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than sophron. It means temperate specially in respect to wine. They are to be grave
(semnos). The word occurs in I Tim. 3: 8, 11 and Phil. 4: 8 where it is translated
honest. The noun semnotes is found in I Tim. 2: 2. It occurs in 3: 4, and Titus 2: 7
where it is rendered gravity.
This is as likely to be misunderstood as the word sophron, usually translated sober. It
is derived from sebomai to worship or reverence, and it indicates a dignity or character
that merits respect, not one that is long faced and miserable. Such would always be
serious in purpose though not necessarily always serious in demeanour. They too must
be `discreet, sound in faith, in love, in endurance'. The aged women in deportment are to
be as becomes saints, not slanderers not enslaved to much wine but teachers of beautiful
things (literally), that they may school the young women to be lovers of their husbands
and children, discreet, chaste, workers at home, obedient to their own husbands, so that
the Word of God be not till spoken of.
The A.V. translates the Greek blasphemetai literally, `that the word of God be not
blasphemed'. This occurs twice in this epistle, which the structure throws into relief. Its
second occurrence is in chapter 3: 2: `put them in remembrance . . . . . to speak evil of
no man.' In English we keep the word blaspheme to impious words against God, but this
context shows it is possible to blaspheme one another. Parkhurst's definition of this
word is "to hurt or wound a person's reputation by evil reports". Alas, what terrible
damage the little member called the tongue can do if it is not controlled by grace! The
Apostle James vividly portrays what unsanctified speech can lead to:
"Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a
matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue
among our member, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of
nature; and it is set on fire of hell . . . . . the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil,
full of deadly poison" (James 3: 5-8).
Paul knew what it was to suffer by the evil reports, spread about by others. In
Rom. 3: 8 he declares he was `slanderously reported' (blasphemoumetha). He uses the
word again when he says, `being defamed, we intreat' (I Cor. 4: 130.
Growth in grace and progression to maturity or perfection (Heb 6: 1) is marked not
only by controlled action, but by controlled speech.
"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect (mature) man, and able also to
bridle the whole body" (James 3: 2).
The Lord Jesus said in a solemn context: "But I say unto you, that every idle word that
men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matt. 12: 36).
The word idle is argos which means literally `not working', or non-productive, that is, of
good.
Again in James 1: 26 we are reminded that:
"If any many among you seem to be religious, and bridelth not his tongue . . . . . this
man's religion is vain."