Titus 1:8 - Exposition

Given to for a lover of, A.V.; good for good men, A.V.; sober-minded for sober, A.V. Given to hospitality ( φιλόξενον ); 1 Timothy 3:2 , note. A lover of good ( φιλάγαθον ) see 2 Timothy 3:3 , note on ἀφιλάγαθον . Only here in the New Testament, and only once in the LXX ., Wis. 7:22, where it seems to mean "a lover of that which is good," and where the long string of adjectives is very similar to that here; found occasionally in classical Greek. Sober-minded ( σώφρονα ); see Titus 2:2 , Titus 2:5 , and 1 Timothy 3:2 , note. The rendering "discreet" in Titus 2:5 (A.V.) expresses the meaning very well. Just, holy . δίκαιος is usually considered as describing that side of a good man's character which is in relation to his fellow-men, and ὅσιος that side which has respect to God. Joseph was δίκαιος ( Matthew 1:19 ) in his conduct towards Mary; the Lord Jesus was God's Holy One ( τὸν ὅσιόν σου ) . In classical Greek the words are more commonly applied to things. ὅσια καὶ δίκαια are things sanctioned by Divine and human laws respectively. Temperate ( ἐγκρατῆ ); only here in the New Testament, and never in this sense in the LXX .; but it has exactly the same meaning in Aristotle, viz. "master of one's self," having the appetites under control.