Lessons For Groups – Part 1

(Those At An Elderly Stage / Aged Men)

(Titus 2:2)

Introduction: In chapter one Paul’s message to Titus deals primarily with church leadership. In chapter two, the church laity becomes the primary focus. A suggested division for chapter two would be...

1. Lessons For Groupsvs. 1-10

2. Lessons Of Gracevs. 11-16

The springboard for the lessons pertaining to the different groups is found in the first verse. In contrast to the deceptive and disobedient Cretans, Paul tells Titus, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1), that is, speak those things that are suitable for and indicative of healthy instruction. Paul then lists certain age specific and gender specific lessons that Titus needed to share. He needed to address...

a. Those At An Elderly Stage Of Lifevs. 2-3

b. Those At An Early Stage Of Lifevs. 4-6

The word aged in verse 2 is the Greek word presbutes or presbutees. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament states: “Hippocrates calls a man presbutees from age 49 to 56. The papyri use presbutees for an old man as in Luke 1:18 of Zacharias and in Titus 2:2.” Paul deals here with (1) the Demanded Characteristics Of Aged Men and (2) the Desired Conduct Of Aged Women.

(Titus 2:2) That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

I. Let’s Think About The Aged Men And Their Control

sober... temperate (self-controlled, discreet)

A. They Exhibit Control In Their Appetites

sober – Greek 3524. nephaleos, nay-fal'-eh-os; or nephalios, nay-fal'-ee-os; from G3525; sober, i.e. (fig.) circumspect-- vigilant.

NT:3524 means sober, temperate; abstaining from wine

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

B. They Exhibit Control In Their Attitudes

temperate – Greek 4998. sophron, so'-frone; from the base of G4982 and that of G5424; safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion):--discreet, sober,.

II. Let’s Think About The Aged Men And Their Character

grave (honorable)... sound (uncorrupt)

A. They Are Honorable Men

grave – Greek 4586. semnos, sem-nos'; from G4576; venerable, i.e. honorable:--, honest.

B. They Are Holy Men

grave – Greek 4586. semnos, sem-nos'; from G4576; venerable, i.e. honorable:--, honest.

4576. sebomai, seb'-om-ahee; mid. of an appar. prim. verb; to revere, i.e. adore:--devout, religious, worship.

III. Let’s Think About The Aged Men And Their Conviction

(Titus 2:2) That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

faith (persuasion, credence; assurance of truth)

A. There Is A Fitness In Their Faith

sound – Greek 5198. hugiaino, hoog-ee-ah'ee-no; from G5199; to have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); fig. to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine):--be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole (-some).

B. There Is A Fervor (Passion) In Their Faith

faith – Greek NT:4102; in the N.T. of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and conjoined with it:

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

IV. Let’s Think About The Aged Men And Their Charity

A. Charity Suggests That They Have A Love For Others That Is Genuine

charity – Greek 26. agape; love, affection or benevolence.

B. Charity Suggests That They Have A Love For Others That Is Generous

charity – Greek NT:26

In signification it follows the verb agapaoo; consequently it denotes:

1. affection, good-will, love, benevolence (generosity).

a. Used of the love of men to men; especially of that love of Christians toward Christians which is enjoined and prompted by their religion, whether the love be viewed as in the soul or as expressed.

b. Used of the love of men toward God.

c. Used of the love of God toward men.

d. Used of the love of God toward Christ.

e. Used of the love of Christ toward men.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

V. Let’s Think About The Aged Men And Their Constancy

(Titus 2:2) That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

A. They Are Patient In Their Purpose & Progress

patience – Greek NT:5281 (hupomenoo);

1. steadfastness, constancy, endurance;

patience (In the NT, the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.)

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

B. They Are Patient In Their Problems

patience – Greek NT:5281 (hupomenoo);

1. steadfastness, constancy, endurance;

patience (In the NT, the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.)

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

Conclusion: I remember in my early ministry an older pastor who often spoke of the fact that he would never retire, and in fact he continued to be an active pastor until his death. While it may be acceptable and even necessary in some cases to retire from one’s duties, it is never acceptable to retire from having a Godly demeanor and disposition.

14630. Deacon Was A Laborer

When Dr. John Watson was a child, he loved to see the procession of deacons at the administration of the Lord’s Supper, and one old man with very white hair and a meek, reverent face especially interested him. One day he was walking on the road and passed a man breaking stones. The white hair caught his attention, and he looked back and recognized the deacon who had carried the cup.

Full of curiosity and surprise, he told his father the strange tale. His father explained to him that the reason why the old man held so high a place in the church was that although he was one of the poorest men in all the town, he was one of the holiest. “James,” he said, “breaks stones for a living, but he knows more about God than any person I have ever met.”

—J. A. Clark