET-LV TH1 5:8

8 But we of_the_day being, may _be _being _sober, having _dressed _in the_breastplate of _faith and love, and the_helmet, the_hope of _salvation.

All 5 recorded passages for this sense

TH1: RV TH1 5:6 · RV TH1 5:8 · LV TH1 5:6 · LV TH1 5:8 · Read together TH1 5:6 · Read together TH1 5:8

PE1: RV PE1 1:13 · RV PE1 4:7 · RV PE1 5:8 · LV PE1 1:13 · LV PE1 4:7 · LV PE1 5:8 · Read together PE1 1:13 · Read together PE1 4:7 · Read together PE1 5:8

Sense 2: to be self-controlled, to be restrained, to be moderate in one’s behavior, to be sober

Semantic entry: 88.86

Semantic domains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior

Subdomains: Self-Control, Lack of Self-Control

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of νήφω ‘to be sober,’ in the sense of ‘not being drunk,’ probably not occurring in the NT) to behave with restraint and moderation, thus not permitting excess

Notes: It is possible that in RV TH1 5:8 · LV TH1 5:8 · Read together TH1 5:8 νήφω means lack of drunkenness, but most scholars interpret the use of νήφω in the NT as applying to a broader range of soberness or sobriety, namely, restraint and moderation which avoids excess in passion, rashness, or confusion. For another interpretation of νήφω in RV TH1 5:8 · LV TH1 5:8 · Read together TH1 5:8, as well as in RV TH1 5:6 · LV TH1 5:6 · Read together TH1 5:6, see 30.25: νήφω.