Self-Controlled

Today's reading: Titus 2:1-15

'For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.' - Titus 2:11-12 ESV

In the fifteen verses of this chapter, Paul uses the same-ish word (sophron X2, sophroneo, sophronos) four times. Any time we see this kind of repetition in scripture, we need to lean in a little closer to see why. In each instance, the words are translated as "self-controlled" in the ESV. These words are not anywhere close to the word that Paul uses for "self-control" (enktrateia) in the fruit of the Spirit list (Galatians 5:22).

So why this word here? What's the purpose behind the repetition to Titus as he talks through the different ages of church members in Crete?

The word Paul uses for self-controlled here in Titus 2 has to do with being "sensible" or "of sound mind." It's almost like he's saying, "May they use the minds God's given them in the right way."

In Mark 5:15, we see the same word used when describing the demon-possessed man Jesus had healed:

"And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had the legion, sitting there, clothed and IN HIS RIGHT MIND, and they were afraid."

Let's get into our right minds and make more decisions that glorify Jesus every day.