SATURDAY August 2, 2025
The Godly Behavior of Older Men
...that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience....
Titus 2:2
Paul had endured so much as a Christian, and now, aged, he sought to strengthen Titus, a younger man, in the faith. He taught Titus a doctrinal foundation on how to teach the older men to behave in the church. They should achieve a level of maturity in their walk with the Lord. Older men were held to account. They had a great deal of responsibility in the church, especially in regard to being an example to the younger men.
Paul formulated a list of behaviors that older men should have through the power of the Holy Spirit. Titus was to teach men to have these marks of maturity in their lives: sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience. Although young, Titus was called to teach all these qualities to the older men. Paul’s list of expectations for older men began with the word sober, meaning “temperate.” They must be reverent. This refers to them being “honest.” They behaved with “gravity” and a “dignified seriousness.” Once again, we see the word temperate. They have the God-given ability “to curb their desires and impulses.” They were described as having self-control, and being sound of faith. This term actually means “healthy in the faith.” Paul set a high standard for older men. They were to be free from any scriptural error to remain strong in the faith.
Love and patience were added to the list of behaviors for the older men. Instead of becoming ill-tempered and easily irritated, they were to exhibit Christ-like qualities of love and patience toward people. This can be difficult for most of us, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible.
Usually, mature men have a good knowledge of the Scriptures. They have gained wisdom and possess an unwavering faith in what the Bible teaches. In the church, these men are committed to Christ. Their youthful mistakes become lessons to strengthen others. Older men are useful; they can readily pour themselves into the younger men.
None of us can come to the highest maturity without enduring the summer heat of trials.
~Charles Spurgeon~
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