3525. néphó

Lexicon

néphó: To be sober, to be self-controlled, to be watchful

Original Word: νήφω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: néphó
Pronunciation: NAY-fo
Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-fo)
Definition: To be sober, to be self-controlled, to be watchful
Meaning: (lit: I am sober), I am calm (vigilant), circumspect.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

to be sober, to abstain from wine

Of uncertain affinity: to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (figuratively) be discreet -- be sober, watch.

HELPS Word-studies

3525 nḗphō – properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free from illusion, i.e. from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.).

3525 /nḗphō ("be sober, unintoxicated") refers to having presence of mind (clear judgment), enabling someone to be temperate (self-controlled). 3525 /nḗphō ("uninfluenced by intoxicants") means to have "one's wits (faculties) about them," which is the opposite of being irrational.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
to be sober, to abstain from wine
NASB Translation
keep sober (1), sober (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3525: νήφω

νήφω; 1 aorist imperative 2 person plural νήψατε; from Theognis, Sophocles, Xenophon down; to be sober; in the N. T. everywhere tropically, to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect: 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 5:8; εἰς τάς προσευχάς, unto (the offering of) prayer, 1 Peter 4:7. (Synonym: see ἀγρυπνέω; and on the word see Ellicott on Timothy, the passage cited Compare: ἀνανήφω, ἐκνήφω.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primary verb

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent to the Greek νήφω, the concept of sobriety and vigilance can be related to several Hebrew terms that convey watchfulness and self-control. For example, the Hebrew word שָׁקַד (shaqad, Strong's 8245) means "to watch" or "to be alert," and is used in contexts that emphasize vigilance and attentiveness. Another related term is שָׁמַר (shamar, Strong's 8104), meaning "to keep" or "to guard," often used in the sense of guarding one's heart and actions. These terms reflect the broader biblical theme of spiritual alertness and moral discipline.

Usage: The verb νήφω is used in the New Testament to describe a state of sobriety, both in a literal sense of not being intoxicated and in a metaphorical sense of being alert, vigilant, and self-controlled. It is often associated with spiritual watchfulness and moral alertness.

Context: The Greek verb νήφω appears in the New Testament primarily in the context of exhortations to spiritual vigilance and moral sobriety. It is used to encourage believers to maintain a clear and focused mind, free from the distractions and impairments that can come from both literal intoxication and metaphorical spiritual drowsiness.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Paul writes, "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober." Here, νήφω is contrasted with sleep, symbolizing spiritual lethargy, and calls believers to be alert and prepared for the coming of the Lord.

Similarly, in 1 Peter 5:8, the apostle Peter warns, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." The use of νήφω emphasizes the need for constant vigilance against spiritual threats.

The concept of sobriety in the New Testament extends beyond mere abstinence from alcohol; it encompasses a broader call to live a disciplined and focused Christian life. This includes being clear-minded, exercising self-control, and being prepared for spiritual challenges.

The call to νήφω is a recurring theme in the pastoral epistles, where leaders and believers alike are urged to maintain a sober and vigilant lifestyle as a testimony to their faith and as a means of safeguarding their spiritual well-being.

Forms and Transliterations

νηφε νήφε νῆφε νηφοντες νήφοντες νηφωμεν νήφωμεν νηψατε νήψατε nephe nêphe nēphe nē̂phe nephomen nēphōmen nḗphomen nḗphōmen nephontes nēphontes nḗphontes nepsate nēpsate nḗpsate

Englishman's Concordance

1 Thessalonians 5:6 V-PSA-1P
GRK: γρηγορῶμεν καὶ νήφωμεν
NAS: do, but let us be alert and sober.
KJV: let us watch and be sober.
INT: we should watch and we should be sober

1 Thessalonians 5:8 V-PSA-1P
GRK: ἡμέρας ὄντες νήφωμεν ἐνδυσάμενοι θώρακα
NAS: But since we are of [the] day, let us be sober, having put
KJV: of the day, be sober, putting on
INT: of day being should be sober having put on [the] breastplate

2 Timothy 4:5 V-PMA-2S
GRK: σὺ δὲ νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν
NAS: But you, be sober in all things,
KJV: But watch thou in
INT: you moreover be sober in all things

1 Peter 1:13 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: διανοίας ὑμῶν νήφοντες τελείως ἐλπίσατε
NAS: your minds for action, keep sober [in spirit], fix your hope
KJV: mind, be sober, and hope
INT: mind of you being sober perfectly hope

1 Peter 4:7 V-AMA-2P
GRK: οὖν καὶ νήψατε εἰς προσευχάς
NAS: be of sound judgment and sober [spirit] for the purpose of prayer.
KJV: sober, and watch unto prayer.
INT: therefore and be watchful unto prayers

1 Peter 5:8 V-AMA-2P
GRK: Νήψατε γρηγορήσατε ὁ
NAS: Be of sober [spirit], be on the alert.
KJV: Be sober, be vigilant; because
INT: Be sober watch the

Strong's Greek 3525
6 Occurrences

νῆφε — 1 Occ.
νήφωμεν — 2 Occ.
νήφοντες — 1 Occ.
νήψατε — 2 Occ.