Sobriety is not some special and unique requirement expected from an elite group of believers, but rather it serves as the expectation of the Lord for all who have called upon His name in salvation. Certainly God expects sobriety from the leaders in the New Testament church (1 Timothy 3:2, 11; Titus 1:8), but He also expects it from the women (1 Timothy 2:9), the aged men (Titus 2:2), the young women (Titus 2:4), and the young men (Titus 2:6). No group is exempt! If this were not enough, the apostle Paul made an open appeal for sobriety to all believers collectively (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; Titus 2:12). Simon Peter seemed a bit more adamant when he demanded sobriety from his audience (1 Peter 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8).
The passage may appear to directly equate obedience and submission together, but each word conveys a separate and distinct concept. Although today's passage includes both obedience and submission, it is important to recognize that these two words involve separate acts. Earlier studies noted a twofold definition of obedience: first, having an attentive ear, followed by acting upon what has been said. Dividing submission into two parts helps to better understand it too (sub + mission). The prefix sub means under (thus a submarine travels under the water), and the root word mission means to be sent out. Obedience, therefore, emphasizes the act of hearing and doing, while submission emphasizes the act of placing oneself under the authority of another.
