Friday, 8 June 2018
…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — Titus 2:3
Paul now turns from “the older men” of the previous verse, to “the older women.” They, likewise, are to “be reverent in behavior.” Paul uses two unique words here. The first indicates behavior or demeanor. It is a compound word which gives the sense of “settled according to a fixed, exact design” (HELPS Word Studies). The second word, indicates a sacred place, such as a temple. Thus the older women are to have behavior which is holy, sacred, and befitting of God.
He then says, “not slanderers.” The same words here, when used with an article, would indicate “the Slanderer,” meaning the Devil. Thus it would be accusers, or those who unjustly criticize and judge others. Such would be backbiters who demonstrate an evil nature as they talk in an ill manner of others.
Next, he says the older women are not to be “given to much wine.” The word he uses indicates “being enslaved by.” Thus, the older women are not to be prisoners to the bottle. They are to be temperature, drink moderately, and avoid drunkenness. They are to remain sober and alert.
Finally, the older women are to be “teachers of good things.” Instead of drinking and being irreverent slanderers, they are to rightly instruct their children, and also any other younger women, in the way to act properly. Their lives and attitudes are to be examples to follow, not examples to quickly avoid.
Life application: We all have choices to make each day. How will we conduct our lives? What words will we speak? What actions will we demonstrate to the world around us? Each thing we do will be seen by those around us, and they will make their determinations about our character – especially our relationship with the Lord – based on those things we do, say, and live out. Let us remember this, and be careful to conduct our lives with the constant remembrance that our commitment to the Lord is a part of the evaluation of our character.
Heavenly Father, the things we say, the things we do, and the lives we live… these are all being looked at by others, and they are being processed in our relation to You. Are we exalting You with our actions? Are we bringing glory to You with our words? Will people say, “I want to know more about Jesus,” because of how they view us? Help us to remember this at all times, and help us to be lights which shine out Your glory for others to see. Amen.