Discipline or "sound mind" (4995) (sophronismos from sophron in turn from sozo = save + phren = mind) so literally this word describes "a saved mind" or "a sound mind". (See study of related word sophronos). Not only is such a mind secure and sound but it carries the additional idea that this mind is self-controlled, disciplined, and properly prioritized.
Sophronismos describes sound-mindedness in action and the opposite mindset is one predisposed to excessive self-indulgence or lack of good sense.
Sophronismos describes the individual marked by a sense of sobriety (temperance, moderation), sound judgment, exercise of prudence, moderation, prudence (prudence includes the ability to govern and discipline oneself, sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs, skill and good judgment in the use of resources, caution or circumspection as to danger or risk).
Paul reminds Timothy that God has given us a mind which has the power to keep self (see flesh) in check and free from all excitement. The mind described here has a close parallel in (see Ro 8:5; 8:6; 8:7- notes Ro 8:5; 8:6; 8:7)
Gary Demarest adds that...
the sound mind all alone can become merely academic or speculative. Power, love, and a sound mind, given to us by God Himself, is the antidote to the spirit of fear or timidity. (Briscoe, D. S., & Ogilvie, L. J. The Preacher's Commentary Series, New Testament. 2003; Thomas Nelson)
Discipline describes a person who is sensibly minded and balanced, who has his life under control.
The Amplified Version reads,
calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
William MacDonald observes that...
The words a sound mind do not completely convey the thought. They might suggest that a Christian should be sane at all times, free from nervous breakdowns or other mental ailments. This verse has often been misused to teach that a Christian who is living close to the Lord could never be afflicted with any kind of mental ills. That is not a scriptural teaching. Many mental ills can be traced to inherited weaknesses. Many others may be the result of some physical condition not connected in any way with the person’s spiritual life. What this verse is teaching is that God has given us a spirit of self-control or self-mastery. We are to use discretion and not to act rashly, hastily, or foolishly. No matter how adverse our circumstances, we should maintain balanced judgment and act soberly. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)
Guy King observes...
How infinitely more effective is a horse when its wild freedom gives place to a proper control. What a wholly revolutionized thing, will that wide-spread, sluggish water become if it is confined within narrow banks - able now in its swiftly-running energy to do things, and to turn things. It is all the difference between waters dissipated, or disciplined, that is suggested by this quality of self-mastery.
J Vernon McGee remarks that...
A sound mind means discipline. In other words, God does not intend that defeat should be the norm of Christian living. We should be disciplined Christians rather than slaves to our emotions. We are all moved by our emotions. That is why people will send money to organizations that advertise with the picture of a poor, hungry, little orphan. But Christians are not to be motivated by their emotions. Our emotions are not to master us. We are to be disciplined. (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)
Ray Stedman adds these practical thoughts regarding discipline (sound mind):
It is not fanaticism; it is not talking constantly about dreams, visions, special revelations and wonderful experiences. It is talking about sober, realistic appraisals of a situation, deciding the right thing to do, and then, steadfastly, quietly, moving to do it. That is the spirit of sound judgment."
William Barclay writes that..
The word sophronismos is one of those great Greek untranslatable words. Someone has defined it as “the sanity of saintliness.” Falconer defines it as “control of oneself in face of panic or of passion.” It is Christ alone Who can give us that self-mastery which will keep us alike from being swept away and from running away. No man can ever rule others unless he has first mastered himself. Sophronismos is that divinely given self-control which makes a man a great ruler of others because he is first of all the servant of Christ and the master of himself. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press)
John MacArthur adds that a
God-given discipline allows believers to control every element of their lives, whether positive or negative. It allows them to experience success without becoming proud and to suffer failure without becoming bitter or hopeless. The disciplined life is the divinely ordered life, in which godly wisdom is applied to every situation...When we live by the godly discipline that our gracious Lord supplies, our priorities are placed in the right order, and every aspect of our lives is devoted to advancing the cause of Christ...The great spiritual triumvirate of power, love, and discipline belong to every believer. These are not natural endowments. We are not born with them, and they cannot be learned in a classroom or developed from experience. They are not the result of heritage or environment or instruction. But all believers possess these marvelous, God-given endowments: power, to be effective in His service; love, to have the right attitude toward Him and others; and discipline, to focus and apply every part of our lives according to His will. When those endowments are all present, marvelous results occur." (MacArthur, J. 2 Timothy. Chicago: Moody Press)
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Reason Enough - If you are like most Christians, you didn't go through a long reasoning process before believing on Jesus. You heard the good news and realized you were a sinner and needed God's forgiveness. You understood that when Jesus died on the cross He took the punishment you deserved. You believed that He rose from the dead, and you placed your trust in Him. This simple act of faith gave you inner peace and brought you into a personal relationship with God.
Let's suppose, however, that a well-educated skeptic challenges you to present solid historical evidence for the truthfulness of the Gospels. Though some Christians can skillfully defend their faith, you might not be one of them. Does this mean you believe without reason and your faith is just wishful thinking? Not at all! You believe because God showed you your need and His provision for it. That's reason enough! And the peace you have comes from the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:16, 17-notes).
Study so that you can give reasons for believing in Christ. But don't worry if you don't have all the answers. The God who helped timid Timothy be a good soldier for Him (2 Ti 1:7; 2:1, 2, 3, 4) can use you too. Thank God for enabling you to believe. Then tell others what He has done for you. —Herbert Vander Lugt
"I put no faith in faith," he said,
"I only trust what's in my head."
So I told him that my reliance
Is faith in God, who thought of science. --Gustafson
The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of. --Pascal
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Martin Neimoller (biography) was a Man with No Spirit of Fear - In 1934, Adolf Hitler summoned German church leaders to his Berlin office to berate them for insufficiently supporting his programs. Pastor Martin Niemoller explained that he was concerned only for the welfare of the church and of the German people. Hitler snapped,
You confine yourself to the church. I’ll take care of the German people.
Neimoller replied,
You said that ‘I will take care of the German people.’ But we too, as Christians and churchmen, have a responsibility toward the German people. That responsibility was entrusted to us by God, and neither you nor anyone in this world has the power to take it from us.
Hitler listened in silence, but that evening his Gestapo raided Neimoller's rectory, and a few days later a bomb exploded in his church. During the months and years following, he was closely watched by the secret police, and in June 1937, he preached these words to his church
We have no more thought of using our own powers to escape the arm of the authorities than had the apostles of old. We must obey God rather than man.
He was soon arrested and placed in solitary confinement.
Dr. Neimoller's trial began on February 7, 1938. That morning, a green-uniformed guard escorted the minister from his prison cell and through a series of underground passages toward the courtroom. Niemoller was overcome with terror and loneliness. What would become of him? Of his family? His church? What tortures awaited them all? The guard’s face was impassive, and he was silent as stone. But as they exited a tunnel to ascend a final flight of stairs, Niemoller heard a whisper. At first he didn’t know where it came from, for the voice was soft as a sigh. Then he realized that the officer was breathing into his ear the words of Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Neimoller's fear fell away, and the power of that verse sustained him through his trial and his years in Nazi concentration camps. (See related story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
(See Related Topic - Click here for A Simple Inductive Study on Proverbs 18:10 -- What Does it Mean to be Safe in Jehovah's Name? <> See also summary chart on God's Names)
The 115 NT uses of
Dunamis...
Matthew 7:22 (note) "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
Matthew 11:20 Then He began to reproach the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Matthew 11:23 "And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You shall descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day.
Matthew 13:54 And coming to His home town He began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they became astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom, and these miraculous powers?
Matthew 13:58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.
Matthew 14:2 and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead; and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him."
Matthew 22:29 But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God.
Matthew 24:29 "But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, 30 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.
Matthew 25:15 "And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.
Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power (see identical name of God in Mark 14:62), and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Mark 5:30 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My garments?"
Mark 6:2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?
Mark 6:5 And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them.
Mark 6:14 And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him."
Mark 9:1 And He was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power." (see Mk 13:25-26, 14:62, Mt 24:29, 30)
Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who shall perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.
Mark 12:24 Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures, or the power of God?
Mark 13:25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 "And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, "I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
Luke 1:17 "And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit; and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. (This verse speaks volumes about how we are to minister for the Lord today!)
Luke 4:36 And amazement came upon them all, and they began discussing with one another saying, "What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out."
Luke 5:17 And it came about one day that He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing.
Luke 6:19 And all the multitude were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.
Luke 8:46 But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me."
Luke 9:1 And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases.
Luke 10:13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Luke 10:19 "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.
Luke 19:37 And as He was now approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen,
Luke 21:26 men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 "And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 22:69 "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."
Luke 24:49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
Acts 1:8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know--
Acts 3:12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?
Acts 4:7 And when they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?"
Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
Acts 8:10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, "This man is what is called the Great Power of God."
Acts 8:13 And even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip; and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
Acts 10:38 "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.
Acts 19:11 And God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
Romans 1:4 (note) who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Romans 1:16 (note) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:20 (note) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Romans 8:38 (note) For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
Romans 9:17 (note) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth."
Romans 15:13 (note) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:19 (note) in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 2:4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1 Corinthians 2:5 that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Corinthians 4:19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power.
1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
1 Corinthians 6:14 Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.
1 Corinthians 12:10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they?
1 Corinthians 14:11 If then I do not know the meaning (dunamis) of the language, I shall be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
1 Corinthians 15:24 then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.
1 Corinthians 15:43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;
2 Corinthians 1:8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves
2 Corinthians 6:7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
2 Corinthians 8:3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord,
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
2 Corinthians 13:4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.
Galatians 3:5 Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
Ephesians 1:19 (note) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
Ephesians 1:21 (note) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 3:7 (note) of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
Ephesians 3:16 (note) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;
Ephesians 3:20 (note) Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
Philippians 3:10 (note) that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
Colossians 1:11 (note) strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
Colossians 1:29 (note) And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
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