The Role of the Woman

Have you ever studied the book of Titus? Done more than a read through of it? If not, I highly recommend this tiny but powerful book of doctrine. At our church here recently we took a 6 weeks and broke the scripture down, verse by verse, and it was very edifying for our spiritual growth. If you would like to hear my pastor teach the book of Titus you can do so here.

But before he taught the entire congregation about the instruction Paul had for Titus, those of us ladies in the Women's ministry were blessed to have him instruct us on the portion of scripture that was specifically laid out for women in the church.

Titus 2:3-5

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

I love this portion from our study: "These traits were in strong contrast with the immoral behavior of the pagan society from which many of them came and in which they still lived." Additionally, the scriptures above are for ALL Christian women: married, single, widowed, older or younger.

I have wanted to share this portion of scripture for some time, and in fact have found myself drawn back to these verses many times since we did this study of scripture back in early September. The day and age we find ourselves in is very confusing, depressing, and highly immoral. Very much like the church in Crete that Titus was pastor over. 

So let's break down the four characteristics for a godly woman as listed in verse 3:

• Reverent in behavior

rev·er·ent /ˈrev(ə)rənt/

adjective
feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
Similar: respectful, reverential,  worshipping,  worshipful,  adoring,  loving,  admiring,  devoted,  devout,  dutiful,  awed,  deferential, submissive, humble, meek 

Two verses to cross reference: Romans 12:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

• Not slanderers (malicious gossips)

slan·der /ˈslandər/

noun LAW

the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

Similar: defamation, defamation of character, character assassination

verb

make false and damaging statements about (someone).

Similar: defame

James 3: 5-6 is about the tongue, and verse 6 tells us the ultimate source of the fires kindled by the tongue:

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. (New American Standard Bible 1995)

Do not dismiss your words or tone ladies. Our tongues can be used as a tool of Satan which is why Paul felt the need to address this serious issue.

• Not given to much wine

 The original language suggests addiction, with some Bible versions referring to slaves to drink.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 states:

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. - New American Standard Bible 1995

The gist of words are if you as a believer can abstain from something and it helps another believer, then do it! 

Romans 14: 15-21 gives a loving response if drinking alcohol offends another believer:

15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. - New American Standard Bible 1995

I summed it up in study as such - "If it offends you, when I am with you, it will offend me."

Additionally, the Bible does say drunkenness is a sin and gives warnings.

• Romans 13:13
• Galatians 5:19-21
• 1 Peter 4:3
• Ephesians 5:18

Sisters, we are not to be "slaves" to excess. Paul focused on self-control and moderation to characterize women of every age in the church. Consider for yourself what words/activities you could insert instead of "wine."

• Teachers of good things

Paul instructed Titus to encourage the older women to be mentors and good examples of all the traits previously mentioned. In every church there are some older and some younger. I know I have personally been blessed by many older women who have instructed, guided, and directed me over the years.

The very first lesson the older women were to teach the younger women was to "love their husbands."

This type of love is "phileo" which calls for women to be affectionate towards their husbands, and it denotes friendship. The following verses show how a woman can express this type of love:

• Ephesians 5:22
• 1 Peter 3:4
• Philippians 2:3-4
• Mark 10:45

And after loving their husbands, they are called to love their children. Now, whether you are single, married, or widowed, more than likely you have children in your life. Nieces, students, friends kids. Think on ways you can show love to these children. I am thankful for the book "A Mom After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. It is giving my practical ways to love on my kids as God intended.

Also to be taught to the younger women are attitudes and skills. Titus 2:5, " to be sensible, pure, workers at home." 

Discreet (sensible) - attentive, prudent, tactful, considerate

Chaste (pure) - celibate, virginal, unblemished

Workers at home. This always seems to throw a kink in people. Ideally, the woman should be at home, with her children, tending to them and the home. Making the house a home. Modern times have forced many, if not most women into the workforce. God understands, and is sympathetic to that. But if at all possible, especially when the children are young (before school age), a mom at home is the best foundation for a child.

This is still my desire. To one day be a stay-at-home-wife/mom. Possibly even homeschool my children. The world is full of sin, wickedness, and darkness. I want to shelter my kids from that. To train them up to be light bearers for Jesus. I love doing the home stuff - cooking, cleaning, decorating, living in my home. And I believe that desire is from God.

The last part of verse 5 is this, "kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored."

Kind is synonymous with Good. And that good comes from the Greek agathos - good nature, useful, upright, joyful happy, honorable.

And the source of goodness is found in Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB1995):

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

"Being subject to their own husbands" is also a way of saying being obedient. Its not being a meek mouse, but instead deferring to the husband, he is the head of the family as God intended. See Ephesians 5:22-25 and Colossians 3:18.

This does not only apply to married women, but to single women and widows. If we have no husband, we have a father, we have a boss, we have the LORD. (See Ephesians 5:19-20 and Philippians 2:5-11).

Now, "so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Some translations put blasphemed in place of dishonored. We as women are representatives of God, we can cause harm to the kingdom of God if we do not follow His commands. If we say we believe, then we have placed ourselves under the authority of God and we will be different in how live, love, have families, all of it.

Dear sisters, I hope you have been encouraged, as I was, by this break down from the Book of Titus. It really is a powerhouse of a book of scripture.