Titus 2:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

NIV: Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

NASB: Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

CSB: Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.

NLT: Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

KJV: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

NKJV: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

Verses 2–10 instruct Titus regarding various groups of people. Verse 2 focuses on "older men." In that time and culture, this meant those about age 40 and over. These men were given six traits. First, they were to think clearly. They were not to be easily angered and certainly not drunk. The stereotype of Cretan culture was undisciplined and lazy (Titus 1:12), but these older men were to live differently. Second, they were to be "dignified," or "worthy of respect." This term implies a contrast to the disrespectful lifestyle which was mentioned among unbelievers in Crete. It is also different from the behavior of the "circumcision party" mentioned in chapter 1. Third, they were to be "self-controlled," or "sensible," which is also a qualification of elders (Titus 1:5–9).

Fourth, older men were to be "sound in faith." Just as church leaders were to hold to sound doctrine (Titus 1:9), older men were to affirm biblical teaching, and live according to it. Fifth, older men were to be sound "in love." This trait is exemplified most clearly by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. It is the Greek term agape, which means a love focused on others, rather than on one's self. Sixth, they were to possess "steadfastness," or "endurance," which is a key theme both in this letter, and the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 12).

Titus 2:1–10 is Paul’s instructions to Titus, regarding the way various groups within the church should be coached. It includes specific instructions for older men and women, younger men and women, and servants. Titus is to encourage traits such as faithfulness, respectfulness, dignity, and self-control. Living this way not only draws others to Christ, it leaves critics with no room to attack our faith.

Titus chapter 2 details instructions for various groups within the church. These include older men, older women, younger men, and younger women. Paul commands Titus to encourage these positive behaviors, and to correct anything which contradicts his teachings. Titus is also told to be bold, and authoritative, in his work.

Chapter 2 forms a bridge in the middle of Paul’s letter to Titus. Chapter 1 focused on the character traits of a church leader, contrasted to the immoral culture of Crete. Chapter 2 explains the ideal traits of church members, especially in their acts towards each other. Chapter 3 will focus on the relationship between Christians and their surrounding culture.

The book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul, to a Christian leader on the island of Crete. This is one of Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, where he offers instructions to younger believers caring for large groups of others. Paul uses the book of Titus to emphasize the importance of selecting church elders carefully. Many of the topics discussed in Titus are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Though the details of this message are specifically for Titus, and the believers of Crete, they offer insight useful for churches today.