Dec. 8, 2011
Titus 2-Part 3
Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Titus 2:3-5 NAS
LET IT GLOW
It's been 15 years since my last little birdie flew out of our nest. When our two were home, we were busy with school and church activities. I worked outside of the home and ran myself ragged staying involved in their activites. I know why you have children when you're young-so you have energy to keep up with them. Now that those are days gone by, I can relax in the evenings. However, it sure gets quiet in our nest.
I still have something to offer, so I haven't backed out of everything. I work two days a week at our business and babysit my granddaughter three days. I direct childrens' church and our mission emphasis.
I came across this verse that applies to us women: Jeremiah 9:20 NLT says Listen, you women, to the words of the Lord; open your ears to what He has to say.
It is my prayer that as we read today's lesson, we will open our ears to what God has to say to us individually. I am.
Paul is addressing the older and younger women in today's passages. Please stay with me as I walk through so good teaching.
In 1 Timothy 5:9, Paul referred to "older" widows as those who were at least 60 years old. Now that we got that established, I have 2 1/2 years before I am technically classed as an older woman. Guess that keeps me middle-aged a little longer. :)
Shepherd's Notes has this to say:As children grow up and leave home, the older woman's focus may become less defined as her familial responsibilities become less demanding. This may contribute to feelings of uselessness, loneliness, low self-esteem, and self-pity. Paul suggested in this passage that older women should possess personal godliness, be worthy of respect, and play an essential role in the lives of the young women in the church. The concept of spiritual mentoring is evident in this passage (verse 3).
Charles Swindoll says, "Nevertheless, we can safely interpret "older women' in the relative sense, saying that women of any age should teach women who are younger than themselves."
Paul tells Titus to encourage the older women to:
1. Be reverent-dignified and worthy of respect, as the older men are to be. Their behavior, way of life, if
you will, should be appropriate to those who serve in God's temple. Their inner character is to be holy.
Every believer's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and everything done should be fitting the temple of
God. (Falwell)
The idea of reverence suggests that a person, by her conduct, demonstrates that she belongs to God and
that her life has been reserved for His worship. (Swindoll)
2. Not being slanderers-not malicious gossips, which is translated from diabolos, the same term used in the
Septuagint to describe Satan as "the accuser" or "the adversary" (1 Chron. 21:1). The talebearer always
has a story to share about someone, and her information never elevates the subject's reputation in the
minds of others. (Swindoll) Slanderer was a term used 30 times in the NT to describe Satan, the arch-
slanderer. (MacArthur)
3. Not addicted to much wine-translated douloo in the Greek, which means "to make a slave of." The
Greek tense speaks here of a confirmed drunkard. (Falwell)
4. Teach what is good-advising the young women by teaching good things. Since younger women seldom
ask for advice, they learn by example. Young girls often grow up rebelling and resising the way their
mothers do things. Then, years later, they instinctively nurture their families and care for their homes
exactly as they observed their mothers function. (Swindoll)
[Resource: Shepherd's Notes, Be Faithful by Wiersbe, Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Liberty Bible Commentary, The MacArthur Bible Commentary]
To sum it up, as an older woman, I am to be reverent, respectful of those in authority over me, not a gossiper, not a drinker of alcohol, and teach what is good.
LET IT GLOW
It was the older women's duty, not Titus' duty, to encourage the younger women. They are the best teachers because of their years of experience. Here's the desired qualities for Christian young women, several presuppose a life involving marriage and family:
- Be pure, sober, holy-reserved for God's holy purposes. Their behavior should demonstrate that they, like the sacred implements of worship in the temple, belong to the Lord. Self-controlled is included.
- To love their husbands and children-a virtue that is unconditional, based on God's will, not on a husband's worthiness. You do things together as a family.
- Be sensible-by good-teaching behavior, they would bring to sensibility the younger women.
- Workers at home-the term is the noun "homemakers," as the crown jewel of women described in Proverbs 31:10-31. This woman is a powerful, industrious, resourceful partner, fully engaged in cultivating her family's well-being and in the building of a family legacy. (Swindoll) God-ordained women are to work at home, but not as a maid or slave. There is no higher calling. Every man knows the transforming power in the home of a lovely, godly wife. Her power is felt in a much greater institute than a bank or political office when she influences the home and children for God. (Falwell)
- Be kind, good-a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God's sight. (1 Peter 3:4)
- Subject to their own husband-subject their will to the leadership of their husband. In Ephesians 5, the husband's loving leadership is devoted to serving his wife, which inspires her to show respect to him in return.
Not only are these Paul's words, but they are God-breathed Words to us. Am I pure in my thoughts and my actions loving? I should have these characteristics before I try teaching younger women to have them.
LET IT GO
What do I need to change, Lord, so my life lines up with Your Word?
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