SOUND DOCTRINE FOR AGED WOMEN

Titus 2:3-4a The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women.

Just as aged men should know, and abide by, the will of God, the aged women of the church of Christ are to learn sound doctrine, as taught by the holy, inspired teachers of God's word, and faithfully use it to pattern their Christian lives, as they serve the cause of Christ from day to day. For anyone to contend that women have a secondary, or no role in the church of Christ, simply has not studied this scripture and gained the truths that it contains.

Consider Paul's admonitions to Titus regarding his teaching of the Christians within the body of Christ on the island of Crete. Sound doctrine, that comes from the will of God, says that the aged women should learn from it, be obedient to it, and always conduct their lives in behavior as becometh holiness. Most certainly this is a general teaching that applies to all Christians, and not limited only to aged women. When one professes to be a Christian, then their behavior should exemplify that fact. To express to the world that one is dedicated to God, and the cause of Christ, their behavior, that is, their outward demeanor - that which is observed by others, must comply with the will of God, as found in His inspired word. Their appearance and conduct should be modest at all times. In the eyes of the world in which they live, their physical beauty should never exceed, and outshine, their godly adornment of good works (See 1 Tim. 2:9-10), or the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (See 1 Pet. 3:3-5).

In order for aged women to always demonstrate behavior as becometh holiness, scriptural conduct of life is required. The characteristics mentioned in the verse preceding the lesson text are certainly not limited to aged men. To be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience, applies just as well to all Christians, including aged women. In the lesson text, a few additional, but certainly not all conduct requirements, are given in the lesson text. Aged women within the body of Christ should not be false accusers. Sowing the seeds of strife and disharmony, uttering false statements that are harmful to another's character, and malicious gossip that spreads rumors about others, are all included in the broad classification of false accusers. They are sins in the sight of God, and should never be found in the character of holy, and godly, aged women.

It is also sound doctrine for Titus, and all other faithful gospel preachers of God's word, to teach that aged women should not (be) given to much wine. The use of wine, and allowing its addictive, and mind altering nature to control one's character, is definitely sinful in the sight of God. The only sure way to avoid the sinful nature of wine and similar beverages, is abstinence from its use. One cannot carry out the will of God and teach it to others with a mind that has become confused, clouded, and impaired by the intoxicating nature of "strong drinks," such as wine. The knowledge of, and obedience to, God's will must never be compromised by the effects of being given to much wine.

From a positive standpoint, aged women within the church of Christ, should become, and remain, teachers of good things. Although women are not to teach in public worship assemblies of the body of Christ that include both men and women (1 Cor. 14:34-35), they are still required by God to teach by example, in word communication, and according to scriptural doctrine. Although restricted from teaching in public worship services, there are no biblical restrictions of women teaching children under that age of accountability, younger women, or women of any age. Neither is there biblical authority that restricts women from teaching anyone, both men and women, in private settings. There is even a good example in God's word where a woman named Priscilla, along with her husband, Aquila, taught a young preacher by the name of Apollos, in that they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:24-26).

To teach good things limits what is taught to that, which is profitable. Not only to teach what is needed by others to lead a good social and domestic life, but especially what is beneficial to lead a good spiritual life. This, the apostle Paul says, is Sound Doctrine for Aged Women!