Titus 2:2
2 That the aged men [presbutes] be [einai] sober [nephaleos], grave [semnos], temperate [sophron], sound [hugiaino] in faith [pistis], in charity [agape], in
patience [hupomone]. KJV-Interlinear
2 Older men are to be temperate,
dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. NASB
Paul expresses the
three main characteristics of the spiritually mature believer. Faith, hope and love, which represent the
persons (any persons) attitude toward God, Christ, doctrine and their spiritual
life.
Faith is our belief in
that which we can not see.Hope is our
confidence in that which is promised.
Love is the content of the scriptures, the foundation upon which faith and
hope are constructed.We studied this in
1, 2, and 3rd Jn.
In addressing older
men, Paul is describing mature men, not simply men that have reach an older
age.Being old does not equate with
wisdom.Although more often than not, a
person has to live a good long time before they even begin to learn what life
is all about.And all too often people
live long lives but learn nothing.
Sober describes
prudence, vigilance, alertness, caution, carefulness.
Grave describes
honesty, honorable intentions and practices in life.
Temperate describes poise,
self control, self confidence, mild, pleasant, emotionally stable.
Sound in faith
describes a solid foundation of doctrine within ones soul, healthy,
uncorrupted.
Charity describes benevolence,
kindness, compassion, empathy.
Patience describes
tolerance, enduring, perseverance, lack of complaint, contentment.
All of these do not produce
the spiritual life, but all of these come out of an established spiritual life.
The person must develop
his or her, spiritual life first, before these characteristics become apparent
and functional.
Without doctrine anyone
can evolve into a pleasing personality, but without doctrine, no one can
maintain it.
1 Tim. 6:11
11 But
flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. NASB