The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
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;
- BSB Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.
- 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 2:4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
- 1 Tim 3:11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
- 1 Pet 3:3–5Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
- 1 Tim 2:9–10In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
- Titus 1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
- 1 Tim 3:8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
- Rom 16:2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
- 1 Tim 5:5–10Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
- Eph 5:3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
- Heb 5:12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
- Rev 2:20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
- 1 Tim 5:23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
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Christ at the center
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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