Titus 2:3

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(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.

Benson Commentary

Titus 2:3-6. The aged women likewise — All of them in general, and not merely such as were employed by the church in teaching the young of their own sex the doctrines and precepts of Christianity; that they be in behaviour — Εν καταστηματι, in their deportment, including their dress, as the word implies; as becometh holiness — Or holy persons, as ιεροπρεπεις may be rendered, that is, such as is agreeable to their holy profession, and will manifest the holiness of their hearts; not false accusers — Slanderers, or evil speakers; not given to much wine — If they use a little for their many infirmities; teachers — For their age and experience call them to be so; of good things — Only, and not of any thing of a contrary nature. That they may teach the young women — These Timothy was to instruct himself; Titus, by the elder women; to be sober — Or wise. The original expression, ινα σωφρονιζωσι τας νεας, is, literally, That they may render the young women wise, or prudent, namely, in the performance of the duties of their station; to love their husbands, their children — In a due manner, with a tender, temperate, holy, wise affection. O how hard a lesson! To be discreet — Particularly in the love of their children; chaste — Particularly in the love of their husbands; keepers at home — Whenever they are not called out by works of necessity, piety, and mercy; good — Well-tempered, sweet, soft, obliging; obedient to their husbands — Whose will, in all things lawful, is a rule to the wife; that the word of God — The doctrine of the gospel, and the Christian religion; be not blasphemed — Or evil spoken of, particularly by unbelieving husbands, who usually lay all the blame of what they think wrong in their wives, on their religion. Young men exhort to be sober-minded — Or, rather, prudent and discreet, as σωφρονειν signifies.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

2:1-8 Old disciples of Christ must behave in every thing agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from nearer communion with God, not from any undue indulgence. Faith works by, and must be seen in love, of God for himself, and of men for God's sake. Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful; therefore need to be on their guard. Though there is not express Scripture for every word, or look, yet there are general rules, according to which all must be ordered. Young women must be sober and discreet; for many expose themselves to fatal temptations by what at first might be only want of discretion. The reason is added, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties greatly reproach Christianity. Young men are apt to be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be earnestly called upon to be sober-minded: there are more young people ruined by pride than by any other sin. Every godly man's endeavour must be to stop the mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to speak of!

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The aged women likewise - Not only those who may have the office of deaconesses, but all aged females.

That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness - Marg, "holy women." The Greek word is not found elsewhere in the New Testament. It means appropriate to a sacred place or person, or becoming to religion. Their conduct should be such as the gospel requires.

Not false accusers - - Margin, "make-bates." Greek, διαβόλους diabolous - the word commonly applied to the devil - "as the accuser." See it explained in the notes at 1 Timothy 3:11, where it is rendered slanderers.

Not given to much wine - Notes, 1 Timothy 3.

Teachers of good things - That is instructing the younger - whether their own children, or whether they sustain the office of deaconness, and are appointed to give instruction to younger females; compare the notes at 1 Timothy 5:2-6.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. behaviour—"deportment."

as becometh holiness—"as becometh women consecrated to God" [Wahl]: being by our Christian calling priestesses unto God (Eph 5:3; 1Ti 2:10). "Observant of sacred decorum" [Bengel].

not false accusers—not slanderers: a besetting sin of some elderly women.

given to much wine—the besetting sin of the Cretans (Tit 1:12). Literally, "enslaved to much wine." Addiction to wine is slavery (Ro 6:16; 2Pe 2:19).

teachers—in private: not in public (1Co 14:34; 1Ti 2:11, 12); influencing for good the younger women by precept and example.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

The aged women likewise; that is, do thou also teach the women that in age exceed others.

That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness; en katasthmati ieroprepeiv to be in their habit becoming holiness. The word is of a very large signification, it signifies state, gesture, and habit; we have well translated it by as general a word,

behaviour; it signifies clothes, converse, one’s whole carriage.

Not false accusers; not devils. That name is given to the devil, because he is

the accuser of the brethren, and he was a liar from the beginning; it is applied to any persons that charge others falsely.

Not given to much wine: Greek, not serving much wine; for those that frequent the tap too much, are ordinarily enslaved to it.

Teachers of good things; privately instructing others in what is good, both by their discourse and example.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the aged women likewise,.... Speak also to them the things which become their profession, and what is right for them to be, and do: these aged women design not persons in office, who were ancient widows, and had some care of the poor; or presbyteresses, as some call them, the wives of presbyters or elders, as being distinct from deaconesses; but godly women in years, who are to be instructed and exhorted:

that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness; or "holy women", sanctified by the Spirit of God; and who are priestesses unto God, as the word may signify, being made so by Christ unto the Father, as men are made kings and priests by him; such ought to be in their clothing, and in their speech, and in the whole of their conduct and conversation, as become the character which they bear, and the profession they make:

not false accusers; of the brethren, and sisters, which is to act the part of the devil; and indeed, the same word is here used which is commonly given to him; not raising false reports of, bringing false charges against members of churches, and so making differences and divisions among them.

Not given to much wine; or serving it, or being enslaved by it, which is very scandalous in any, especially in the female sex, and yet was what was too common in the eastern countries.

Teachers of good things; both by example and by instruction, but in their own houses privately; for they were not suffered to teach publicly, or to speak in the church; these should be teachers, not of old wives' fables, of superstitious customs, rites, and ceremonies, of the intrigues of love, and of things filthy and obscene, which are too often handed down to posterity by such persons; but of things that are solid and substantial, useful and improving, honest and honourable, chaste and pure. Particularly,

Geneva Study Bible

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

Titus 2:3. ΙΙρεσβύτιδας (“the aged women” = πρεσβύτεραι in 1 Timothy 5:2) ὡσαύτως (see 1 Timothy 2:9) ἐν καταστήματι ἱεροπρεπεῖς] κατάστημα is taken in too narrow a sense, only of the clothing (Oecumenius: τὰ περιβόλαια). It denotes the entire external deportment; Jerome: ut ipse earum incessus et motus, vultus, sermo, silentium, quandam decoris sacri praeferant dignitatem. Heydenreich, on the other hand, makes the conception too wide, when he includes under it the temper of mind.

ἱεροπρεπεῖς] (ἅπ. λεγ.) is equivalent to καθὼς πρέπει ἁγίοις, Ephesians 5:3; comp. also 1 Timothy 2:10. Luther rightly: “that they behave themselves as becometh saints.”

μὴ διαβόλους] see 1 Timothy 3:11.

μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ δεδουλωμένας is equivalent to μὴ οἴν. π. προσέχοντας in 1 Timothy 3:8.

καλοδιδασκάλους] (ἅπ. λεγ.) Beza: “honestatis magistrae; agitur hic de domestica disciplina;” but not so much by example as by exhortation and teaching, as appears from what follows.

Expositor's Greek Testament

Titus 2:3. πρεσβύτιδας: correlative to πρεσβύτας, as πρεσβυτέρας is to πρεσβυτέρῳ in 1 Timothy 5:1-2.

ὡσαύτως: See on 1 Timothy 2:9.

ἐν καταστήματι ἱεροπρεπεῖς: reverent in demeanour, R.V. καταστολή in 1 Timothy 2:9 has an almost exclusive reference to dress. Demeanour (R.V.) is better than behaviour (A.V.), which has a wide reference to conduct, in all respects and on all occasions. Deportment, which includes a slight reference to dress, would be the best rendering, only that the word has become depreciated.

ἱεροπρεπεῖς perhaps = ὃ πρέπει γυναιξὶν ἐπαγγελλομέναις θεοσέβειαν (1 Timothy 2:10); but in itself the word does not guarantee more than the appearance of reverence. Wetstein gives, among other illustrations, one from Josephus (Ant. xi. 8, 5), describing how Jaddua, the high priest, went out in procession from Jerusalem to meet Alexander the Great, ἱεροπρεπῆ καὶ διαφέρουσαν τῶν ἄλλων ἐθνῶν ποιούμενος τὴν ὑπάντησιν.

μὴ διαβόλους: See on 1 Timothy 3:11, and 2 Timothy 3:3.

δεδουλωμένας: The A.V., not given to much wine, makes no difference between this and προσέχοντας, which is the verb in the corresponding phrase, in the list of moral qualifications of deacons, 1 Timothy 3:8. It is proved by experience that the reclamation of a woman drunkard is almost impossible. The best parallel to this use of δουλόω is 2 Peter 2:19, ᾧ γάρ τις ἥττηται, τούτῳ δεδούλωται. Cf. also the other reff.

καλοδιδασκάλους: Not only “by discourse at home,” as Chrys. explains, but by example.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. The aged women likewise] That aged women, not of any order of women corresponding to that of ‘elders’; though this exact word is used of such an order in the 11th Laodicean Canon, ‘those that are called elder women, to wit those that preside in the church, must not be ordained’; cf. Neander, Ch. Hist., iii. 305 sqq.; and in Apocryphal Acts and Martyrdom of Matthew, Tisch. Act, apocr. apost., p. 187. It undoubtedly arose later, based upon this passage, see note on 1 Timothy 5:3-16.

be in behaviour] Vulg. here ‘in habitu sancto,’ and in 1 Timothy 2:9 ‘in habitu ornato,’ but the Greek word here more properly corresponds to the classical sense of habitus ‘settled ways and bearing,’ (comp. ‘behaviour’), while the Greek word there fits its Low Latin sense ‘raiment’ (‘arrayment’), (comp. ‘riding habit’). The translation by the earlier English versions, Wiclif ‘habite,’ Tyndal, Cranmer ‘raiment,’ makes it likely that the sense of the Vulgate was the later sense of ‘habitus’ and therefore here inadequate. R.V. rightly demeanour as covering more than the modern sense of ‘behaviour,’—Jerome’s ‘incessus, motus, vultus, sermo, silentium.’

as becometh holiness] One word, an adjective, in the Greek, for which R.V. gives reverent, Alford ‘reverend,’ with a difference of meaning intended, though ‘reverent’ had once the sense of ‘reverend,’ e.g. Homilies, p. 345, ‘partakers of his reverent Sacraments.’ But ‘reverent’ now implies ‘with a certain dignity of sacred decorum,’ to use Jerome’s words. ‘Reverend’ occurs in English Bible only in Psalm 111:9, ‘holy and reverend is his name,’ and 2Ma 15:12, ‘a virtuous and a good man, reverend in conversation.’

The Greek means literally ‘as becometh a sacred office,’ and, as the simple word and its derivatives are used especially of the priesthood, well expresses a reverential spirit of consecration, mindful of the Christian believer’s priesthood and its requirements. This passage and 1 Timothy 2:9 ‘that women adorn themselves … which becometh women professing godliness—through good works,’ taken with 1 Peter 2:9, ‘a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession,’ and Titus 2:14, ‘a people for his own possession, zealous of good works,’ seem to supplement and explain one another. The phrase finds full recent appropriation in Miss F. R. Havergal’s lines:

‘Keep my life, that it may be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Keep my feet, that they may be

Swift and ‘beautiful’ for Thee.

Keep my lips, that they may be

Filled with messages from Thee.

Keep myself, that I may be

Ever, only, all, for Thee.’

Who that has known the happiness of help for Christian living from the example and service of such an elder saintly woman among his own kinsfolk or acquaintance, but will bless St Paul as Founder and Patron, through the Holy Spirit his Inspirer, of the best women’s rights, although he ‘suffered not a woman to speak in the church’?

not false accusers] As 1 Timothy 3:11, A.V. and R.V., not slanderers; see note.

not given to much wine] Lit. with R.V. nor enslaved to much wine, cf. Romans 6:16-18, where however the Revisers leave the weaker ‘servants’; lit. ‘ye were enslaved to Righteousness.’ Cf. 2 Peter 2:19, ‘slaves of corruption, for of whom a man is overcome to the same is he also enslaved.’ The use of the word rendered ‘temperate’ in 1 Timothy 3:11 in conjunction with ‘not slanderers,’ and corresponding to our phrase here, defines its meaning in these Epistles as strictly literal—‘sober, as to strong drinks;’ see Titus 2:2.

This character of women generally for intemperance is satirised in Anthology, xi. 297, 1:

‘Mother, how is it thou lovest the wine

More than thou lovest this son of thine?’

And xi. 298, 1–5:

‘The thirsty boy begs mother for a draught;

But, like her sex, quite overcome with wine,

Still drinking deep and turning just her head,

“I can’t—’tis such a drop, dear laddie mine,

This flagon holds but thirty pints,” she said.’

teachers of good things] The only other N.T. compound with this word for ‘good,’ ‘fair,’ ‘beautiful’ is in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, ‘be not weary in well-doing.’ The adjective, used with ‘works,’ is specially characteristic of this Epistle; below Titus 2:7; Titus 2:14, Titus 3:8; Titus 3:14. The emphatic repetition in Titus 3:8 further shews that we are right in interpreting the compound here ‘teachers of good works.’ Compare the passages quoted above on ‘reverent.’ The contrast in these last four phrases of high calling and low falling is precisely parallel to that in 1 Timothy 3:2, and strictly in accord with the early Church history of grand saintliness and gross sin. It strengthens the argument for the literal meaning there of ‘husband of one wife.’

Bengel's Gnomen

Titus 2:3. Ἐν καταστήματι [3]ἱεροπρεπεῖ) ἱεροπρεπὴς, observant of sacred decorum.—κατάστημα, behaviour, dress [‘habitus’ exterior], is used here of the ornament of the virtues, which are presently enumerated.—κατάστημα is used in a large sense, as we find in the Greek Lexicon formerly printed at Basle in fol.—δεδουλωμένας, enslaved, under slavery to) It is indeed slavery not to overcome the appetite; 2 Peter 2:19.—καλοδιδασκάλους) teachers of good things, as follows.

[3] The larger Ed. had preferred the plural ἱεροπρεπεῖς, but the marg. of

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - That for the, A.V; be reverent in demeanor for that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, A.V.; slanderers for false accusers, A.V.; nor for not, A.V.; enslaved for given, A.V.; that which is good for good things, A.V. Reverent (ἱεροπρεπεῖς); only here in the New Testament, twice in 4 Maccabees (in 9:25, where the eldest of the seven brothers who suffered martyrdom ruder Antiochus Epiphanes is called ὁἱεροπρεπὴς νεανίας; and in 11:20, where it is coupled with αἰών, "age," or "generation"); it is not uncommon in classical Greek. The word means "becoming a holy person, place, or matter;" otherwise expressed in 1 Timothy 2:10, "which becometh women professing godliness;" and Ephesians 5:3, "as becometh saints." In demeanor (ἐν καταστήματι; Of much wider meaning than καταστολή in 1 Timothy 2:7); here only in the New Testament, once in 3Macc. 5:45, "a state" or "condition," spoken of elephants; and so in classical Greek, applied to a man, to health, to the air, or the body politic. Here mien, demeanor, or deportment, including, as St. Jerome expounds it, the movements of the body, the expression of the countenance, what is said, and what is left unsaid. The whole habit and composition or structure of mind and body is to be ἱερόπρεπες, what becomes a holy woman. Slanderers (διαβόλους); as 1 Timothy 3. (q.v.). Nor enslaved to much wine (comp. 1 Timothy 3:8). Observe the fitness of the phrase "enslaved." The drunkard is thoroughly the slave of his vicious appetite (cutup. Titus 3:3; Romans 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19). Teachers of that which is good (καλοδιδασκάλους); only here in the New Testament, not found in the LXX., or in classical Greek; teachers, by their holy demeanor as well as by their words. For as Ignatius (quoted by Ellicott) says of the Bishop of the Trallians, "His very demeanor (αὐτὸ τὸ κατάστημα) was a great lesson (μοθητεία)." Titus 2:3

Vincent's Word Studies

Aged women (πρεσβύτιδας)

N.T.o. See on πρεσβύτεραι, 1 Timothy 5:2.

Behavior (καταστήματι)

N.T.o. See on καταστολή apparel, 1 Timothy 2:9. It means, primarily, condition or state. Once in lxx, 3 Macc 5:45, κατάστημα μανιῶδες the maddened state into which the war-elephants were excited. Hence the state in which one habitually bears himself - his deportment or demeanor.

As becometh holiness (ἱεροπρεπεῖς)

N.T.o. lxx, 4 Macc. 9:25; 11:20. In the Theages (wrongly ascribed to Plato), τῷ υἱεῖ τὸ ὄνομα ἔθου καὶ ἱεροπρεπές you have given your son (Theages) an honorable and reverend name (122 D). It means beseeming a sacred place, person, or matter. Thus Athenaeus, vii, of one who had given a sacred banquet, says that the table was ornamented ἱεροπρεπέστατα in a manner most appropriate to the sacred circumstances. The meaning here is becoming those who are engaged in sacred service. This is the more striking if, as there is reason to believe, the πρεσβύτιδες represented a quasi-official position in the church. See on 1 Timothy 5:3, and comp. 1 Timothy 2:10; Ephesians 5:3.

False accusers (διαβόλους)

Better, slanderers. See on Matthew 4:1, and see on 1 Timothy 3:6, 1 Timothy 3:11.

Given to much wine (οἴνῳ πολλῷ δεδουλωμένας)

More correctly, enslaved to much wine. The verb only here in Pastorals. Comp. 1 Timothy 3:8.

Teachers of good things (καλοδιδασκάλους)

N.T.o. olxx, oClass.