Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
Parallel translations
- WEB but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled;
- KJV But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
- NKJV but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
- NASB but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined,
- NLT Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Positively, an elder is to be hospitable, a lover of good, sensible, just, holy, and self-controlled. It matters because godly leadership is shown not only in avoiding evil but in active virtue.
Overview
Having listed what an elder must not be, Paul now lists the positive character he must display. These virtues touch his relationships (hospitality, love of good), his judgment (sober-minded, fair), and his devotion to God (holy, self-controlled). Such a leader reflects the character that the gospel produces in all believers.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Tim 3:2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
- Titus 2:7In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
- 1 Kgs 5:7When Hiram received Solomon’s message, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day! He has given David a wise son over this great people!”
- 2 Cor 6:4–8Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
- 1 Th 2:10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
- 1 Tim 6:11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- 1 Tim 4:12Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- 1 Jn 3:14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.
- 1 Kgs 5:1Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.
- Amos 5:15Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
- 1 Jn 5:1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.
- 1 Sam 18:1After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself.
- Ps 16:3As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides.
- 2 Tim 3:3unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good,
- 2 Tim 2:22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
We await 'the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us' and purify a people of his own.
How Titus 1:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.