What Does Titus 2:3 Mean?

(3) **The aged women likewise.**—St. Paul, faithful to what had now become one of the guiding principles of Christianity, the equal position of women in the city of God, fellow-heirs with men in the citizenship of the city which hath foundations, proceeds to remind the elder women of Crete of their own high duties in the company of believers. They now—the women—must remember that the position which Christ and His disciples had claimed for them in the world was not without its grave responsibilities. These aged women of the flock. like the elders just exhorted, had also much to do for Christ. **That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness.**—That is, *that they should show themselves as it becometh holiness; *or, more literally, *in demeanour* *reverend.* The Greek word rendered “in behaviour,” or “in demeanour,” includes dress, appearance, conversation, manner; includes an outward deportment dependent on something more internal. The elder Christian woman in her whole bearing should exhibit a certain dignity of sacred demeanour; there should be something in her general appearance, in her dress, in her speech, in her every-day behaviour, which the younger and more thoughtless sister could respect and reverence—an ideal she might hope one day, if the Master spared her so long, herself to reach. For an admirable gloss on these words, see 1Timothy 2:9-10. **Not false accusers.**—Or better, perhaps, *not slanderers.* St. Paul knew well how easily old age yields itself to this temptation. Old age is at times intolerant, censorious, even bitter, forgetful especially of the days of youth; but Christ’s aged saints must use their voice for better things than these. **Not given to much wine.**—This warning was probably called for, owing to the evil habits and customs of the Cretans. **Teachers of good things.**—Or, *teachers of what is good.* Beza’s rendering, “mistresses of honour” (*honestatis magistrœ*)*, *is singular and expressive. This does not mean that these aged women should occupy the place of public instructresses, but that they should, by here and there speaking a kind warning word, and, better still, by the golden silence of a useful honoured life, teach their younger sisters lessons of truth and faith and love.