Titus 2 \\ Older and Younger Woman

Older Women (2:3)

In verse 3 Paul uses the word ‘likewise’ to indicate that he expects similar behavior of older women as he commanded Titus to teach to older men. But there is more. Older women are also to be reverent, ἱεροπρεπής (hieroprepēs). This Greek word appears only here in the New Testament and is used to describe a priestess who devotes herself to temple service. It can refer to a person or object that is consecrated to God, or it can mean to behave as a holy person. Our self-image has a direct bearing on our behavior. If all Christians thought of themselves as holy and behaved accordingly, what an impact that change in attitude might have upon a watching world.

Older women are ‘not to be slanderers’. In the use of their tongues, women are to apply strict self-control. It is far too common for women of all ages to engage in vicious gossip; to help in the spread of rumors, and to say unkind and hurtful things about others. Such speech is not to be heard coming from the mouth of an older Christian women.

”Talkativeness is a disease of women, and it is increased by old age. To this is added, that women never think that they are eloquent enough, if they are not given to prattling and to slander—if they do not attack the characters of all. The consequence is, that old women, by their slanderous talkativeness, as by a lighted torch, frequently set on fire many houses. 

- Calvin, John, and William Pringle.

Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

Older women are not to be ‘slaves to much wine.’ It seems that, just as Women are addicted to talking, so also many Women are given to drinking, so that, neglecting modesty and sobriety, they indulge in an unbecoming abandon and lack of restraint. Not holding to the standards of that which is right and proper in polite society or in accordance with scripture. though drinking seems to have been a common practice among the older women of that time and is certainly not unknown today! Be that is it may, it is to have no place among Christian women. They may be lonely; they may be facing difficulties and trials in their life; they may be tempted by neighbors or by friends. Nevertheless, the duty of Christian Women is clear: they are not to be addicted—enslaved—to much wine.

They are to ‘teach what is good.’ They are to share the things that they have learned in the course of their Christian lives with others. Particularly, as we see in verses 4 and 5 with younger Women In these verses, Paul shows Titus that it is not enough if their own life is decent, if they[older Women] do not also train young women, by their instructions, to a modest and chaste life. therefore, older Women are not to be self-absorbed; they are not to spend their days thinking only of themselves. But rather should be interested in others, particularly the younger generation. And in various ways—formally and informally, both by word and example—older Women are to teach younger Women what is good so they too might live lives that are pleasing to God and a blessing to others.


Younger Women (2:4,5)

In verse 4 and 5 Paul specifically names the ‘good things’ that the older women are to teach to the younger Women. The word translated train [σωφρονίζω (sōphronízō)] is literally ‘to bring someone to his senses’. These instructions not only help the older women to understand their responsibility toward the young women; but they also help the younger Women to understand what they themselves, as Christian Women, ought to be. The words ‘young Women’ is translated in the greek as νέος (neos) pertaining to a living being who is relatively young, often the younger of two objects. I believe the main focus here is that of older women in their duty to help younger women learn how to be godly wives and mothers.

The older Women are instructed to train the younger Women to ‘love their husbands and children.’ Having been the culture then, marriages were usually arranged by the parents of the bride and groom. therefore, young wives would then need the wise counsel of their elders to learn how to love their husbands. Marital love is something that Paul talks about elsewhere—briefly in Colossians, at greater length in Ephesians. etc; In those passages he addresses husbands. A Christian husband is to love his wife and is to do so as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Here in Titus, the picture is rounded out. The love of a husband is to be matched by the love of a wife. This instruction for the training of younger women in their attitude towards their husband is combined with the attitude towards their children as well. This reminder is quite significant in a society where children are given very little importance. Young mothers are to be trained ‘to love their … children’. This is not a love that is inclined to indulge children so that they always get their own way. Neither is it a love that is beyond tolerant of them and, therefore, refuse to give discipline for their wrong doings. No. This love is that which is careful to make wise decisions about appropriate behavior and wise is applying disciplining when there is failure to obey. Young mothers may need help in this, and older women should be the ones who are there to help them. The word love here is translated as φίλανδρος (philandros) which means to have affection for. Has the question crossed your mind of why these Women had to be taught to have affection for their husbands and children? I don’t believe it is a natural thing to the human nature to show affection and enjoy one’s family. How many couples do you know that are affectionate to one another and publicly enjoy each others company, opinion, personality, etc; And likewise for parents and their children. This I believe is a subject that may take a great deal of thought, and also, ought to be taught more vibrantly among families in our day and age.

Young Women are to be ‘self-controlled.’ With the same instruction and admonishment that was given to the older men in verse 3, Paul urges Titus that is is of uttermost importance for young Women to behave in a sensible manner, exercising restraint over one’s own impulses, emotions, and desires

They are to be‘pure.’ The instruction is probably a reference to sexual purity above all else, but surely also implies to wholesomeness in their thoughts, speech, and conduct in everyday life. Where purity may seem to apply with great extent to single Women, I can assure you that it most certainly applies to those young wives as well. Marriage does not exempt a Women from sexual temptation. It is not at all uncommon for a Women to find herself to be attracted to man other than her husband. She may even be tempted to commit adultery. Sadly, it is all too common for such a thing as this to devastate a marriage and bring it to its knees. The bible instructs that a young Christian Women is to be faithful to her husband. That applies even if things should be difficult in her marriage.

They are to be ‘busy at home.’ that is “domestic” (oikourgous, lit., “working at home”) Paul stresses to women who are wives and mothers that they are to be ‘homemakers’. Her home is her priority. Old-fashioned as it may sound, it is the thing that is to come first—not her career. A wife has a responsibility before God to ensure that her home is properly managed. She is so to take care of things at home in a manner so as to make sure that it is a place where her husband and children are happy to be. By making their homes their first priority, Women would not only give proper attention to their families but also avoid the dangers of idleness and gossip, which Paul condemns in 1 Tim. 5:13–14.

Young Women are also to be ‘kind.’ All Christians are to be kind (2:5; Eph. 4:32), but Paul specifically urges kindness as a virtue for the younger women. Unless one maintains a kind attitude, it is easy to dwell on the intentional or unintentional offenses that are so common in family life and thus grow irritable and harsh. Proverbs 31:26 says of the virtuous Women that “on her tongue is the law of kindness” Then there is the matter of hospitality—opening our homes to visitors and to people who are in need and sharing time and food with them. We learn from chapter 1:8 that this is one of the duties of an elder. In Romans 12:13, however, Paul urges all believers to be hospitable. “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
It is an important way of showing Christian kindness. And it is just such kindness that is to characterize younger Christian women.

And lastly, Paul urges that young Women are to be ‘subject to their husbands’. It is the clear teaching in Ephesians 5:23 that “For the husband is head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church—and as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything”. The husband’s role is that of a leader within the home, and it is the duty of his wife to accept and follow his leadership. This in no way implies that a husband is superior to his wife. (..as they are now ‘one flesh’—Mk. 10:8) Nor does it ever give him the right to tyrannize, abuse, or bully. A husband’s leadership in the home is to be characterized by the self-giving love that is seen in Christ’s relationship to the church. But he is to lead. And “just as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything”(Eph. 5:24). The overall concern is with the reputation of the gospel. If Christian women are not loving and respectful to their husbands or do not give ample care to their families, others might have occasion to ‘malign the word of God’ (2:5). The word ‘malign’ translates in the greek as βλασφημέω (blasphēmeō) which means quite literally ‘to speak against someone in such a way as to harm or injure his or her reputation’.
The conduct of Christian women can surely be an advertisement of the power of the gospel.