The Pulpit Commentary on Titus 1:8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Given to for a lover of, A.V.; good for good men, A.V.; sober-minded for sober, A.V. Given to hospitality ( φιλόξενον); 1 Timothy 3:2, note. A lover of good ( φιλάγαθον) see 2 Timothy 3:3, note on ἀφιλάγαθον.

Only here in the New Testament, and only once in the LXX., Wis. 7:22, where it seems to mean "a lover of that which is good," and where the long string of adjectives is very similar to that here; found occasionally in classical Greek.

Sober-minded ( σώφρονα); see Titus 2:2, Titus 2:5, and 1 Timothy 3:2, note. The rendering "discreet" in Titus 2:5 (A.V.) expresses the meaning very well. Just, holy. δίκαιος is usually considered as describing that side of a good man's character which is in relation to his fellow-men, and ὅσιος that side which has respect to God.

Joseph was δίκαιος (Matthew 1:19) in his conduct towards Mary; the Lord Jesus was God's Holy One ( τὸν ὅσιόν σου). In classical Greek the words are more commonly applied to things. ὅσια καὶ δίκαια are things sanctioned by Divine and human laws respectively.

Temperate ( ἐγκρατῆ); only here in the New Testament, and never in this sense in the LXX.; but it has exactly the same meaning in Aristotle, viz. "master of one's self," having the appetites under control.

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