The apostle wrote to the “The aged women likewise, … “ (Titus 2:3) but who are these “old women?” So, you think you know all you need to know about this group of women, but do you? If you happen to be an “older” woman today, you may once more think you know all there is to know about these women, but do you?
Here are a few points that you know but may not be thinking of as you read this article. 1) These “older” women were once teenagers; 2) these “aged women” were once young ladies falling in love with the man of their dreams; 3) these “older women” were once newly married women; 4) these “aged women” were once young women getting use to a fulltime job away from the home; 5) these “old women” were once mothers raising a family; 6) these “aged women” were once growing older and watching their child/children leaving home; 7) these “aged women” settled down to life of growing old; 8) these are Paul’s “aged women!” In other words, these “older women” were not always “older women!” Sometimes we are prone to look at the “older women” and think they have always been “aged women!” Be it known that this conclusion is far from the truth!
With the above thoughts in our minds, let us turn our attention to the words Paul used in describing these women. Paul used the following words: 1) the little word “in” is the Greek “en” and is “A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position” (Strong). This means that Paul is identifying a group of women who are “positioned” but what is this “position?” Paul’s next words are: “in a position of behaviour as becometh holiness.” Clearly not all women of any age are in this “position,” but these are the “older women” of whom Paul is addressing! This is what God expects of such “aged women!” The word “holiness” is the Greek “hieroprepes” and the English word, “holiness,” is greatly misunderstood! Here’s what Strong gives: “reverent” toward God! Then, Thayer says: “actions or sacred things to God.” It may be understood by the word “piety,” “reverence” towards God. It is a word that must not be over looked, for without “piety” (holiness) no one will see God (Heb. 12:14). All other “positions” that an “older woman” may have, are not acceptable to God! Second, Paul turns to the negatives; and the first negative is: the word the Greek: “me,” and “expresses an absolute denial; and it is used with these words: “not false accusers.” The Greek is “diabolos” and is understood in: “prone to slander, slanderous.” Putting the thoughts together: “absolutely not prone to slander or slanderous!” Second, “absolutely not enslaved to much wine.”
Now the apostle leaves the negatives and advances to the positives; first: “teachers of good things,” Thayer gives us: “teaching that which is good, a teacher of goodness.” Now Paul gives the reason for the above: “That.” This word gives the reason for what the apostle has written. It is the Greek “hina” and means: “in order that, so that.” So, what is the reason for the negatives’ and the positives just given? Paul put it this way: “That they may teach the young women to be sober.” It is hard for a person who is not “sober” to teach others to be “sober!” But what does the word “sober” mean, as it is so important? Strong says, “to make of sound mind” but Thayer gives us a little better understanding: “1) restore one to his senses 2) to moderate, control, curb, disciple 3) to hold one to his duty 4) to admonish, to exhort earnestly.” This requires much of the “older women,” if they are to be prepared and ready to obey Paul’s words! It reveals the highest of good character! Now, just what are the “aged women” to teach? 1st, “to love their husbands,” 2nd, “to love their children,” 3rd, “To be discreet,” 4th, to be “chaste,” 5th, “keepers at home,” 6th, “to be good,” and 7th, “obedient to their own husbands.” Without going into the meaning of each of these seven items, the apostle now gives the reason for the “aged women” to be of such character: “that the word of God be not blasphemed.” This may be summed up in these words: That others and this would include both 1) the outsiders and 2) other brothers and sisters; have no reason to speak against God or his word!
A woman by the time she may be rightly classified as an “aged women,” should have matured to the point that she is void of all of Paul’s negatives and pro… of all his positives points! If brief, here is “God’s woman!”
Frank R. Williams