Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

If you were asked to make a list of the personal virtues of the ideal older man, then you would be hard-pressed to find a better starting point than the list the Apostle Paul gives us in our verse for today. Paul just got done telling Titus that he should “teach what accords with sound doctrine,” (Titus 2:1). Significantly, his list is the first example he gives of such teaching.

Older men should be “sober-minded.” What does this mean? It certainly means that older men should not get drunk, but it goes beyond that basic understanding. Young men tend to be careless, thoughtless, and insensible. Older men should set an example for younger men by being careful, thoughtful, and sensible.

Older men should also be dignified. A dignified man is respectable, serious when it is called for, noble in character and bearing, and a man of distinction. An undignified man, in contrast, is indiscreet, trivial, unrefined, and a man of insignificance.

Older men should be self-controlled. Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but they still struggle with the old nature. Self-controlled men are able to keep the sinful flesh under control. They do not give in to its desires and directions easily. Instead, they follow the leading of the Spirit and reflect the fruit of the Spirit. The self-controlled man of God is a man who can be counted on to do the right thing at the right time.

Finally, older men should be sound in faith, love, and steadfastness (some translations have “patience”). Older men should be examples to the younger men of standing firm in the faith, so that the young will “no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes,” (Ephesians 4:14). Older men should also be men of love instead of men who give in to the anger and impetuous wrath of youth. And instead of allowing impatience to stampede them into the dead ends of life, they should wait steadfastly for the good things the Lord has in store.

The world respects older men who are rich, have a great job, or have high social status. But the virtues on Paul’s list are matters of character and spiritual maturity. Pray for such qualities for yourself and all the men you know, young and old.