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Titus 2:2-5

that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance: and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good, that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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But say the things which fit sound doctrine, that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance: and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good, that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded. In all things be showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, be showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting, not stealing, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance:

    and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good,

    that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children,

    to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    That the elder men be sober honest discrete sounde in the fayth in love and in paciece.

    And the elder weme lykewyse that they be in soche rayment as becommeth holynes not falce accusars not geven to moche drinkynge but teachers of honest thynges

    to make the younge wemen sobremynded to love their husbandes to love their children

    to be discrete chast huswyfly good and obediet vnto their awne husbandes that the worde of god be not evyll spoken of.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    That the elder men be watchful, graue, teperate, sounde in the faith, in loue, and in patience:

    The elder women likewise, that they be in such behauiour as becommeth holinesse, not false accusers, not subiect to much wine, but teachers of honest things,

    That they may instruct the yong women to be sober minded, that they loue their husbands, that they loue their children,

    That they be temperate, chaste, keeping at home, good and subiect vnto their husbands, that the word of God be not euill spoken of.

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Cross-references (62)

  • Proverbs 31:10-31 (v5) Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. She…
  • Titus 2:4 (v3) that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children,
  • Colossians 3:18 (v5) Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
  • Galatians 5:23 (v2) gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
  • 1 Timothy 3:11 (vv2–3) Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, and faithful in all things.
Show all 60 cross-references
  • 1 Timothy 5:10 (v5) being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet,…
  • 1 Timothy 5:14 (v4) I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.
  • 1 Peter 3:1-5 (v5) In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of…
  • 1 Peter 3:3-5 (v3) Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; but…
  • Genesis 3:16 (v5) To the woman he said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. You will bear children in pain. Your desire will be for your…
  • 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (v3) In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not just with braided hair, gold, pearls,…
  • 1 Timothy 5:13-14 (v5) Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which…
  • 1 Peter 4:7 (v2) But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
  • Ephesians 5:22-24 (v5) Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the…
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (v2) But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
  • 1 Peter 5:8 (v2) Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
  • Job 12:12 (v2) With aged men is wisdom, in length of days understanding.
  • Proverbs 16:31 (v2) Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
  • 1 Timothy 3:2 (v2) The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
  • Titus 1:7 (v3) For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for…
  • Titus 1:13 (v2) This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
  • Proverbs 7:11 (v5) She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.
  • Romans 12:3 (v2) For I say through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;…
  • Ephesians 5:33 (v5) Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
  • 1 Timothy 5:2 (v4) the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
  • 1 Timothy 3:8 (vv2–3) Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money,
  • Genesis 18:9 (v5) They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said, “There, in the tent.”
  • Leviticus 19:32 (v2) “ ‘You shall rise up before the gray head and honor the face of the elderly; and you shall fear your God. I am Yahweh.
  • Psalms 92:14 (v2) They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green,
  • Acts 9:36 (v5) Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of…
  • Romans 16:2 (v3) that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she…
  • Philippians 4:8 (v2) Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever…
  • 1 Timothy 3:4 (v2) one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;
  • 1 Timothy 5:5-10 (v3) Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. But she who…
  • Titus 1:8 (v2) but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled,
  • 1 Corinthians 15:34 (v2) Wake up righteously, and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
  • Ephesians 5:3 (v3) But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (v2) so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober.
  • 1 Timothy 1:5 (v2) but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith,
  • 1 Timothy 6:1 (v5) Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be…
  • Titus 2:7 (v2) In all things be showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, be showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,
  • 1 Peter 1:13 (v2) Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of…
  • 2 Peter 1:6 (v2) and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control perseverance; and in perseverance godliness;
  • Genesis 16:8-9 (v5) He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where did you come from? Where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the face of my mistress…
  • 2 Samuel 12:14 (v5) However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh’s enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you will surely…
  • Isaiah 65:20 (v2) “No more will there be an infant who only lives a few days, nor an old man who has not filled his days; for the child will die one hundred…
  • Mark 5:15 (v2) They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and…
  • Luke 8:35 (v2) People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet,…
  • Acts 9:39 (v5) Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing…
  • Acts 24:25 (v2) As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time,…
  • Romans 2:24 (v5) For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:25 (v2) Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an…
  • 1 Corinthians 11:3 (v5) But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:13 (v2) For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.
  • Psalms 74:10 (v5) How long, God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever?
  • 1 Timothy 2:11-12 (v5) Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be…
  • 1 Timothy 5:11 (v4) But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
  • Hebrews 5:12 (v3) For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the…
  • Revelation 2:20 (v3) But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to…
  • 1 Corinthians 14:34 (v5) Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says,

60 distinct cross-references across this passage (62 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (20 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv2–5 2. That aged men be sober He begins with…

2. That aged men be sober He begins with particular duties, that the discourse may be better adapted to the instruction of the people. And he does so, not only that he may accommodate himself to their capacity, but that he may press every one more closely; for a general doctrine produces a less powerful impression; but when by holding out a few cases, he has instructed every person about his duty, there is no one who may not easily conclude, that the Lord has sufficiently instructed him as to the work in which he ought to be employed. We must not therefore, look for a regular method here; for Paul’s design was only to state briefly what were the subjects concerning which godly teachers ought to speak, and not to undertake to treat largely of those subjects.

“Aged men” are mentioned by him in the first place. He wishes them to be “sober,” because excessive drinking is a vice too common among the old. Gravity, which he next mentions, is procured by well-regulated morals. Nothing is more shameful than for an old man to indulge in youthful wantonness, and, by his countenance, to strengthen the impudence of the young. In the life of old men, therefore, let there be displayed σεμνότης “a becoming gravity,” which shall constrain the young to modesty. This will be followed chiefly by temperance, which he immediately adds.

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Sound in faith I do not know whether the word “sound” or “healthy” contains an indirect allusion to the various diseases of old men, with which he contrasts this health of the soul; at least, I think so, though I do not affirm it. With good reason does he include in these three parts — faith, love, patience — the sum of Christian perfection. By faith we worship God; for neither calling upon him, nor any exercises of godliness, can be separated from it. Love extends to all the commandments of the second table. Next follows patience as the seasoning of “faith” and “love;” for without “patience” faith would not long endure, and many occurrences are taking place every day — instances of unhandsome conduct or evil temper, which irritate us so much that we should not only be languid, but almost dead, to the duties of love towards our neighbor, if the same “patience” did not support us.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv2, 5 What are the chiefest virtues for old and young,…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–5 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate,…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv2–5 That the aged men be sober: by the word…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv2–3 By aged men, we may understand all ancient men…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–5 And the aged women likewise,.... Speak also to them…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Vigilant - As veteran soldiers, not easily to be…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Verse 2. That the aged men be sober] It…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v3 Tit 2:3-6. The aged women likewise — All of…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv2–5 That the aged men - All aged men -…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Be sober. The Greek Fathers, Theodoret, and Theophylactus, translate…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2–5 sober--Translated "vigilant," as sober men alone can be (Ti1…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv2–5 2. Sober—The opposite of all extravagance of conduct or…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–5 2. the aged men] Better, aged men; here of…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–5 (2) That the aged men.—Not presbyters, or elders, in…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Aged for the aged, A.V; temperate for sober, A.V;…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv2–3 That the aged men be sober
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv2–5 2. That the aged men be sober. Not given…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v4 Tit_2:4. That they may teach.—R.V. “may train.” The word…
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v3 Teach older women likewise
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