Holding back in regards to temperance

The English word "temperance", related to the word "temperature", has narrowed to mean, in many cases, abstaining from alcohol.

The Greek word «εγκρατειαν» has the meaning of holding in, or holding back and is sometimes translated as "continence" as in "contained". Even with "knowledge", one should be judicious in using that knowledge.

On the other hand, the English word "patience" has to do with waiting, often until the right moment.

The ancient Greek word "ἐγκράτεια" ≈ "mastery over, self-control" and comes from the ancient Greek word "ἐγκρατής" ≈ "possession of, power over" and comes from two Greek words.

The ancient Greek prefix "ἐν " ≈ "in".
The ancient Greek word "κράτος" ≈ "might, strength" which is source of the word "democracy" which means "power of the people".

The apostles were put in the "public" or "common" prison.

Acts 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. [kjv]

και επεβαλον τας χειρας επι τους αποστολους και εθεντο αυτους εν τηρησει δημοσια [gnt]

… publica [v]

The word "democracy" comes from the ancient Greek word "δημοκρατία" ≈ "people government" and comes from two Greek words.

The ancient Greek word "δῆμος" ≈ "common people".
The ancient Greek word "κρατία" ≈ "power, rule".

The Latin word "publicare" ≈ "seize, make public".

More: Democracy etymology

In Acts, Paul is reasoning with Felix.

Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. [kjv]

Acts 24:25

All

KJV: And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Greek: διαλεγομενου δε αυτου περι δικαιοσυνης και εγκρατειας και του κριματος του μελλοντος εσεσθαι εμφοβος γενομενος ο φηλιξ απεκριθη το νυν εχον πορευου καιρον δε μεταλαβων μετακαλεσομαι σε

Latin: disputante autem illo de iustitia et castitate et de iudicio futuro timefactus Felix respondit quod nunc adtinet vade tempore autem oportuno accersiam te

Wycliffe: And while he disputide of riytwisnesse, and chastite, and of dom to comynge, Felix was maad tremblinge, and answerde, That perteneth now, go; but in tyme couenable Y schal clepe thee.

Tyndale: And as he preached of righteousnes temperauce and iudgement to come Felix trembled and answered: thou hast done ynough at this tyme departe when I have a conveniet tyme I will sende for the.

*G1466 *4 ἐγκράτεια (eng-krat'-i-ah) : from G1468; self-control (especially continence):--temperance.

Usage

All

εγκρατεια *2

Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and ...

εγκρατειας

Acts 24:25 ... reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to ...

εγκρατειαν

2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and ...

*G1467 *2 ἐγκρατεύομαι (eng-krat-yoo'-om-ahee) : middle voice from G1468; to exercise self-restraint (in diet and chastity):--can(-not) contain, be temperate.

Usage

All

εγκρατευονται

1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for ...

εγκρατευεται

1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they ...

Paul talks about sexual desire.

1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. [kjv]

Paul uses a sports training analogy.

9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [kjv]

1 Corinthians 7:9

All

KJV: But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Greek: ει δε ουκ εγκρατευονται γαμησατωσαν κρεισσον κρειττον γαρ εστιν γαμησαι γαμειν η πυρουσθαι

1 Corinthians 9:25

All

KJV: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Greek: πας δε ο αγωνιζομενος παντα εγκρατευεται εκεινοι μεν ουν ινα φθαρτον στεφανον λαβωσιν ημεις δε αφθαρτον

Paul lists such "holding back" or "self-control" as a "fruit of the spirit" in Galatians 5:23.

Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [kjv]

More: Paul

Galatians 5:23

All

KJV: Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Greek: πραοτης πραυτης εγκρατεια κατα των τοιουτων ουκ εστιν νομος

Paul lists such "holding back" as a quality of a Bishop.

Titus 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; [kjv]

More: 1 Timothy 3:1 Desire to reach out to be a bishop

Titus 1:8

All

KJV: But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

Greek: αλλα φιλοξενον φιλαγαθον σωφρονα δικαιον οσιον εγκρατη

Latin: sed hospitalem benignum sobrium iustum sanctum continentem

Peter lists "holding back" or "temperance" in his list that includes "virtue".

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [kjv]

1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [kjv]

1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [kjv]

In ancient Greece, "virtue" was a foundational goal of much of Greek philosophy.

More: 1 Peter 2: The powerful goodness of virtue

2 Peter 1:6

All

KJV: And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

Greek: εν δε τη γνωσει την εγκρατειαν εν δε τη εγκρατεια την υπομονην εν δε τη υπομονη την ευσεβειαν

When the LXX (Septuagint) was written, about 270 BC, the meaning association of "holding back" was much less influenced by the meaning from Greek philosophy. The meaning is more of just "holding in".

Exodus 9:2 For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, [kjv]

If however you will not send my people away, but yet detain them: [bs3]

Exodus 9:2

All

KJV: For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,

Hebrew: כי אם מאן אתה לשלח ועודך מחזיק בם׃

Greek: ει μεν ουν μη βουλει εξαποστειλαι τον λαον μου αλλ ετι εγκρατεις αυτου

Brenton: If however you will not send my people away, but yet detain them: