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RE: Sophronidzo

In response to the current discussion of sophronidzo, sophron, etc, I would
like to add some thoughts.

While there is no doubt that when referring to women, "sophron" indicates
sexually chastity, as in Titus 2:5, "sophronas, agnas...," it seems to me
that in Titus 2:4 the verb "sophronidzo" involves the idea of chastening,
or admonishing.  It is the elder women (presbutidas) who are to do this
chastening (vs. 3) and the younger women (neas) who are to receive it (vs.
4).  After this we have a list of things which the younger women are
instructed "to be": "philandrous..., filoteknous, sophronas, agnas,
oikourgous agathas, upotassomenas tois idiois andrasin...."  As we can see,
"sophronas" is only one thing out of several; so it would seem to me that
"sophronidzousin" must be broader, encompassing all of the things listed. 
I would argue that "sophronidzosin" here is very close to the classical
meaning of "sophronidzo," i.e. to chasten, instruct, discipline, cf.
Liddell, pg. 1751 where Titus 2:4 is cited right after a few classical
authors.

To sum up, "sophron" in Titus 2:5 is referring to chastity, whereas
"sophronidzo" seems more to have the idea of discipline; it is a broader
word that can encompass several aspects of a young woman's behavior, and
would not be strickly limited to sexual chastity.  This is why I think the
NAS and NIV do not translate "sophronidzo" with such a specific meaning as
sexual chastity.
Kevin Cauley
University of Texas at Austin, Classics Dept.
raycaul@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu