Titus 2:3
3 The aged women [presbutis] likewise [hosautos], that
they be in [en] behaviour [katastema] as becometh holiness [hieroprepes], not [me] false accusers [diabolos], not [me] given [douloo] to much [polus] wine [oinos], teachers of good things [kalodidaskalos]; KJV-Interlinear
3 Older women likewise are to be
reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, NASB
In the last verse,
older men (mature men) were addressed, and now older (mature) women are
addressed.Again, as age is recognized,
it is not a prerequisite to maturity and wisdom.
But just as the age s
of these two respective groups are described, the single word that ties these
two verses together is, hosautos. This
means, likewise, in the same manner, after the same pattern. And this word is the single word that really
ties the behavior of men and women together in the scriptures.
In Matt. 22,we are told that in
heaven there will be neither marriage nor giving in marriage. That we will be similar to
the angels as far as our relationships with others, go. Also, Gal. 3, teaches us that there will be neither
male nor female.This is a biological distinction
for this life, that has contributed to human history in
many ways.
And although there are
many differences between male and female, physical, biological, even emotional,
these differences were allowed to exist here in this life in order to teach, as
many things in this world do, of our relationship with God through doctrine.
In life husband and
wife cleave to each other.They do not
betray each other, and so forth.In the
spiritual life, we are to cleave, become one as it were, with doctrine, and in
so doing secure and complete our relationship with God for all of eternity.
In eternity there will
be relationships with others, but those relationships will be far better than
anything that currently exists.We don t
have the capacity to understand or comprehend them.
And as for how people
are to conduct themselves in this life, the female is to be mature, just as the
male is.The female is to be grown up in
doctrine, obedient to Gods mandates, poised, non-complaining, thoughtful,
understanding, responsible, reverent, honest, honorable, etc.
The female is to
withhold from gossiping, as we all are.
Gossiping is an intrusion into someone else's life, a violation of their
right to life, an expression of judgment of which none of us have a right to
do.
We are all, not just
women, to refrain from things that will tend to make us divorced from
reality.Wine is used here as the
example, but there are many things that are used in life as escapes. Drugs, alcohol, the many and various lust
drives are examples of just a few.
Teaching what is
good, means to set the example for others.
Each individual Christian, is a beacon of light on the hilltop. Everyone can see you and everyone will
evaluate you, whether you know them or not.
So, whether you understand it or not, God has placed you here in this
world as an example for others.
Unfortunately, probably
ninety-nine percent of all Christians are bad examples of Christianity. So if you are pursuing any semblance of a
legitimate and honorable spiritual life, that places
you in historys smallest minority group, ever.
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