Titus 2:3

OLDER WOMEN Titus 2:3.

Text 2:3

3 That aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

Thought Questions 2:3

65.

To what does the word likewise in Titus 2:3 refer?

66.

Define the word demeanor in Titus 2:3.

67.

Would older women be especially tempted to be slanderers? Discuss.

68.

Why were aged women enslaved to much wine? Is this a problem today?

69.

Where and when would the older women teach? Define the use of the word good in Titus 2:3 b.

Paraphrase 2:3

3 That the aged women, whom the church employs to teach the young of their own sex, in like manner, be in speech and behaviour as becometh persons employed in sacred offices; not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, but good teachers:

Comment 2:3

Titus 2:3. Titus has an urgent and large responsibility: he must prompt action on the part of the older and younger members of the churches to fulfil the qualities of character and conduct here described. To the aged women: they should be first of all concerned with their general impression on the public. What is the first, as well as the total impression, given by the older women? Is it one of holiness and reverence?

Older women are sometimes especially tempted in two areas. Because they many times are aloneand sometimes in poor healththey are open to the temptation to seek solace in wine instead of worship. While thus addicted to wine they can become the tool of the great accuser, and begin to slander the various members of the church.

In contrast to the idle, slandering, wine-filled life, the reverent older woman will seek out some avenue of service in which she can be a teacher of good. The particular areas are specified in Titus 2:4.

Fact Questions 2:3

39.

Just how was Titus going to fulfill the admonitions of these verses? i.e., how was he to obtain co-operation from the older men and women?

40.

Show how the first quality of character is inclusive of all the others.

41.

Explain how and why older women would be tempted to be slanderers and addicted to much wine.

42.

Is there anything for an older woman to do in the church? What is it?