Titus 2:3-5

Passage

Likewise, older women are to be devout in their conduct, neither slanderers nor slaves to too much wine, and teachers of what is right in order that they should instruct the younger women to be lovers of their husbands, lovers of their children, sensible, without defect, caring for their home, good-natured, submitting to their husbands, in order that the word of God should not be blasphemed.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As with the older men, Paul also gives two sets of advice to the older women.  They are to be devout in their conduct, they are to avoid slander (gossip, lies, etc), and they are not to consume too much wine.  Again, we see Paul focusing on behavior that is directed towards self-control and community development.  Devout behavior will set an example for others.  Refraining from slander will help keep the community united.  Abstaining from too much wine will help keep the reputation of the woman intact.  As with the elder man, the role of the elder woman in the community of faith is largely a role of keeping the community together.

Who are the elder women in your community?  Are they women who are keeping the community together?  Are they women who are setting a good example of living in faith?  What is your relationship to them?

Second Thought:

The second piece of advice that Paul gives the elder women is that of instruction.  They are to teach the younger women to be lovers of their husbands and their children.  Notice that this is a skill to be taught.  Sometimes husbands and children are too difficult to love through natural ability.  That’s just a reality; the elder women can attest to this fact and they can help teach a younger woman to love even when natural desire to love fails.  The elder women are to teach the younger women how to care for their family.  In other words, they are to keep their family together as practice for when they mature and are called upon to keep the whole faith community together.  Finally, the elder women are to teach the younger women how to live without defect, how to be good-natured, and how to submit.  In other words, they are to teach the younger women how to be like Christ.

Have you learned these lessons?  Who are the elder women who spoke these lessons into your life?  How can we come alongside our elder women and support them in this role?

Third Thought:

Paul ends this section by stating the reason for all of these things to happen.  We do not want the Word of God to be blasphemed.  We do not want to find ourselves on the wrong side of God’s Word.  It is easy to mess up; therefore we need mentors like the elder men and women to help us stay on the correct path.  Those people in our life who fill these roles of the elders are gems among us.

What can you do to become one of these gems among the community as you gain life experience?  How does it make you feel to realize that as you develop into one of these elders you are helping to prevent the blasphemy of God’s own Word?

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 2:6-7