Titus 2:3

The aged women likewise That aged women, not of any order of women corresponding to that of -elders"; though this exact word is used of such an order in the 11th Laodicean Canon, -those that are called elder women, to wit those that preside in the church, must not be ordained"; cf. Neander, Ch. Hist., iii. 305 sqq.; and in Apocryphal Acts and Martyrdom of Matthew, Tisch. Act, apocr. apost., p. 187. It undoubtedly arose later, based upon this passage, see note on 1 Timothy 5:3-16.

be in behaviour Vulg. here -in habitu sancto," and in 1 Timothy 2:9 -in habitu ornato," but the Greek word here more properlycorresponds to the classical sense of habitus - settledways and bearing," (comp. -behaviour"), while the Greek word there fits its Low Latin sense -raiment" (- arrayment"), (comp. -riding habit"). The translation by the earlier English versions, Wiclif -habite," Tyndal, Cranmer -raiment," makes it likely that the sense of the Vulgate was the latersense of -habitus" and therefore here inadequate. R.V. rightly demeanour as covering more than the modern sense of -behaviour," Jerome's -incessus, motus, vultus, sermo, silentium."

as becometh holiness One word, an adjective, in the Greek, for which R.V. gives reverent, Alford -reverend," with a difference of meaning intended, though -reverent" had once the sense of -reverend," e.g. Homilies, p. 345, -partakers of his reverent Sacraments." But -reverent" now implies -with a certain dignity of sacred decorum," to use Jerome's words. -Reverend" occurs in English Bible only in Psalms 111:9, -holy and reverend is his name," and 2Ma 15:12, -a virtuous and a good man, reverend in conversation."

The Greek means literally -as becometh a sacred office," and, as the simple word and its derivatives are used especially of the priesthood, well expresses a reverential spirit of consecration, mindful of the Christian believer's priesthood and its requirements. This passage and 1 Timothy 2:9 -that women adorn themselves … which becomethwomen professing godlinessthrough good works," taken with 1 Peter 2:9, -a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession," and Titus 2:14, -a people for his own possession, zealous of good works," seem to supplement and explain one another. The phrase finds full recent appropriation in Miss F. R. Havergal's lines:

-Keep my life, that it may be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Keep my feet, that they may be

Swift and -beautiful" for Thee.

Keep my lips, that they may be

Filled with messages from Thee.

Keep myself, that I may be

Ever, only, all, for Thee."

Who that has known the happiness of help for Christian living from the example and service of such an elder saintly woman among his own kinsfolk or acquaintance, but will bless St Paul as Founder and Patron, through the Holy Spirit his Inspirer, of the best women's rights, although he -suffered not a woman to speak in the church"?

not false accusers As 1 Timothy 3:11, A.V. and R.V., not slanderers; see note.

not given to much wine Lit. with R.V. nor enslaved to much wine, cf. Romans 6:16-18, where however the Revisers leave the weaker -servants"; lit. -ye were enslaved to Righteousness." Cf. 2 Peter 2:19, -slaves of corruption, for of whom a man is overcome to the same is he also enslaved." The use of the word rendered -temperate" in 1 Timothy 3:11 in conjunction with -not slanderers," and corresponding to our phrase here, defines its meaning in these Epistles as strictly literal - sober, as to strong drinks;" see Titus 2:2.

This character of women generally for intemperance is satirised in Anthology, xi. 297, 1:

-Mother, how is it thou lovest the wine

More than thou lovest this son of thine?"

And xi. 298, 1 5:

-The thirsty boy begs mother for a draught;

But, like her sex, quite overcome with wine,

Still drinking deep and turning just her head,

"I can't "tis such a drop, dear laddie mine,

This flagon holds but thirty pints," she said."

teachers of good things The only other N.T. compound with this word for -good," -fair," -beautiful" is in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, -be not weary in well-doing." The adjective, used with -works," is specially characteristic of this Epistle; below Titus 2:7; Titus 2:14, Titus 3:8; Titus 3:14. The emphatic repetition in Titus 3:8 further shews that we are right in interpreting the compound here - teachers of good works." Compare the passages quoted above on -reverent." The contrast in these last four phrases of high calling and low falling is precisely parallel to that in 1 Timothy 3:2, and strictly in accord with the early Church history of grand saintliness and gross sin. It strengthens the argument for the literal meaning there of -husband of one wife."