(Tap footnote to read it. Old Testament quotations are underlined. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.1"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings – agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. )
Proper Christian conduct
- But you: speak things which are appropriate for sound doctrine.
- Old men are to be sober, dignified, self-controlled, being sound in faith, in ^love, and in perseverance.
- Likewise, aged women are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderous, nor *enslaved to much wine, but being teachers of good,
- so they might admonish1“admonish” The Greek word here more precisely means to “bring back to (good) sense” or to “make sober-minded”, often with the sense of reminding via correction. It meant to “correct,” “control,” or “moderate” in classical Greek. Thus while the common rendering of “teach” isn’t wrong, it lacks the corrective force of the original Greek word. the young women to be loving to their husbands, loving to their children,
- self-controlled, pure, workers at home, and good; submitting themselves to their own husbands so the word of God won’t be blasphemed.
- Likewise, encourage the younger men to be of sound mind.
- in all things offering yourself as an example of good works, with incorruptible purity in instruction, dignity,
- and sound speech that’s beyond reproach so the man opposing us might be turned in shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
- Slaves are to be submitted to their own masters, to be fully pleasing in all things; not contradicting,
- not embezzling, but demonstrating all good faithfulness so they might adorn the teaching of God our savior in all things.
- For the grace of God appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
- teaching us through discipline2“teaching… …through discipline” is one word in Greek. It refers to the strict rearing of children through discipline/chastisement so they reach maturity properly. Also used in Hebrews 12:7 and Luke 23:16 in a similar context. so that – having denied ungodliness and worldly cravings – we might live prudently, and righteously, and devoutly in the present age;
- eagerly awaiting the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus the Anointed.
- Who gave Himself for our sake, so He might purchase3“purchase… …back” this Greek word properly means to buy back something that was originally yours us back from all lawlessness and might cleanse a people as a possession for Himself, who are zealous for good works.
- Speak these things, and admonish and rebuke with all instruction.4“instruction” could also be translated “authority” Let no one despise you.
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