Study of “Self Control” — 2 Peter 1

5 min readFeb 24, 2022

What Is Self Control?

egkrateia

“The virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites”

Root word: egkratēs (3 definitions but only one usage in Titus 1:8, as a qualification for the elders)

“Mastering, controlling, curbing (such as on a road), restraining; Controlling oneself, temperate (showing moderation or self restraint), continent (exercising self restraint, especially sexually; able to control movements of the bowels and bladder)”

Root words: En + Kratos

Kratos: from a root meaning “to perfect, complete” by 1) force, strength, 2) power, might (by God’s power (Eph 1:19,6:10) and us strengthened by God’s power (Col 1:11) and the Word of God prevailing (Acts 19:20)), and 3) dominion (God’s eternal dominion (1 Tim 6:16))

Some examples in Scripture:

Acts 24:25 — Felix had a knowledge of the Way, and enjoyed hearing Paul speak about faith in Jesus, but it was when Paul spoke of this “righteousness and self control” that Felix was alarmed (convicted) and initially put Paul out, though he did continue hearing from Paul
Gal 5:23 — This is part of the fruit of the Spirit
Prov 25:28 — A man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls (our main line of defense, the thing that guarantees destruction if we don’t have it, is our own self control) (if I don’t have it, it doesn’t mean I will be broken into, it means I already have been and they left me with no walls for future attacks)
1 Cor 7:5 (husband & wife) — to lack self control is to invite further temptation
1 Cor 7:9 — if one can’t exercise self control, they should marry
1 Cor 9:25 — Every athlete exercises self control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
2 Tim 1:7 — Love and Self Control are priorities of God as He empowers us in mission
2 Tim 3:3 — people in the last days will be those without self control (and so we shine as lights)
2 Peter 2 — Note that Peter discusses primarily sensual passions of the flesh in the chapter following this whole list/study through 2 Peter 1. It’s what false prophets lead people in (false prophets who were once ‘among’ them (2:1) who compromised doctrine to suit their lifestyle again and again (2:2)). Every compromise chiseled away at their city wall, their barriers, till they were again enslaved by corruption (2:19). God will punish this sensuality and yet rescue those who hate it (2:4–10). This is what the enemies of God are consumed with and it’s what they use to lead others astray; “unsteady souls” (2:14,2:18).
1 Kings 11 — this was the downfall of the wisest man who ever lived, who had everything
Ps. 32:8–9 — Self control must be informed by KNOWLEDGE. It is KNOWLEDGE and understanding to stay near to God and to not wander off. It is SELF CONTROL to put in my own bit and bridle so that I will stay near to Him who continues to show me the path. It is GODLINESS to increase in this KNOWLEDGE and to stay near Him in reverent fear, and unwavering desire.

Summary:

If VIRTUE informed by KNOWLEDGE is our ‘offense’ as we go out into the world as lights, then SELF CONTROL is our ‘defense,’ but note that it is an active and ever-present defense. This is the curbs on both sides of the road which keep us from going into the ditches on either side (which will happen without the curbs). It is the wall around our city (Prov 25:28), without which we will be plundered and destroyed (yet note that if there is a hole in the wall then we have already been plundered, for what enemy would breach the wall without coming inside?). The word itself is that of total mastery, its root referring to the perfect and complete dominion, power, and strength of God. Of course our SELF CONTROL is modeled after His, and in the definition of the word itself we are pointed to the example of one controlling his bowels and bladder. In this same way we are to exercise self restraint in all things (1 Cor 9:25), but especially in our sensual appetites. It is impossible without God and nonetheless difficult. The ungodly are alarmed by the idea of it (Acts 24:25) and we are more vulnerable to Satan’s temptations when we lack it (1 Cor 7:5,7:9), but it is part of the fruit of a Spirit-filled life (Gal 5:23,2 Tim 1:7) and thus we can be confident in His empowerment. In the last days, the ungodly will not have SELF CONTROL (2 Tim 3:3) and therefore we will be different and set apart, shining as lights (1 Peter 2:11–12, Phil 2:12–15).

Self Control Relation to the Path:

We supply KNOWLEDGE unto right living with SELF CONTROL because SELF CONTROL sets the curbs on the road. It is not enough to simply start walking on the road (VIRTUE) and to start recognizing where to step and where the road is heading (KNOWLEDGE); barriers must be erected lest we end in either ditch or make some harmful detour to “vanity fair” or otherwise. Barriers also increase convictions since they enable us to keep walking forward in VIRTUE, tasting what is good and wanting more of it, and keeping us from slower growth delayed by detours. SELF CONTROL ‘cements’ our journey and makes our pace consistent, if not increasing.

This is enabled by, and laid upon the foundation of FAITH because the assurance of salvation causes us to trust in God’s all-satisfying nature, and the eventual fulfillment of our deepest longings (Ps. 73). Assurance of hell causes us to be disciplined in all things as athletes (1 Cor 9:25) making the most of every moment (Eph 5:15–17) for the mission and heart of God on this earth (Luke 11:2). (cf. Heb 11:15–16, Rom 6:20–21)

Work & Rest:

I REST in the all-satisfying nature of God
I WORK as an athlete, self-controlled in all things

Self Control In The Scriptures & In The Life of Jesus

Jesus was disciplined enough to walk the path of fasting for 40 days (Mt. 4:2) and His bumpers/curbs were the Scriptures, keeping Him on track in the midst of tremendous temptation (Mt. 4:1–11).
Regarding Women & Sexual Temptation: Young mothers brought their babies to be prayed for (Mt. 19:13), known prostitutes and sexually promiscuous women followed Him and fell down at His feet in emotional and physical abandonment (Mt 26:7, Mk 7:25, Mk 14:3, Luke 7:37, Luke 11:27, John 8, John 12), numerous women, some very influential, followed Him and would have worked with Him closely as they provided for Him financially (Luke 8:1–3), and He had many other interactions with women (John 4, Luke 10:38–39, Luke 13:11, Mk 5, Mt 15:22, Mt 9), even touching them physically (Luke 13:11–13). Not knowing enough on what temptation is/looks like and where the line of sin is, but knowing Jesus was tempted “in every respect as we are” (Heb 4:15) and “suffered when tempted” (Heb 2:18), I am assured that He would have been tempted to look at some of these women lustfully and to take advantage of them for sexual gratification. Our Lord knows the strength of the flesh; He knows the war (1 Peter 2:11–12). (Not just with sexual sin, but with materialism and everything else as well)
More examples through Mark