“Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled,” (Titus 2:6 ESV).
The church is to be engaged in multi-generational life. While there may be particular emphasis placed on certain age group ministries in any given week, the church must not exclude any age group from any other. All generations in the church must be involved with each other. Examples include men and women’s ministries, AWANA, youth groups, Sunday school and Adult Bible Fellowships.
The Apostle Paul focused on healthy church behavior involving typical people groups in the church. He gave special attention to age and gender. We studied the importance of older men, older women, and younger women. Today, we examine the importance of younger men.
The phrase younger men refer to those who are twelve and older in age. Paul instructed Titus that those in this category should fulfill their God-given expectations.
The Scriptures has much to say about young men. Here is a sampling.
1 Timothy 4:12 – “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”
Proverbs 7:1- “My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.”
Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.”
2 Timothy 2:22 – “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
The Apostle Paul wanted Titus to have an active ministry to younger men. He instructed him to urge (παρακάλει; parakalei) younger men to be something. The word urge is a present, active imperative verb. Titus was to command these men to be self-controlled.
Self-control (σωφρονεῖν; sōphronein) means to be sober-minded or seriously minded. This is a present, active infinitive verb. This discipline of character is to a consistent part of the young man’s life.
Of all the things the Apostle Paul could have said to Titus about younger men, he emphasized their need for self-control. Why?
“Self-mastery in the Christian sense has an element of humility lacking in the Greek moralists. It (self-control) is, in fact, an essentially religious conception in the New Testament,” explains commentator Donald Guthrie.
“Young men receive only one word of exhortation: “Encourage the young men to be self-controlled” (v 6). But that does cover the temptations young men face! Lust, ambition, impatience—all require a response of self-control,” states commentator Tim Chester.
Pray for the young men in your family and church family. Pray that they would be men of self-control in a culture which encourages wild abandon. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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