The word translated “self-controlled” can also be translated “sober” (Wycliffe), “sober-minded”(NKJV), and “sensible” (NASB). The idea is that young men think wisely before they take action, show proper restraint in the face of all the temptations that the world has to offer, and live in a manner that intentionally seeks to serve the eternal interests of the Lord.

In the middle of his very practical pastoral letter to Titus, Paul encourages him to instruct the different age and gender groups in the church. He will get to the young men. Yet to lead into this discussion, he first tells Titus, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1).

The word “sound” he uses is an interesting one. This word has the idea of soundness such as someone being in good health. Paul is telling Titus that he needs to teach the things which are correcting in nature, that bring sound health to a soul, much like a doctor ordering a patient with a poor heart to make diet and lifestyle changes.

Also, as this word is an instrumental dative participle form of a verb in the Greek, Paul is wanting Titus to have an active sense with his instruction. He is exhorting Titus to make his own teaching lively. He does not want Titus to teach a dead orthodoxy, but encourage the church toward the dynamic life change that the gospel is to bring to congregations.

He then gives Titus instructions on how to teach the older men, older women, younger women, and then younger men in the church at Crete. To the first three groups, he offers each of them five or six various character qualities and duties for them to follow. But for the young guys, he focuses laser-like on the singular target of what is needed in their lives:

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

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