Titus 2 (Part 1) God’s Design for Women in the Church
Titus 2 is a beautiful passage of how the church is to function. Paul gives Titus directions for men and women, both young and old, to mentor and grow in their walks with the Lord. My focus in on how women are to serve within the church.
Paul begins Titus 2 with the instruction to “teach sound doctrine”. It is within that context that Paul teaches Titus what different groups of people should be focused on. Again, I will focus on biblical womanhood. God sets the standards here for what women should be mentoring other women to know and live.
Let’s start with the entire passage and then zero in on biblical womanhood. It is instructive what Paul points out to men that they are to have different characteristics to grow in than women. God’s Word is inspired by God and He knows the temptations and weaknesses we face. It is instructive that God speaks directly to men and women differently.
Titus 2
“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
Paul puts this in the context of sound doctrine. Why do people need to live these ways, “to demonstrate or live out sound doctrine”.
In verse 5 Paul gives us the reason why we should be teaching young women these principles - “SO THAT THE WORD OF GOD MAY NOT BE REVILED”.
We can live in such a way that God’s word is spoken of harshly and negatively - that’s reviling. Or, we can live in such a way that God’s word is spoken of highly. The Gospel is always glorious, the question is do we display that with our lives? These instructions carry weight. God’s honor and glory, the truth of the gospel and how in Christ we are able to live differently, are at stake to the watching world! When we live out what God has called us as women to do, we bring honor to God and the gospel! Verse 8 adds, “so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us”. Opponents of the gospel watch how professing believers live. Will they see reasons to call us hypocrites and thereby bring shame to us? If we take Titus 2 seriously and, out of love for God, live this way, we can silence opponents arguments. And verse 10 says “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior”.
We can “adorn” the gospel. To “adorn” means “to enhance the appearance, especially with beautiful objects”. The beauty of our actions, the way God designed us to live, enhances the gospel to the watching world.
This is a significant reason to grow in these areas of living. Yes, this applies to men also and the calling God has given them. But as a woman, my focus is women! Ladies, you are the only person you can change. Keep your eyes on your heart. Do you want to honor God and His Word? Do you want to “adorn” the gospel and live out the truth of who Jesus is to your watching family, friends, and unbelievers?
The church and the world are watching. How we live our lives demonstrates what we really believe. Jesus says, “If you love me you will obey my commands” (John 14:16). As Paul gives these instructions to older women and younger women, the word of God is in view. Will we live in a way that shows we believe God is our Creator, Sustainer, All-Wise, All-Powerful, All-Faithful God who has purpose and wisdom in how He designed us to live? Or, will we fight against God’s word and live our own way?
God gives instructions through Paul to men. They are to be men who are “sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” God seems to list areas that may be of temptation for men.
The same is true of women. God gives specific areas to focus on that are directed at areas where we may be tempted to go our own way.
Think back to the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve receive instruction from God. Even before sin entered the world, humans needed instruction. How much more now that we and creation are under the curse of sin!
The next several blogs will discuss the truths Paul lays out to Titus regarding women.