Introduction to the Young People on Being Sober-Minded

Paul, the aged, is here directing Titus, a young minister, whom he calls his own son in the common faith, what subjects to preach upon; in the choice of which, ministers have need of wisdom—should pray for wisdom— and take direction from this and other Scripture-directories.

In general, he must ‘speak the things which become sound doctrine’ (v. 1). He must preach the doctrine of Christ—the truth as it is in Jesus—the great mystery of godliness; that is sound, or wholesome doctrine, which is good for food, spiritual food, with which souls are nourished (1 Tim. 4:6), and is good for medicine too; it is healing doctrine, as it speaks pardon of sin to those that complain of the terror of guilt, and promises power against sin to those that complain of the strength of corruption; and, blessed be God, this sound, this healing doctrine, is preached to you in its purity, and, I hope, in its power, in season and out of season.

But this is not all, he must speak other things which become sound doctrine, opposed to those Jewish fables and commandments of men, with which they of the circumcision corrupted the doctrine of Christ (1:10,14). The best way to guard against these, will be to preach the duties of Christianity with the doctrines of it —the “truth which is after godliness” (1:1).

Practical religion, which regulates and governs the heart and life, is that which becomes the doctrine of Christianity—which it becomes the teachers of that doctrine to preach, and both they and the professors of that doctrine to make conscience of. The “grace of God, that brings salvation, teacheth us”—and therefore the ministers of the word of that grace must teach you— and all that hope for that salvation must learn “to deny ungodliness, and worldly fleshly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly.” Right notions will not serve without good morals.

Titus is here particularly directed to preach upon the duties required from Christians of each sex, and each age of life. He must teach aged men how they ought to carry themselves, so as that their “hoary head,” being found in the way of righteousness, might be “a crown of glory” to them (v. 2). And the aged women likewise (v. 3), that they may teach the young women (v. 4). And here, in my text, he is directed what application to make to young men.

Thus particular should ministers be in their preaching, that they may, as far as may be, reach everyone’s case, which is the likeliest way to reach everyone’s conscience. Thus ministers must endeavor rightly to divide the Word of truth, and as wise and faithful stewards in God’s house, to give every one their portion of meat in due season. And, oh that every one would take their portion, and feed upon it, and digest it; and instead of saying, “This was for such a one,” would learn to say, “This is for me!”

In dealing with young men, he is here directed to exhort them. He must instruct them what to do, that they might know their duty; he must put them in mind of it, that they might know it, when they had occasion to do it; he must excite and stir them up to it, and urge it upon them with motives and arguments; and he must encourage them in the doing of it, and comfort them that they might go on in it cheerfully. All this is included in the word here used for exhorting them; and there is need for all this, and all is little enough; for some are ignorant, and need to be taught—others are careless, and need to be quickened; some think their duty an indifferent thing, and on such we must press the command which makes it necessary— others think it an impracticable thing, and to such we must preach the grace that makes it easy.

In pressing practical godliness, it is hard to say which is more merciful— persuasion or direction; and which will be more serviceable to our end—good rules, to show us what we should do— or good reasons, to convince us that it is our duty and interest to do it. Perhaps some stand in more need of the one, some of the other; and Scripture furnishes us with abundant matter for both, enough to furnish the man of God for every good word of this kind.

The original word might properly be rendered, to call to or call upon, and this is the work of ministers to be your monitors. We call to you, we call upon you, frequently, and with importunity, and as we see occasion, to mind your duty and not to trifle in it, to take heed of sin and not expose yourselves to it. This is the word behind you, which is promised, which shall say, “This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left” (Is. 30:21).

Titus must exhort them in his public preaching, and in that must choose out words to reason with them. The rulers of the Jewish synagogue, after the reading of the laws and prophets in the assembly, on the Sabbath, desired of Paul a “word of exhortation for the people” (Acts 13:15), and public exhortations to those of one age, relation, or condition, may be of use to others, who are not to sit by as unconcerned, but some way or other to accommodate it to themselves, for what we say unto some, we say unto all.

Yet this was not enough, he must exhort them in his personal converse with them—must visit them at their houses, and there give them this admonition—must give it in particular manner to those that he saw needed it— give it with application—in this and the other instance, you must be of a better spirit, and carry it better. When he was in company with young men, he must be giving them good advice, and instead of allowing himself to be vain as they were, endeavor to make them grave as he was.

Ministers must preach not only in the pulpit, but out of it, their converse must be a constant sermon, and in that they may be more particular in the application, and descend to persons and cases better than they can in their public ministry. Those ministers who complain they would do this statedly and solemnly, but cannot bring it to bear, can yet have no excuse for not doing it occasionally when it comes in their way, nor would seek an excuse if they had but a heart to it.

That which he must exhort them to, is to be sober-minded. All the law that concerns them in particular, is summed up in this one word, exhort them to be sober-minded. It is a very significant, comprehensive word; and has in it a check to all the ill habits and ill courses that are so mischievous and ruining to young people. The word speaks the duty of young men, but it is likewise twice used in the directory for young women, “That they may teach the young women to be sober” (v. 4), that they may sober the young women, may give them such instructions and examples as may help to make them sober; and again, that they may teach them to be discreet (v. 5); so that it is the duty of young women, as well as young men, to be sober-minded. It is an exhortation proper for both the sexes of that age; and it is my exhortation to all of that age, that are within hearing today; I “beseech you suffer this word of exhortation”; reject it at your peril, for if it comes from God, it is your utmost peril to refuse it.

Rev. Matthew Henry (1662–1714) was a Bible commentator. This article was extracted from, “The Young Christian.”

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