Temperate (3524) (nephalios from nepho [word study] = to be sober, free of intoxicants, wineless and thus sober in judgment) strictly speaking means "holding no wine" (without wine). Figuratively nephalios speaks of complete clarity of mind and resulting good judgment. It describes one who is watchful to remain free from the intoxicating effects of the world, the flesh and the devil and therefore they seek to continually remain circumspect, sober, and vigilant. A temperate attitude is to be the older man's lifestyle. Old men should have learned what are and what are not godly (God pleasing) pleasures. They should have learned by now that the passing pleasures of sin (He 11:25-note) and of self-indulgence cost far more than they are worth. The "dividends" of vice are not worth the "investment" Ralph Earle writes that nephalios was first used literally to describe drink which was "unmixed with wine." The ancient Greeks used to give to the Muses offerings of water, milk, and honey. It was forbidden to mix wine with these. The prohibitions went a step further: the wood burned with the sacrifices must not include the twigs of grapevines. There must not be the slightest contact with that which caused drunkenness. (Word Meanings in the New Testament) A temperate person avoids excess, extravagance and over-indulgence of appetites and passions. Someone has well said that we should never expect to govern others until we have learned to govern ourselves! Convicted? I am! The temperate older man is able to discern more clearly which things are of the greatest importance and value. He uses his time, his money, and his energy more carefully and selectively than when he was younger and less mature. His priorities are in the right order, and he is satisfied with fewer and simpler things. In this area of "self mastery" or self control, there is always the subtle danger of falling into the trap of legalism. Along that line I think D G Kehl's advice is spot on... The beginning of self-mastery is to be mastered by Christ, to yield to His Lordship. True spiritual self-discipline holds believers in bounds but never in bonds; its effect is to enlarge, expand and liberate. Comment: Saying "Yes" to Jesus (and His Spirit) each morning makes it much easier to say "No" to the variegated fiery missiles of temptation which fly into our eyes, ears, heart and mind each day. In fact, if we would guarding our hearts well, we must begin with assiduously guarding our eyes and ears. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said... The great need in the Christian life is for self-discipline. This is not something that happens to you in a meeting; you have got to do it! W E Vine... nephalios primarily has to do with abstinence from strong drink; it acquired, however, the more general sense of soberness in disposition....It conveys partly the idea of watchfulness, but the meaning is that of freedom from excitability as well as from credulity. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson or Logos) John MacArthur notes that... While it is true that wine “makes man’s heart glad” (Ps. 104:15), it also has the potential for great harm. That is why it was commonly diluted with water in biblical times. Even so, it retained its potential for harm to those who drank it unmixed or to excess. Proverbs 20:1 warns, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” Proverbs 23:29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 graphically describes one snared by wine. Noah (Ge 9:20—27) and Amnon (2Sa 13:28, 29) are examples of those affected by wine. Leviticus 10:9 forbids priests from drinking wine when performing their priestly duties. Those taking a Nazarite vow also could not drink wine (Num. 6:3). Kings and other rulers were to abstain from drinking (Pr. 31:4), because it could dull their senses and affect their judgment. In a metaphorical sense, nephalios means “alert,” “watchful,” “vigilant,” or “clearheaded.” That may be its primary sense in this passage. A leader must be one who thinks clearly. He must possess the inner strength to refrain from any excess that would dull his alertness. William Hendriksen writes, “His pleasures are not primarily those of the senses … but those of the soul” (New Testament Commentary: The Pastoral Epistles [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981], 122). Temperate men are desperately needed in today’s church. They will be to her what the sons of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12:32 were to Israel, “men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do.” (MacArthur, John: 1Timothy Moody Press or Logos or Wordsearch) Augustine who had entered into the Spirit given victory over sexual lusts (see note) said... Conquer yourself and you have conquered the world. Webster's definition of temperate - Not excessive. Moderate in the indulgence of the appetites and passions; as temperate in eating and drinking; temperate in pleasures; temperate in speech. Cool; calm; not marked with passion; not violent; as a temperate discourse or address; temperate language. Free from ardent passion. The point that the Pastorals make here is that the Christian must allow himself no indulgence which would lessen his Christian vigilance or soil his Christian conduct. Bauernfeind writes The reference is to the clarity and self-control necessary for sacred ministry in God's work (TDNT, 4:941). Bernard says Primarily having reference to sobriety in the case of wine, it has here the more extended sense of temper-ate. Spurgeon comments that... Among the heathen, old men often gave themselves up to drunkenness and gluttony; so now, this is the teaching that is to be given to aged Christian men. They need faith, love, and patience, as well as the virtues of sobriety, gravity, and temperance. The infirmities of old age often create petulance, so the grace of God is to make the venerable Christian to be full of faith, love, and patience. Nephalios - 3x in 3v - 1Ti 3:2, 11; Titus 2:2 1 Timothy 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 1 Timothy 3:11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/titus_21-10.htm#t