The Meaning of Titus 2:2 Explained

Titus 2:2

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

YLT: aged men to be temperate, grave, sober, sound in the faith, in the love, in the endurance;

Darby: that the elder men be sober, grave, discreet, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

ASV: that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Titus 2:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Titus was to remind older men to be temperate (Gr. nephalious; sober, vigilant, clear-headed; 1 Timothy 3:2), dignified (Gr. semnous; worthy of respect, serious-minded rather than clowns), and sensible (Gr. sophronas; self-controlled; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Titus 2:5). These characteristics are all marks of maturity (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3). They should also be godly. This means being sound in faith (Gr. hygiainontas te pistei; trust in God rather than correct in doctrine here), love (Gr. agape; concern for other people), and perseverance (Gr. hypomone; patiently enduring in view of their hope as believers).
"A seriousness of purpose particularly suits the dignity of seniors, yet gravity must never be confused with gloominess." [1]
". . . the years ought to bring, not an increasing intolerance, but an increasing tolerance and sympathy for the views and with the mistakes of others." [2]

Context Summary

Titus 2:1-8 - A Pattern For Old And Young
The supreme test of all Christian teaching and Christian work depends on whether they produce healthy characters, which are not contaminated by the noisome and germ-laden atmosphere around. Our teaching must be healthy and also health-creating. There must be plenty of ozone in it.
The Apostle's strophes are few but fine. In the briefest sentences he seizes the salient features of Christian character. The aged man-strong, calm, patient, full of faith and love. The aged woman-holy, reverent, beloved, honored, and obeyed by the younger women of the same household or church. So also with the young men and women. What a life is sketched here against which the tongue of slander is dumb!
But, after all, these results cannot be realized apart from the personal holiness of their minister and leader. He must furnish a pattern of good works. His attitude to things which are questionable and doubtful must be decided not by his own predilections or fancies, but by the consideration of the effect which his action is likely to have on the keen eyes that are carefully watching him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Titus 2

1  Directions given unto Titus both for his doctrine and life
10  Of the duty of servants, and in general of all Christians

Greek Commentary for Titus 2:2

Aged men [πρεσβυτας]
See note on Philemon 1:9 for this word. For discussion of family life see also 1 Corinthians 3:18-4:1; Ephesians 5:22-6:9; 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2. For the adjectives here see note on 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:8; for the substantives see note on 1 Timothy 6:11. [source]
Aged men [πρεσβύτας]
Only here, Luke 1:18; Philemon 1:9. To be understood of natural age, not of ecclesiastical position. Note that 2Chronicles href="/desk/?q=2ch+32:31&sr=1">2 Chronicles 32:31; 1 Maccabees 13:21; 14:21,22; 2 Maccabees 11:34. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Titus 2:2

Philippians 4:8 Honest [σεμνὰ]
Rev., honorable, reverend in margin. In classical Greek an epithet of the gods, venerable, reverend. The word occurs only here and in the pastoral epistles, 1 Timothy 3:8, 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:2, where it is rendered grave, both in A.V. and Rev. There lies in it the idea of a dignity or majesty which is yet inviting and attractive, and which inspires reverence. Grave, as Trench observes, does not exhaust the meaning. Gravity may be ridiculous. “The word we want is one in which the sense of gravity and dignity, and of these as inviting reverence, is combined.” Ellicott's venerable is perhaps as near as any word, if venerable be divested of its modern conventional sense as implying age, and confined to its original sense, worthy of reverence. [source]
1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder [πρεσβυτέρῳ μὴ ἐπιπλήξῃς]
The verb N.T.oolxx. originally to lay on blows; hence to castigate with words. Πρεσβύτερος elderoP., but frequent in Gospels, Acts, and Revelation. Modern critical opinion has largely abandoned the view that the original Christian polity was an imitation of that of the Synagogue. The secular and religious authorities of the Jewish communities, at least in purely Jewish localities, were the same; a fact which is against the probability that the polity was directly transferred to the Christian church. The prerogatives of the Jewish elders have nothing corresponding with them in extent in the Christian community. Functions which emerge later in the Jewish-Christian communities of Palestine do not exist in the first Palestinian-Christian society. At the most, as Weizsäcker observes, it could only be a question of borrowing a current name. Modern criticism compels us, I think, to abandon the view of the identity of Bishop and Presbyter which has obtained such wide acceptance, especially among English scholars, through the discussions of Lightfoot and Hatch. The testimony of Clement of Rome (Ep. ad Corinth.) goes to show that the Bishops ( ἡγούμενοι or προηγούμενοι ) are distinguished from the Presbyters, and that if the Bishops are apparently designated as Presbyters, it is, because they have been chosen from the body of Presbyters, and have retained the name even when they have ceased to hold office. for this reason deceased Bishops are called Presbyters. In Clement, Presbyters signify a class or estate - members of long standing and approved character, and not office-bearers regularly appointed. Among these the Bishops are to be sought. Bishops are reckoned as Presbyters, not because the Presbyter as such is a Bishop, but because the Bishop as such is a Presbyter. In the Pastorals, Bishops and Deacons are associated without mention of Presbyters (1 Timothy 3:1-13). Presbyters are referred to in 1 Timothy 5:17-19, but in an entirely different connection. The qualifications of Bishops and Deacons are detailed in the former passage, and the list of qualifications concludes with the statement that this is the ordering of the church as the house of God (1 Timothy 5:14, 1 Timothy 5:15). The offices are exhausted in the description of Bishops and Deacons. Nothing is said of Presbyters until ch. 5, where Timothy's relations to individual church-members are prescribed; and in Titus 2:2ff. these members are classified as old men ( πρεσβύτας ) old women, young men, and servants. In 1 Timothy 5:17are mentioned elders who rule well ( οἱ καλῶς προεστῶτες πρεσβύτεροι ). Assuming that Presbyters and Bishops were identical, a distinction would thus be implied between two classes of Bishops - those who rule well and those who do not: where as the distinction is obviously between old and honored church-members, collectively considered, forming the presbyterial body, and certain of their number who show their qualifications for appointment as overseers. Presbyters as such are not invested with office. There is no formal act constituting a Presbyter. The Bishops are reckoned among the Elders, but the elders as such are not officers. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Thus are to be explained the allusions to appointed Elders, Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23. Elders are to be appointed as overseers or Bishops, for the overseers must have the qualifications of approved Presbyters. The ordination of Presbyters is the setting apart of Elders to the position of Superintendents. The Presbyterate denotes an honorable and influential estate in the church on the ground of age, duration of church membership, and approved character. Only Bishops are appointed. There is no appointment to the Presbyterate. At the close of Clement's letter to the Corinthians, the qualifications of a Presbyter are indicated in the description of the three commissioners from the Roman church who are the bearers of the letter, and to whom no official title is given. They are old, members of the Roman church from youth, blameless in life, believing, and sober. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

1 Timothy 3:2 Vigilant [νηφάλιον]
Only in the Pastorals. See 1 Timothy 3:11, and Titus 2:2. olxx. The kindred verb νήφειν means to be sober with reference to drink, and, in a metaphorical sense, to be sober and wary; cool and unimpassioned. Thus Epicharmus, νᾶφε καὶ μέμνας ἀπιστεῖν bewary and remember not to be credulous. See on 1 Thessalonians 5:6. In N.T. the meaning of the verb is always metaphorical, to be calm, dispassionate, and circumspect. The A.V. vigilant is too limited. Wise caution may be included; but it is better to render sober, as A.V. in 1 Timothy 3:11and Titus 2:2, in the metaphorical sense as opposed to youthful levity. [source]
1 Timothy 3:2 Soberminded [σωπρονα]
Another old adjective (from σαος — saos or σως — sōs sound, πρην — phrēn mind) in N.T. only here, Titus 1:8; Titus 2:2, Titus 2:5. [source]
1 Timothy 3:2 The husband of one wife [μιᾶς γυναικὸς ἄνδρα]
Comp. 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6. Is the injunction aimed (a) at immoralities respecting marriage - concubinage, etc., or (b) at polygamy, or (c) at remarriage after death or divorce? The last is probably meant. Much of the difficulty arises from the assumption that the Pastorals were written by Paul. In that case his views seem to conflict. See Romans 7:2, Romans 7:3; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Corinthians 8:8, 1 Corinthians 8:9, where Paul declares that widows are free to marry again, and puts widows and virgins on the same level; and comp. 1 Timothy 5:9, according to which a widow is to be enrolled only on the condition of having been the wife of but one man. The Pauline view is modified in detail by the writer of the Pastorals. Paul, while asserting that marriage is right and honorable, regards celibacy as the higher state (1 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Corinthians 7:7, 1 Corinthians 7:26, 1 Corinthians 7:34, 1 Corinthians 7:37, 1 Corinthians 7:38). In this the Pastoral writer does not follow him (see 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 3:4, 1 Timothy 3:12; 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 5:10, 1 Timothy 5:14). The motive for marriage, namely, protection against incontinency, which is adduced by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:2, 1 Corinthians 7:9, is given in 1 Timothy 5:11-14. As in Paul, the married state is honorable, for Bishops, Deacons, and Presbyters are married (1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6), and the honor of childbearing conferred upon the mother of our Lord is reflected in the Christian woman of later times (1 Timothy 2:15). While Paul advises against second marriages (1 Corinthians 7:8, 1 Corinthians 7:9, 1 Corinthians 7:27, 1 Corinthians 7:39, 1 Corinthians 7:40), in the Pastorals emphasis is laid only on the remarriage of church-officers and church-widows. In the Pastorals we see a reflection of the conditions of the earlier post-apostolic age, when a non-Pauline asceticism was showing itself (see 1 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:8; Titus 1:15). The opposition to second marriage became very strong in the latter part of the second century. It was elevated into an article of faith by the Montanists, and was emphasized by Tertullian, and by Athenagoras, who called second marriage “a specious adultery” ( εὐπρεπής μοιχεία )|Vigilant ( νηφάλιον )|Only in the Pastorals. See 1 Timothy 3:11, and Titus 2:2. olxx. The kindred verb νήφειν means to be sober with reference to drink, and, in a metaphorical sense, to be sober and wary; cool and unimpassioned. Thus Epicharmus, νᾶφε καὶ μέμνας ἀπιστεῖν bewary and remember not to be credulous. See on 1 Thessalonians 5:6. In N.T. the meaning of the verb is always metaphorical, to be calm, dispassionate, and circumspect. The A.V. vigilant is too limited. Wise caution may be included; but it is better to render sober, as A.V. in 1 Timothy 3:11and Titus 2:2, in the metaphorical sense as opposed to youthful levity.|Of good behavior ( κόσμιον )|oP. Only here and 1 Timothy 2:9, see note. Rend. orderly.|Given to hospitality ( φιλόξενον )|oP. Comp. Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9. See note on pursuing hospitality, Romans 12:13.|Apt to teach ( διδακτικόν )|oP. Only here and 2 Timothy 2:24. olxx, oClass. In the Pastorals the function of teaching pertains to both Bishops and Elders (see 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:9). It is at this point that the tendency to confound and identify the two reveals itself. Bishops and Presbyters are not identical. Earlier, the teaching function does not seem to have attached to the position of ἐπίσκοπος. The office acquired a different character when it assumed that function, which is not assigned to it in Clement's Epistle to the Corinthians. In the Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (about 100 a.d.) the ministry of teaching is to be assumed by the Bishops only in the absence of the Prophets and Teachers (xiii., xv).| [source]
1 Timothy 3:2 Without reproach [ανεπιλημπτον]
Accusative case of general reference with δει — dei and ειναι — einai Old and common verbal One at a time, clearly. Temperate Old adjective. In N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:2. But see νηπω — nēphō to be sober in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Soberminded (σωπρονα — sōphrona). Another old adjective (from σαος — saos or σως — sōs sound, πρην — phrēn mind) in N.T. only here, Titus 1:8; Titus 2:2, Titus 2:5. Orderly See note on 1 Timothy 2:9. Seemly, decent conduct. Given to hospitality (πιλοχενον — philoxenon). Old word (see πιλοχενια — philoxenia in Romans 12:13), from πιλος — philos and χενος — xenos in N.T. only here, Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9. Apt to teach Late form for old διδασκαλικος — didaskalikos one qualified to teach. In Philo and N.T. only (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24). [source]
1 Timothy 1:10 The sound doctrine [τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ]
A phrase peculiar to the Pastorals. Ὑγιαίνειν tobe in good health, Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10; 3 John 1:2. oP. Quite frequent in lxx, and invariably in the literal sense. Often in salutations or dismissals. See 9:19; 2Samuel href="/desk/?q=2sa+14:8&sr=1">2 Samuel 14:8; Exodus 4:18. In the Pastorals, the verb, which occurs eight times, is six times associated with διδασκαλία teachingor λόγοι wordsand twice with ἐν τῇ πίστει or τῇ πίστει inthe faith. The sound teaching (comp. διδαχή teaching 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9) which is thus commended is Paul's, who teaches in Christ's name and by his authority (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:8). In all the three letters it is called ἀλη.θεια or ἡ ἀλήθεια thetruth, the knowledge ( ἐπίγνωσις ) of which is bound up with salvation. See 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Timothy 3:7; Titus 1:1. As truth it is sound or healthful. It is the object of faith. To be sound in the faith is, practically, to follow ( παρακολουθεῖν ) sound teaching or the truth. The subjective characteristic of Christians is εὐσέβεια or θεοσέβεια godlinessor piety (1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:6, 1 Timothy 6:11); and the teaching and knowledge of the truth are represented as κατ ' εὐσέβειαν accordingto godliness (1 Timothy 6:3; Titus 1:1). Comp. εὐσεβεῖν toshow piety, 1 Timothy 5:4. εὐσεβῶς ζῇν to live godly, 2 Timothy 3:12; Titus 2:12; and βίον διάγειν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ tolead a life in all godliness, 1 Timothy 2:2. The contents of this sound teaching which is according to godliness are not theoretical or dogmatic truth, but Christian ethics, with faith and love. See 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:10; Titus 2:2. Ἁλήθεια truthis used of moral things, rather than in the high religious sense of Paul. Comp., for instance, Romans 3:7; Romans 9:1; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 11:10; Galatians 2:5; Ephesians 4:21, Ephesians 4:24; and 2 Timothy 2:25, 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Timothy 3:7(comp. 2 Timothy 3:1-9); 2 Timothy 4:3, 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:12(comp. Titus 1:11, Titus 1:15); Titus 2:4(comp. Titus 2:1, Titus 2:3); Titus 3:1. Whoever grasps the truth has faith (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:18; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:3f.). That the ethical character of faith is emphasized, appears from the numerous expressions regarding the false teachers, as 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 5:12; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21. There is a tendency to objectify faith, regarding it as something believed rather than as the act of believing. See 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21; Titus 1:4. In comparing the ideal of righteousness (1 Timothy 1:9) with that of Paul, note that it is not denied that Christ is the source of true righteousness; but according to Paul, the man who is not under the law is the man who lives by faith in Christ. Paul emphasizes this. It is faith in Christ which sets one free from the law. Here, the man for whom the law is not made (1 Timothy 1:9) is the man who is ethically conformed to the norm of sound teaching. The two conceptions do not exclude each other: the sound teaching is according to the gospel (1 Timothy 1:11), but the point of emphasis is shifted.| [source]
1 Timothy 3:2 Temperate [νηπαλιον]
Old adjective. In N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:2. But see νηπω — nēphō to be sober in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Soberminded (σωπρονα — sōphrona). Another old adjective (from σαος — saos or σως — sōs sound, πρην — phrēn mind) in N.T. only here, Titus 1:8; Titus 2:2, Titus 2:5. Orderly See note on 1 Timothy 2:9. Seemly, decent conduct. Given to hospitality (πιλοχενον — philoxenon). Old word (see πιλοχενια — philoxenia in Romans 12:13), from πιλος — philos and χενος — xenos in N.T. only here, Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9. Apt to teach Late form for old διδασκαλικος — didaskalikos one qualified to teach. In Philo and N.T. only (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24). [source]
1 Timothy 3:8 Grave [σεμνους]
See note on Philemon 4:8. Repeated in 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:2. Not double-tongued (μη διλογους — mē dilogous). Rare word (δισ λεγω — disδιλογεω — legō) saying same thing twice. Xenophon has διλογια — dilogeō and διγλωσσος — dilogia In Pollux, but lxx has μη οινωι πολλωι προσεχοντας — diglōssos (double-tongued, Latin bilinguis). Only here in N.T. One placed between two persons and saying one thing to one, another to the other. Like Bunyan‘s Parson “Mark. Two-Tongues.” Not given to much wine “Not holding the mind That attitude leads to over-indulgence. Not greedy of filthy lucre (αισχρος — mē aischrokerdeis). Old word from κερδος — aischros (Ephesians 5:12) and kerdos (Philemon 1:21). “Making small gains in mean ways” (Parry). Not genuine in 1 Timothy 3:3. In N.T. only here and Titus 1:7 (of bishops). [source]
Titus 2:1 Befit [πρεπει]
Old verb to be becoming, seemly. See note on 1 Timothy 2:10; Ephesians 5:3. With dative case διδασκαλιαι — didaskaliāi Sound (υγιαινουσηι — hugiainousēi). Healthful as in Titus 1:13; Titus 2:2; 1 Timothy 1:10, common word in the Pastorals. [source]
Titus 2:1 Sound [υγιαινουσηι]
Healthful as in Titus 1:13; Titus 2:2; 1 Timothy 1:10, common word in the Pastorals. [source]
Philemon 1:9 Being such an one as Paul the aged [τοιοῦτος ὦν ὡς Παῦλος πρεσβύτης]
Being such an one, connect with the previous I rather beseech, and with Paul the aged. Not, being such an one (armed with such authority), as Paul the aged I beseech (the second beseech in Philemon 1:10); but, as Rev., for love's sake I rather beseech, being such an one as Paul the aged. The beseech in Philemon 1:10is resumptive. Aged; or ambassador (so Rev., in margin). The latter rendering is supported by πρεσβεύω I am an ambassador, Ephesians 6:10. There is no objection to aged on the ground of fact. Paul was about sixty years old, besides being prematurely aged from labor and hardship. For aged see Luke 1:18; Titus 2:2. [source]
Philemon 1:9 Paul the aged [Παυλος πρεσβυτης]
Paul is called νεανιας — neanias (a young man) at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). He was perhaps a bit under sixty now. Hippocrates calls a man πρεσβυτης — presbutēs from 49 to 56 and γερων — gerōn after that. The papyri use πρεσβυτης — presbutēs for old man as in Luke 1:18 of Zacharias and in Titus 2:2. But in Ephesians 6:20 Paul says πρεσβευω εν αλυσει — presbeuō en halusei (I am an ambassador in a chain). Hence Lightfoot holds that here πρεσβυτης — presbutēs = πρεσβευτης — presbeutēs because of common confusion by the scribes between υ — u and ευ — eu In the lxx four times the two words are used interchangeably. There is some confusion also in the papyri and the inscriptions. Undoubtedly ambassador (πρεσβευτης — presbeutēs) is possible here as in Ephesians 6:20 (πρεσβευω — presbeuō) though there is no real reason why Paul should not term himself properly “Paul the aged.” [source]
3 John 1:2 Be in health [ὑγιαίνειν]
Used in the New Testament both in a physical and moral sense. The former is found only here and in Luke's Gospel. See Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10; Luke 15:27. Paul uses it of soundness in faith or doctrine. See 1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 2:2. Here of Gaius' bodily health, as is shown by soul in the next clause. [source]

What do the individual words in Titus 2:2 mean?

[The] aged [men] sober-minded are to be dignified self-controlled sound - in faith in love in endurance
Πρεσβύτας νηφαλίους εἶναι σεμνούς σώφρονας ὑγιαίνοντας τῇ πίστει ἀγάπῃ ὑπομονῇ

Πρεσβύτας  [The]  aged  [men] 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: πρεσβευτής 
Sense: an old man, an aged man.
νηφαλίους  sober-minded 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: νηφαλέος 
Sense: sober, temperate.
εἶναι  are  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
σεμνούς  dignified 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: σεμνός  
Sense: august, venerable, reverend.
σώφρονας  self-controlled 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: σώφρων  
Sense: of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses.
ὑγιαίνοντας  sound 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὑγιαίνω  
Sense: to be sound, to be well, to be in good health.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πίστει  in  faith 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
ἀγάπῃ  in  love 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀγάπη  
Sense: brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence.
ὑπομονῇ  in  endurance 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ὑπομονή  
Sense: steadfastness, constancy, endurance.