Titus 2:2

“that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;” – Titus 2:2

“that the older men be“ – in the previous verse Paul has explained to Titus that he needs to now speak – to teach proper and sound doctrine. This teaching is aimed at four groups of people. 1) older men, 2) older women, 3) younger women, 4) and younger man. In this verse, Paul is specifically addressing older men.

“sober“ – vigilant, of things free from all wine, as vessels, offerings

“reverent” – to be venerated for character, honourable

“temperate” – curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate

“sound in faith” – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health, in the faith

“sound in love” – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health, in love (agapē)

“sound in patience” – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health,  in patience (steadfastness, constancy, endurance)

Temperate, Love and Patience are all fruit of the Spirit. So in essence, Paul is highlighting the need to be born of water and the Spirit or being born again.

An application:

As an “overseer”, I pray for self-control and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit. Lord forgive me and create in me a new heart, and please make me a Born Again child of your kingdom. Amen.