“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good.” Titus 2:3
In my last blog post on Titus 2, we talked about the characteristics of a godly older men. In this post, we’ll move on to what godliness looks like for older women.
I pray often that God would send Titus 2 older women to Mars Hill Church. We need them badly to show the younger women what it looks like to walk with Jesus for many years. Paul tells Titus there are three ways older women should conduct themselves in light of the gospel.
1. Be reverent
They are to be reverent in behavior. Reverent means older women are to be holy and set apart. Evidence should be seen in their life. It should be clear from the essence of who they are that they belong to Jesus.
2. Avoid slandering and getting drunk
Not being slanderers or getting drunk means not going around talking and drinking a lot. In Roman times, men lived shorter lives so as a result there were a lot of widows. They may have had a propensity to be depressed and go from place to place being chatty and self-medicating with alcohol. Paul says instead, a woman should worship Jesus and take the hardships of her life to him.
Slanderous is the same Greek word we use to translate Devil because Satan falsely accuses. The passage isn’t saying older women can’t be friendly, but if the gospel is working itself out in her life, she has a guarded tongue. She says things that are edifying, helpful, and encouraging.
3. Teach younger women
One of the roles of being an older woman is to teach younger women what is good. There are a multitude of things that are “good” but this verse goes on specifically to say to train them how to love their family. This doesn’t come naturally but comes from the gospel being implanted in her heart and being worked out in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Older women are a vitally important piece of the Christian family. The way they live can not only be a good witness for those who don’t know Jesus, but can also provide a good example to younger women. Their reverence for God and character can lead to a great legacy for Jesus.
In the coming weeks, we’ll talk about how Paul addresses holiness for younger men and women.
This is Pastor Dave’s seventh post on Titus. Don’t miss parts one, two, three, four, five, and six.
