Today we are going to focus on the older women and
what scripture has to say about them and how they are to live their lives in
order to effectively minister to the younger women. Let’s take a closer look.
The older women likewise,
that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine,
teachers of good things; that they admonish the young women. Titus 2:3.
- Reverent in behavior: This older woman sees her entire life as a worship to God. Some Commentaries call this sacred service. I love this picture of one’s whole life as a worship to God. We are an open testimony to His work in us over the course of our lives, so we need to behave as Christ would. In this way we live to be an example to those who come behind us.
- Not slanderers: not raising false reports or, bringing false charges against members of the church, making differences and divisions among them.
- Not given to much wine: This was a common failing of older women in Roman and Greek culture. Paul recognizes that this special challenge needs special instruction.( Guzik Commentary on O.T. and N.T.) But even today there is the temptation to drown out your sorrows with wine. Let us be Sober in heart and mind able to discern the will of God in our lives. Therefore girding up the loins of your mind, being sober, perfectly hope for the grace being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, (1Pe 1:13)
- Teachers of good things : If the older women have special challenges, they also have special opportunities. God can use their wisdom and experience as they admonish the young women. This gives the older women something positive to live towards, instead of the negative things of slander and alcohol abuse. (Guzik Commentary on O.T. and N.T.)
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