Daily Bread – August 24, 2023 (The Fifth Day – Genesis 1:20-23) 2 Peter 1:6 – And with the knowledge, the temperance, and with the temperance, the patience, and with the patience, the godliness. Temperance The Greek word translated “temperance” (enkrateia) means “lordship or dominion over oneself.” Paul uses this word in 1 Corinthians 9:25 to describe the discipline an athlete must have if he or she is to accomplish the goal of winning the crown. Temperance was one of the three main subjects Paul focused on in His ministry to Felix (Acts 24:25). Temperance is observed through self-control and discipline. It refers to self-restraint and is thought of as the cornerstone to all other virtues. If a person does not have the ability to control himself or herself, then no other virtue would be possible. One of the easiest ways to grasp the meaning of temperance is to recognize the word “self-discipline” is a synonym. We do not find self-discipline in the Bible – instead we find temperance. The self-discipline usually referred to when this word was used in Greek culture was with respect to sexual purity and proper restraints with food. Job made a covenant with his eyes not to behold a maiden (Job 31:1). The Proverbs demands for a person who is given to an appetite place a knife to his/her throat to ensure that there is no overeating (Proverbs 23:2). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 8/24/2023
