Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.
Parallel translations
- WEB and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
- KJV The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
- NKJV the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—
- NASB Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,
- NLT Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Older women are to live reverently, avoiding slander and drunkenness, and to teach what is good. It matters because mature women have a vital role in discipling others toward godliness.
Overview
Older women are called to holy conduct and freedom from common sins like gossip and excessive drink. Positively, they are to be 'teachers of that which is good,' equipping them for the mentoring described next. Their reverent lives make their instruction credible and fruitful.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Titus 2:4In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,
- 1 Tim 3:11In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
- 1 Pet 3:3–5Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes,
- 1 Tim 2:9–10Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
- Titus 1:7As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
- 1 Tim 3:8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
- Rom 16:2Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.
- 1 Tim 5:5–10The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
- Eph 5:3But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.
- Heb 5:12Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!
- Rev 2:20But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
- 1 Tim 5:23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
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We await 'the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us' and purify a people of his own.
How Titus 2:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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