Old Man Strong

“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness” (v2).

American culture paints the portrait of what an old man should look like. White hair (if any hair!). Pot belly. Sans-a-belt slacks. Wake up at 3am. Walk the mall. Dinner no later than 4:30pm. Endless episodes of “Matlock.” God’s Word tosses that idea in the landfill. According to Paul, spiritual seniors are nothing like that. They are in total control of their lives and passions. They are have a strong faith, a strong love, and a strong commitment. Yeah, they’re Old Man Strong.

After giving instructions to appoint spiritual leaders (Titus 1:5) and shut up false teachers (Titus 1:10-11), the Apostle Paul tells Titus to put in place a sustainable and self-replicating system of telling believers what it means to be a follower of Jesus. He begins by pumping him up to teach strong doctrine (Titus 2:2). At this point, the man from Tarsus starts giving specific examples of what that looks like for the various folks in the church. First on the list are the older men in the faith. “Older men” (v2) are dudes past halftime of life. Call them senior citizens. Call them silver-haired saints. But what every you do, DON’T call them coots or old fogies! Paul even uses this same word to describe himself in that short little note to Philemon. “I, Paul, an old man (Gr. presbutes) and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus” (Phm 9). If you’re wondering, the apostle was around 60 years old at the time he wrote to Phil. The letter to Titus is a couple of years later. Paul is clearly not taking an early retirement and moving to Florida.

From the Greek seaport of Nicopolis (Titus 3:12), the apostle tells the Big T the traits that God is growing in the older men of the church. They “are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness” (v2). He does NOT say they must be boring, irrelevant, and out of touch with reality. First, Christ calls older men to be “sober-minded.” This is the Greek word nephalios, which literally means holding no wine or being without wine. A broader meaning describes someone who behaves in a sober and restrained manner, or one who is calm and collected. An senior saint should have the strength to hold himself back. Old Man Strength.

The second trait God is growing in older men is that they be “dignified” (Gr. semnos). They are to be honorable, reverent, honest, of good character, respected, noble, and devout. You might have a picture of some stodgy codger who would have nothing to do with the riff raff. WRONG! The Lord is calling men to live lives of good character, honesty, and integrity. That takes strength. Old Man Strength.

Batting third in this senior citizen lineup is the quality of being “self-controlled” (Gr. sophron). The word literally means “to rescue the mind or desires.” In other words, someone with godly self-control has rescued their mind from its control over their life. Paul describes the ability to curb one’s desires and impulses. God gives the older man the ability to get a grip on his passions, his wants, and his desires. His emotions no longer rule his life. That takes strength. Old Man Strength.

The apostle ends with a triple crown of senior strength. “Sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness” (v2). Once again, Paul drops the word “sound” (Gr. hugiaino). While it certainly can mean something that is well-grounded, the term is more often used to describe physical health and strength. Pumped. Ripped. Yoked. And the structure of the original text tells us that it modifies faith, love, and steadfastness. Pumped up in faith. Ripped in love. Yoked in steadfastness. There’s nothing weak or wimpy here. Sure these older dudes might not be able to complete a triathlon or climb Everest (though I wouldn’t put it past them!). But their faith in Jesus looks like biggest beast at Muscle Beach. They love God and people with a strength and power. They have endurance that makes a marathoner melt. 

That takes strength. Old man strength.