Titus 2:2 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Paul begins the “household code” by addressing older men. This would cover from about age forty and up because of the short life span at that time, basically when a person might become a grandparent. They were to be temperate by abstaining from wine and not getting drunk. Drinking too much wine was a problem in Cretan culture (1:12) and could lead to other behavioral problems. Older men should avoid this cultural temptation and be “sober” and clear headed. Believers must be in control of themselves and not let their bodies be intoxicated with alcohol or drugs.
Older men should be worthy of respect. They should preserve and develop a good reputation like the elder of 1:7. It takes a lifetime to develop the respect of others but only moments to lose it. Self-control results from God’s grace (2:12) and the work of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23). It is difficult to control one’s passions by one’s own power. The self must be crucified and be committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will help us through grace to develop discipline and we learn to say “yes” with the obedience of faith.
Paul gives three other essential qualities for older men to develop. Faith is trusting in God’s direction, grace, promises, and purposes for us. Sometimes these are clear, and other times they are not. God’s grace comes to us in many ways, and so our response of faith may also come in many ways. It was important for the older men to have growing faith because they were models and leaders in their families and the church. Love is how our faith in God is lived out. The older men could demonstrate their love by their obedience to God’s commands, their fellowship with other believers, and how they responded to the unbelievers around them. Endurance is patience under pressure, difficult situations, challenges, illness, temptations, and the many other things in this world that seek to compromise our faith or bring doubt. Endurance builds up hope and looks to the future and God’s promises of salvation.
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