Titus 2:3

Titus 2:3-4a (ESV)

[3] Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women

 

In a previous blog I wrote about the need for believers to be living counter-culturally so that our life impacts our world with the gospel? In answering the question of what that looks like Titus 2:2 addresses older men. Titus 2:3 addresses older Women (by the way, the word here is the feminine form of the word elders). Titus 2:3-4 says, “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women . . .” Older women are to be “reverent in behavior.” That phrase means to be proper or appropriate, particularly regarding things that are holy. This is the only place this word is used in NT, but it carries a similar idea to the older men being dignified. As such, they are not to be slanderers. That is actually a word sometimes translated as “devil.” Don’t be devils. The Devil is an accuser, or slanderer. In our old age we can easily get irritable, grouchy and accusative. Don’t go there.

Older women are not to be slaves to much wine. They are not to self-medicate in their old age. They are not to self-indulge. In body and tongue they are to exercise self-control. Additionally, older women are to be teaching what is good. The phrase “teach what is good” is actually a single word. Older women are to use their influence for good, noble, and honorable purposes. They are to train younger women. The word “train” means to recall to mind or remind others. This is the only place in the New Testament where this word is used. One source said that this word, “train” in verse 4, means “being radically-moderate, [that is] living as God defines true balance.” It means that you can’t say whatever you feel like saying. Older women should have learned that, and are charged with training the younger women in this same truth. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says that we are to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Proverbs 21:3  says that, “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.” Psalm 141:3 asks God to, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth.” Older women in the church should have learned to guard their tongues, and have a responsibility to teach others that same truth.

Over the years we have had the privilege of watching and learning from a number of older women. I a previous blog I mentioned Mr. Duff. He was the National Chairman of Village Missions back when we were serving under them. Mr. Duff’s sister, Helen Duff Baugh was the founder of Christian Women’s Club. The last time we saw her, she was quite elderly and was experiencing a level of dementia. She didn’t remember us, but no matter who she talked to, she wanted to tell them about Jesus. Even with a failing mind, her heart was to share the gospel.

As we age we have a choice. We can grow brittle and bitter, or gracious and caring. We need more gracious, caring people like Helen Baugh. Whether by virtue of age, or by virtue of how long we have been believers in Jesus Christ, God challenges us as older believers in these first three verses of Titus, chapter 2, to live lives of stability, patience, and self-control. He further challenges us to train others, younger believers to live this way as well