In this, our sixth article on “God’s Woman,” we have reached Paul’s final words in the text under study and they are: “that the word of God be not blasphemed.” The apostle reveals to the reader the reason for all that he has written on the subject at hand. The full text reads: “That they (the “aged women,” frw) may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:4-5). This brings us to the word “that,” which is the beginning of the last phase of the text. Why is this word so important to the text?
The word “that,” which introduces the last phrase in the text, is the Greek “hint” and it means: “that, in order that, so that” (Thayer). However, Strong would add to Thayer, this: “in order that (denoting the purpose or the result).” Therefore, all that the apostle has written on the subject before us, has been to reveal the purpose; the reason the qualities have been listed, is for the reason, “that the word of God be not blasphemed.” The Holy Spirit in having Paul write the qualifies, the “aged women” are to have and to teach the “young women,” is for the purpose “that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Keep in mind, when God’s word is “blasphemed,” so is God “blasphemed!”
Just what does this word, “blasphemed,” mean? It is the Greek “blasphemeo,” and Thayer gives: “1) to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme 2) to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at.” Is this anyway you would desire that God and his word, be spoken of? Not if you are a child of God! As it is the word of God that has given the terms by which we become a child of God! Do you want these terms “to be evil spoken of?” Remember what Peter wrote, which was noted in an earlier article in this series, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth …” (1 Pet. 1:22). The “truth” is the word of God revealed by the Holy Spirit! It is the truth of which Jesus said: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Thayer gives us this, as he defines the words “shall make you free:” “1) to make free 2) set at liberty: from the dominion of sin.” Do you, and this is asked of all, not just the “younger women,” have any desire that the word of your freedom from the wages of sin be reviled (Rom. 6:23)?
“God’s woman,” stands out in a crowd of women! Here we may also say, that all Christians stand out in a crowd of their fellows! I know you may have been wondering when the words of Solomon would be used; well, here they are in all their beauty: “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Pro. 31:10-31). In these words, we have “God’s woman” both the “aged” and the “younger” women!
In these six articles, I have tried to in my feeble efforts, to bring before the reader, “God’s woman!” These six articles are my first ever to write on this subject. I trust that they have been an encouragement to my sisters in Christ. Please notice that the “young women” have now become the “aged women” and the circle continues! She is so different from the women of the world! She may even stand out as a “knot on log” to some, but there she stands in her beauty, as the word of God has lifted her up! May the word of God never be blasphemed because of her: “God’s woman,” and because of the action of any of us!
Frank R. Williams