Titus 2:6
What does Titus 2:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Titus 2:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Titus 2:6 means
Younger men are to be urged toward sober-mindedness—clear thinking and self-mastery. Youth brings energy and ambition, but also temptations to rashness, pride, and lust. A sound mind governs impulses and chooses what is fitting, not merely what is exciting. Paul does not multiply rules; he names the controlling virtue that undergirds many others. When a young man learns to say no to himself and yes to what is wise, he becomes useful to God and safe for others. Such steadiness protects the church and gives younger men a path to grow into the dignified strength described for older men.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To the young men give orders to be wise and serious-minded:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The younger men, in like manner, be exhorting to be sober-minded;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Young men, in like manner, exhort that they be sober.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The younger men in like manner exhort to be discreet:
Context
After addressing older believers and young women, Paul turns succinctly to young men. The brevity is deliberate: a single central call to self-control captures much of what they need. Immediately afterward, in verses 7–8, Paul places Titus forward as a living example of these qualities—good works, doctrinal integrity, and sound speech. The structure shows that exhortations are most persuasive when embodied by recognized leaders and teachers within the community.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
- Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
- Job 29:8
The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the aged rose up and stood;
- Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
- 1 Timothy 5:1
Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren:
- 1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
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