As we continue to make our study through Titus we will find instruction that is directed to specific groups of people. In Titus 2:2 he starts with the aged men. This Greek word for aged means old. He was not referring to those who were elders or leaders, but to all Christian men who were of an age to exhibit maturity. He then begins to give us a description of character traits that should define their behavior.
Titus 2:2 “That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”
The first mention is of being sober. This word in the original language means to be vigilant. He is careful to control his conduct. He is on guard against sin or actions or attitudes that could be misunderstood as sinful. He is reasonable. He is not controlled by his passions. He yields to nothing that would cloud his thinking, such as alcohol or other abusive substances.
He is also grave in his behavior. He is serious-minded, especially when it comes to the things of God. In Acts 6:3, the word grave is translated as an honest report. There it is used to describe men qualified to be deacons to take care of the needs of the congregation. The aged man should be one of respect. His behavior should automatically cause others to respect him.
Act 6:3 “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”
Temperate is the character trait next on the list for aged men. This is the ability to rule his behavior. He is self-controlled. He doesn’t fly off the handle as one does with a short fuse. He is moderate and discreet in his behavior. A person who has little or no self-control is a selfish person. They feel they have the right to have things a certain way and when that doesn’t happen they express their anger. It is usually loud and sudden. To be a truly self-controlled person a man needs to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. His life is no longer about him, but about the one he serves.
This aged man is also sound in his faith. He does not allow the ideas and opinions of others to dictate what he believes or practices. His thinking and practices are based on the word of God. For the word of God to be his guide he must spend time in the word. He studies and applies what he reads. His desire is to exemplify Christ in all he does. His faith is sound because it is grounded in the Bible. If God’s word says it, he intends to keep it. This does not mean that he doesn’t fail, all men fail from time to time but it does mean when he fails his first action is to repent. Psalms 1:1-2 gives us a good picture of his faith. He is delighted in the law of the Lord and he meditates on it. God’s word is precious to him.
Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
The aged man who is mature in the Lord is also charitable. The word for charity here means love. The Greek word is agape, this is the highest form of love. It is the love God has for us, but we are to have this kind of love for Him and others. This kind of love has overcome the passions of young adulthood that sometimes drive men to be envious or mean-spirited to others. It is a giving kind of love to all. It is not just an emotional feeling, but it is a love that takes care of the needs of others. It is a benevolent love. Charity is love that takes action.
Last on this list that should characterize the aged godly man is patience. Probably the hardest attribute to master is patience. You don’t have patience as a guiding character trait until you have had many trials where patience is needed. The only way you can gain patience and exhibit patience properly is to understand that God is in control and He knows what is best for us. He loves us greater than anyone ever could. He created us and He has kept us in His care. For those who are His, He is conforming us through every situation to the image of His dear Son. These truths meditated on will supply our need for patience.
These six character traits are noble and allow others to see God working in those who exhibit them. Each attribute, to be “sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience,” should be something each of us strives for. How do you measure up in these areas? It is definitely something to think about and a tool by which we can all access our own walk with the Lord.
