Balancing Self-Control With Rest And Relaxation
The Christian understanding of self-control is not merely about restraint but also encompasses the appropriate use of rest and relaxation. Self-control, or temperance, is seen as a virtue that allows individuals to manage their desires and actions, leading to honor from both others and God [6]. The book of Proverbs emphasizes that patience and self-control are more valuable than brute force [3]. This virtue is crucial for spiritual growth, as Clement of Alexandria notes that true spiritual knowledge (gnosis) involves exercising patience and self-restraint, separating the soul from the pleasures and pains that can bind it to the body [2].
However, this emphasis on self-control does not negate the need for rest. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, argues that just as the body requires rest for refreshment because its power is finite, so too does the soul. Continuous work without respite can lead to weariness and oppression. Therefore, engaging in "games" or forms of relaxation can be virtuous, as they serve to refresh the soul and enable it to return to more serious activities with renewed vigor [5]. This concept of rest is not idleness but a necessary component for sustained effort.
Biblical texts also support the importance of rest. Isaiah 30:15 suggests that "in returning and rest shall ye be saved," implying that turning back to God and finding rest in Him is a path to salvation and well-being [7]. The Greek term for "rest" in 2 Thessalonians 1:7, anesis, refers to a "relaxation" or a loosening of tension, distinct from a mere cessation of labor [8]. This kind of rest is a recompense for those who have endured trouble, indicating its restorative and beneficial nature [8]. Even in the context of discipline, Proverbs 29:17 states that disciplining a child will bring rest and delight, suggesting that proper order and self-management ultimately lead to peace [1]. The patristic writer Methodius also discusses the idea of a soul that exercises self-control being better than one that is merely tranquil, implying a dynamic balance between active self-regulation and periods of calm [4].
Sources
- Proverbs “Proverbs 29:17 (BSB) — Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. XX.--THE TRUE GNOSTIC EXERCISES PATIENCE AND SELF-RESTRAINT. (part 3): "each pleasure and pain nails to the body the soul" of the man, that does not sever and crucify himself from the passions. "He that loses his life," says the Lord, "shall save it;" either giving it up by exposing it to danger for the Lord's sake, as He did for us, or loosing it from fellowship with its habitual life. For if you would loose, and withdraw, and separate (for this is what the cross means) your soul from the delight and pleasure th”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 16:32: 16:32 Patience and self-control are far more valuable than brute force.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 6: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus, Methodius, Arnobius — CHAP. III.--WHICH ARE THE BETTER, THE CONTINENT, OR THOSE WHO DELIGHT IN TRANQUILLITY OF LIFE? CONTESTS THE PERIL OF CHASTITY: THE FELICITY OF TRANQUILLITY; PURIFIED AND TRANQUIL MINDS GODS: THEY WHO (part 4): soul which is concupiscent, and exercises self-control, as appears from what has been said, is better than that which is not concupiscent, and exercises serf-control.(1) GREGORION. You speak truly, and I shall desire still more fully to discourse with you concerning these things. If, therefore, it please”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Modesty as Consisting in the Outward Movements of the Body, Art. 2: Article: Whether there can be a virtue about games? I answer that, Just as man needs bodily rest for the body's refreshment, because he cannot always be at work, since his power is finite and equal to a certain fixed amount of labor, so too is it with his soul, whose power is also finite and equal to a fixed amount of work. Consequently when he goes beyond his measure in a certain work, he is oppressed and becomes weary, and all the more since whe”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 4:4: 4:4 will control his own body: Self-control brings honor from others (Rom 12:10) and from God (Rom 2:7; 1 Pet 5:4, 6).”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 30:15: For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,.... This is still repeated, though displeasing to the carnal Jews, who, notwithstanding their ill behaviour to the Lord, condescends to give them the best advice, as follows: in returning and rest shall ye be saved; or "may be saved" (o); this is the right and the only way, namely, by "returning" from their evil ways, particularly their purpose of going to Egypt for help, and by returning to God by repentance and reformation, and to his worship and ordinances; and so the Targum, "if ye return to my law;'' and”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 1:7: rest--governed by "to recompense" (Th2 1:6). The Greek is literally, "relaxation"; loosening of the tension which had preceded; relaxing of the strings of endurance now so tightly drawn. The Greek word for "rest," Mat 11:28, is distinct, namely, cessation from labor. Also, Heb 4:9, "A keeping of sabbath." with us--namely, Paul, Silas, and Timothy, the writers, who are troubled like yourselves. when--at the time when . . . ; not sooner, not later. with his mighty angels--rather as the Greek, "with the angels of His might," or "power," that”