But opening his house freely to guests; a lover of what is good, serious-minded, upright, holy, self-controlled;

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness [Christlike in character].

to be serious, pure, home keepers, kind, and subordinate to their husbands, so as not to cause God's message to suffer reproach.

To the young men give orders to be wise and serious-minded:

and above all make your own life a pattern of right conduct, having in your teaching no taint of insincerity, but a serious tone,

training us to renounce godless ways and worldly passions, and live serious, upright, and godly lives in this world,

And without faith it is not possible to be well-pleasing to him, for it is necessary for anyone who comes to God to have the belief that God is, and that he is a rewarder of all those who make a serious search for him.

But the end of all things is near: so be serious in your behaviour and keep on the watch with prayer;

I who am myself one of the rulers of the church, and a witness of the death of Christ, having my part in the coming glory, send this serious request to the chief men among you:

Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food;

I correct and discipline those whom I love, so be serious and repent!