The Spiritually Mature Woman – A Summary of Titus 2:3-5

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I’ve spent quite a lot of time focusing on details. Having arrived at the last detail of the passage, it’s finally time to step back and see how it all fits together.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands that the word of God may not be dishonored. Titus 2:3-5 (NASB)

In context, Paul is writing to Titus. Why?

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you. Titus 1:5

The rest of the letter tells Titus how to do that, so that in the end, we have a mental picture of what a spiritually mature, orderly church looks like. How do women fit in?

As leaders and teachers:

“Likewise” – in the same manner as the men

Temperate – exercise self-control over emotions and desires

Dignified – having self-respect in conduct

Sensible – self-controlled in opinions and passions

Sound in faith – acts on an accurate conviction of God’s truth

Sound in love – seeks the welfare of those around her

Sound in perseverance – endures difficulties with hope

Reverent in her behavior – manner of life reflects her total dedication to God

Not a malicious gossip – doesn’t speak ill of others

Nor enslaved to much wine – free from physical, mental, or emotional addiction

Teaching what is good – teaches how to be good, not just to do good

Encouraging – others toward a changed, more godly life

As wives and mothers:

Love their husbands – have genuine affection toward

Love their children – have a gentle, tender caring maternal bond

Sensible – self-controlled in opinions and passions

Pure – free from sin in action, thoughts, and attitude

Workers at home – to be managers and guardians of their households

Kind – having a good influence by actions, words, and conscience

Subject to own husband – to willingly order her household for her husband

Respect her husband – (Eph. 5:33). OK, this one’s not in Titus! But I think it’s an important trait of the spiritually mature wife. We’ll take a closer look at it next time.

The result? God is glorified and His Word is honored. And that is what the Church is supposed to be about.