Charles Ellicott Commentary Titus 1:8

"but given to hospitality, as lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled;" — Titus 1:8 (ASV)

But a lover of hospitality.—It has been suggested that this hospitality would be especially shown in the early centuries of Christianity, when Christians travelling from one place to another were received kindly and forwarded on their journey by their fellow believers; but the direction of St. Paul has that broader significance, so beautifully worded in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where we are told not to be forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).

A lover of good men.—Although this rendering is possible, it is better to understand the Greek word here as alluding to a virtue differing from the “hospitality” just mentioned. “A lover of good,” or benevolence generally; the designation points here to that large heart which finds room for sympathy with all that is good and noble and generous.

Sober.—Better rendered, self-restrained. In this expressive word (sophrona) mastery of self is especially implied—that self-command which wisely regulates pleasures and passions.

Just.—Or, righteous. The man who is just (dikaios) is one who tries strictly to perform his duties towards men—the duties which integrity and justice seem imperatively to require from him in his relations with his neighbour.

Holy.—The man who is holy strives to be true and faithful in his relations to God, which duties with us largely consist in keeping pure our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit. While the “just” man struggles after uprightness before men, the “holy” man aims at a holy purity before God.

Temperate.—This virtue is not to be understood in the usual and more limited sense which has been already specified in “not given to wine” of the preceding verse, but signifies being temperate—moderate in all things. The model presbyter, the ruler of a congregation of Christians, not only must be able to control his tongue, his eyes, his hands, but must show a just and wise moderation even in pressing for things that are in themselves excellent. To do his Master’s work efficiently, he must be able at all times to command himself—to perform that most difficult of all tasks, tempering zeal with discretion.