Sophrosune denotes sound, self-controlled conduct and, in Paul’s defense, rational speech.

Its dominant attested use concerns self-controlled conduct in instructions about modest attire and continuing in faith, love, and holiness; a separate occurrence describes Paul’s speech as rational rather than unsound.

1. Self-controlled conduct · dominant

   In 1 Timothy 2:9, the genitive singular feminine form occurs in instruction about respectable attire, and the APB renders the clause with “modesty and self-control.” In 1 Timothy 2:15, the same form occurs with continuing in faith, love, and holiness, which the APB again renders with “self-control.”

   1 Timothy 2:91 Timothy 2:15
2. Rational speech in contrast to being out of mind · occasional

   In Acts 26:25, the genitive singular feminine form occurs in Paul’s reply denying that he is out of his mind; the APB renders his claim as speaking “true and rational words.”

   Acts 26:25

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the 1 Timothy occurrences with “self-control” and the Acts occurrence with “rational words.” These renderings confirm the clauses’ overall presentation rather than establishing an exact English equivalent in each verse.