Sober, Soberly, Soberminded - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Sober, Soberly, Soberminded
[ A-1,Adjective,G4998, sophron ]denotes of sound mind" (sozo, "to save," phren, "the mind"); hence, "self-controlled, soberminded," always rendered "sober-minded" in the RV; in 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8, AV, "sober;" in Titus 2:2, AV, "temperate;" in Titus 2:5, AV, "discreet."
Note: For nephalios (akin to B, No. 1), translated "sober" in 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:2, See TEMPERATE.
[ B-1,Verb,G3525, nepho ]
signifies "to be free from the influence of intoxicants;" in the NT, metaphorically, it does not in itself imply watchfulness, but is used in association with it, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:7, RV (AV, "watch"); 1 Peter 5:8. Cp. eknepho and ananepho, under AWAKE, No. 3 and Note.
[ B-2,Verb,G4993, sophroneo ]
akin to A, is rendered "to think soberly," Romans 12:3; "to be sober," 2 Corinthians 5:13; "to be soberminded," Titus 2:6; in 1 Peter 4:7, AV "be ye sober" (RV, "of sound mind"); See MIND, B, No. 5.
[ B-3,Verb,G4994, sophronizo ]
denotes "to cause to be of sound mind, to recall to one's senses;" in Titus 2:4, RV, it is rendered "they may train" (AV, "they may teach ... to be sober," marg., "wise"); "train" expresses the meaning more adequately; the training would involve the cultivation of sound judgment and prudence.
[ C-1,Adverb,G4996, sophronos ]
akin to A and B, Nos. 2 and 3, "soberly," occurs in Titus 2:12; it suggests the exercise of that self-restraint that governs all passions and desires, enabling the believer to be conformed to the mind of Christ.
Note: For the phrase "to think soberly," See B, No. 2.