Titus 2:2

‘That aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patient endurance.’

The older men (greybeards) are to be temperate. The word nephalios literally meant sober as opposed to those who overindulged in wine, and then soberly behaved generally, that is behaving in moderation. The point is that when a man has reached a certain age he ought to have learned what are, and what are not, legitimate pleasures. They should have learned that the pleasures of self-indulgence cost far more than they are worth. Older men are to be grave (semnos). This is descriptive of the seriousness which comes with age, when a man recognises, the closer that he gets to eternity, the more he must live in the light of it. The idea is not for him to be a sombre killjoy, but simply a man who thinks before he acts, and is not frivolous about life. He must be sober-minded and masters of themselves (sophron). This describes the man whose mind has everything under control. He has learned wisdom over the years and has control over his passions and instincts. The overall idea of the three adjectives is that the older men should have lost the recklessness and thoughtlessness of youth. It is interesting that while younger men might have faith, hope and love, these greybeards have faith love and patient endurance. Like Paul in 2 Timothy they are waiting patiently for God to call them, rather than expecting His second coming in their lifetime.

So they should also be sound in faith, love and patient endurance. First they must be sound in faith. Their maturity should enable them to trust God fully the more they experience of Him. The closer they live to Christ and the more that they walk in his ways the greater their faith will grow. Secondly they must be sound in love. They must avoid being critical and faultfinding, but have compassion and concern for one another and for younger members, increasing in tolerance and sympathy and seeking to bear the burdens of others, so fulfilling the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2). Thirdly they must be sound in patient endurance thereby giving strength to, and being an example to, younger Christians who see their constancy, and meanwhile themselves growing ever closer to the Lord (compare Romans 5:1-5).