The Meaning of Titus 2:3 Explained

Titus 2:3

KJV: The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

YLT: aged women, in like manner, in deportment as doth become sacred persons, not false accusers, to much wine not enslaved, of good things teachers,

Darby: that the elder women in like manner be in deportment as becoming those who have to say to sacred things, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is right;

ASV: that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The aged women  likewise,  that [they be] in  behaviour  as becometh holiness,  not  false accusers,  not  given  to much  wine,  teachers of good things; 

What does Titus 2:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

These women were also to give evidence of their reverence for God in their behavior. Negatively they should avoid malicious gossip (Gr. me diabolous; slandering others; 1 Timothy 3:11; 1 Timothy 5:13-14) and dependence on enslaving substances such as wine (Gr. mede oino pollo dedoulomenas; 1 Timothy 3:8). Positively they should teach what is good (Gr. kalodidaskalous) by deed as well as word and encourage the younger women to fulfill their responsibilities ( Titus 2:4 a).
"We have bought into the notion that older people have had their day of usefulness and ought to make way for the young. But the principle here is quite the opposite. With age and experience come Wisdom of Solomon , and many older women have discovered secrets of godly living in relation to their husbands, children and neighbors and in the workplace that could save younger women a lot of unnecessary grief. And when the unavoidable trials come to the young woman, who better to guide her through than an older sister who has been through it before? Somehow the church must see that younger women have contact with older women." [1]

Context Summary

Titus 2:1-8 - A Pattern For Old And Young
The supreme test of all Christian teaching and Christian work depends on whether they produce healthy characters, which are not contaminated by the noisome and germ-laden atmosphere around. Our teaching must be healthy and also health-creating. There must be plenty of ozone in it.
The Apostle's strophes are few but fine. In the briefest sentences he seizes the salient features of Christian character. The aged man-strong, calm, patient, full of faith and love. The aged woman-holy, reverent, beloved, honored, and obeyed by the younger women of the same household or church. So also with the young men and women. What a life is sketched here against which the tongue of slander is dumb!
But, after all, these results cannot be realized apart from the personal holiness of their minister and leader. He must furnish a pattern of good works. His attitude to things which are questionable and doubtful must be decided not by his own predilections or fancies, but by the consideration of the effect which his action is likely to have on the keen eyes that are carefully watching him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Titus 2

1  Directions given unto Titus both for his doctrine and life
10  Of the duty of servants, and in general of all Christians

Greek Commentary for Titus 2:3

Aged women [πρεσβυτιδας]
Old word, feminine of πρεσβυτης — presbutēs only here in N.T. See πρεσβυτερας — presbuteras in 1 Timothy 5:2. [source]
Reverent [ιεροπρεπεις]
Old word Only here in N.T. Same idea in 1 Timothy 2:10. Like people engaged in sacred duties (Lock). In demeanour (κατιστημι — en katastēmati). Late and rare word (inscriptions) from μη διαβολους — kathistēmi deportment, only here in N.T. Not slanderers See note on 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3. Nor enslaved to much wine (δουλοω — mēde oinōi pollōi dedoulōmenas). Perfect passive participle of οινωι — douloō with dative case καλοδιδασκαλους — oinōi See note on 1 Timothy 3:8. “It is proved by experience that the reclamation of a woman drunkard is almost impossible” (White). But God can do the “impossible.” Teachers of that which is good Compound word found here alone, bona docentes (teaching good and beautiful things). A sorely needed mission. [source]
In demeanour [κατιστημι]
Late and rare word (inscriptions) from μη διαβολους — kathistēmi deportment, only here in N.T. [source]
Not slanderers [μηδε οινωι πολλωι δεδουλωμενας]
See note on 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3. Nor enslaved to much wine (δουλοω — mēde oinōi pollōi dedoulōmenas). Perfect passive participle of οινωι — douloō with dative case καλοδιδασκαλους — oinōi See note on 1 Timothy 3:8. “It is proved by experience that the reclamation of a woman drunkard is almost impossible” (White). But God can do the “impossible.” Teachers of that which is good Compound word found here alone, bona docentes (teaching good and beautiful things). A sorely needed mission. [source]
Nor enslaved to much wine [δουλοω]
Perfect passive participle of οινωι — douloō with dative case καλοδιδασκαλους — oinōi See note on 1 Timothy 3:8. “It is proved by experience that the reclamation of a woman drunkard is almost impossible” (White). But God can do the “impossible.” [source]
Teachers of that which is good [kalodidaskalous)]
Compound word found here alone, bona docentes (teaching good and beautiful things). A sorely needed mission. [source]
Aged women [πρεσβύτιδας]
N.T.oSee on πρεσβύτεραι , 1 Timothy 5:2. [source]
Behavior [καταστήματι]
N.T.oSee on καταστολή apparel 1 Timothy 2:9. It means, primarily, condition or state. Once in lxx, 1Timothy href="/desk/?q=1ti+5:3&sr=1">1 Timothy 5:3, and comp. 1 Timothy 2:10; Ephesians 5:3. [source]
False accusers [διαβόλους]
Better, slanderers. See on Matthew 4:1, and see on 1 Timothy 3:6, 1 Timothy 3:11. [source]
Given to much wine [οἴνῳ πολλῷ δεδουλωμένας]
More correctly, enslaved to much wine. The verb only here in Pastorals. Comp. 1 Timothy 3:8. [source]
Teachers of good things [καλοδιδασκάλους]
N.T.oolxx, oClass. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Titus 2:3

Matthew 4:1 The Devil [τοῦ διαβόλου]
The word means calumniator, slanderer. It is sometimes applied to men, as to Judas (John 6:70); in 1 Timothy 3:11 (slanderers )and in 2 Timothy 3:3, and Titus 2:3 (false accusers )In such cases never with the article. The Devil, Satan, the god of this world ( ὁ διάβολος ), is always with the article and never plural. This should be distinguished from another word, also wrongly rendered devil in the A. V. - δαίμων , and its more common neuter form δαιμόνιον , both of which should be translated demon, meaning the unclean spirits which possessed men, and were cast out by Christ and his apostles. The Rev., unfortunately, and against the protest of the American revisers, retains devil for both words, except in Acts 17:18, where it renders as A. V. gods. [source]
Matthew 4:1 To be tempted of the devil [πειραστηναι υπο του διαβολου]
Matthew locates the temptation at a definite time, “then” Judas has this term applied to him (John 6:70) as it is to men (2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:3) and women (she devils, 1 Timothy 3:11) who do the work of the arch slanderer. There are those today who do not believe that a personal devil exists, but they do not offer an adequate explanation of the existence and presence of sin in the world. Certainly Jesus did not discount or deny the reality of the devil‘s presence. The word “tempt” here (πειραζω — peirazō) and in Matthew 4:3 means originally to test, to try. That is its usual meaning in the ancient Greek and in the Septuagint. Bad sense of εκπειραζω — ekpeirazō in Matthew 4:7 as in Deuteronomy 6:16. Here it comes to mean, as often in the New Testament, to solicit to sin. The evil sense comes from its use for an evil purpose. [source]
Ephesians 6:11 The devil [τοῦ διαβόλου]
See on Matthew 4:1; see on John 6:70. In Job and Zechariah used as the equivalent of Satan (hater or accuser, see on Luke 10:18), of a single person, the enemy of mankind. In the other Old-Testament passages in which it occurs, it is used to translate either Satan or its equivalent in meaning, tsar (adversary, distresser ), but without the same reference to that single person. See Sept., 1 Chronicles 21:1; Esther 7:4; Esther 8:1; Psalm 108:6; Numbers 22:32. The Septuagint usage implies enmity in general, without accusation either true or false. In the New Testament invariably as a proper name, except in the Pastoral Epistles, where it has its ordinary meaning slanderous. See 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:3. As a proper name it is used in the Septuagint sense as the equivalent of Satan, and meaning enemy. [source]
1 Timothy 5:3 Widows [χήρας]
Paul alludes to widows in 1 Corinthians 7:8only, where he advises them against remarrying. They are mentioned as a class in Acts 6:1, in connection with the appointment of the seven. Also Acts 9:39, Acts 9:41. In the Pastorals they receive special notice, indicating their advance from the position of mere beneficiaries to a quasi-official position in the church. from the very first, the church recognised its obligation to care for their support. A widow, in the East, was peculiarly desolate and helpless. In return for their maintenance certain duties were required of them, such as the care of orphans, sick and prisoners, and they were enrolled in an order, which, however, did not include all of their number who received alms of the church. In Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians, they are styled “the altar of God.” To such an order the references in the Pastorals point. The Fathers, from the end of the second century to the fourth, recognised a class known as πρεσβύτιδες agedwomen (Titus 2:3), who had oversight of the female church-members and a separate seat in the congregation. The council of Laodicaea abolished this institution, or so modified it that widows no longer held an official relation to the church. [source]
1 Timothy 5:23 But use a little wine [ἀλλὰ οἴνῳ ὀλίγῳ χρῶ]
The reverse antithesis appears in Hdt. i. 171, of the Persians: οὐκ οἴνῳ διαχρέονται ἀλλ ' ὑδροποτέουσι theydo not indulge in wine but are water-drinkers. Comp. Plato, Repub. 561 C, τοτὲ μεν μεθύων - αὖθις δὲ ὑδροποτῶν sometimeshe is drunk - then he is for total-abstinence. With a little wine comp. much wine, 1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 2:3. [source]
1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women [πρεσβυτέρας]
N.T.oComp. πρεσβύτιδας agedwomen, Titus 2:3. The word indicates distinction in age merely, although some think that it points to an official position which is further referred to in the following directions concerning widows. [source]
1 Timothy 3:6 Of the devil [τοῦ διαβόλου]
See on Matthew 4:1, and see on Satan, 1 Thessalonians 2:18. Paul uses διάβολος only twice, Ephesians 4:27; Ephesians 6:11. Commonly Satan. The use of διάβολος as an adjective is peculiar to the Pastorals (see 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:3), and occurs nowhere else in N.T., and not in lxx. The phrase judgment of the devil probably means the accusing judgment of the devil, and not the judgment passed upon the devil. In Revelation 12:10Satan is called the accuser of the brethren. In 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20, men are given over to Satan for judgment. In 1 Timothy 3:7the genitive διαβόλου isclearly subjective. In this chapter it appears that a Christian can fall into the reproach of the devil (comp. Judges 1:9; 2 Peter 2:11), the snare of the devil (comp. 2 Timothy 2:26), and the judgment of the devil. [source]
1 Timothy 2:9 In modest apparel [ἐν κατασψολῇ κοσμιῳ]
Καταστολή N.T.oOnce in lxx, Isaiah 61:3. Opinions differ as to the meaning. Some apparel, others guise or deportment = κατάστημα demeanour Titus 2:3. There seems, on the whole, to be no sufficient reason for departing from the rendering of A.V. and Rev. Κοσμίῳ modestseemly, PastoNote the word - play, κοσμεῖν κοσμίῳ . [source]
1 Timothy 3:11 Not slanderers [μη διαβολους]
Original meaning of διαβολος — diabolos (from διαβαλλω — diaballō Luke 16:1), the devil being the chief slanderer (Ephesians 6:11). “She-devils” in reality (Titus 2:3). “While men are more prone to be διλογους — dilogous double-tongued, women are more prone than men to be slanderers” (White). Faithful in all things (πιστας εν πασιν — pistas en pāsin). Perhaps as almoners (Ellicott) the deaconesses had special temptations. [source]
1 Timothy 1:10 The sound doctrine [τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ]
A phrase peculiar to the Pastorals. Ὑγιαίνειν tobe in good health, Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10; 3 John 1:2. oP. Quite frequent in lxx, and invariably in the literal sense. Often in salutations or dismissals. See 9:19; 2Samuel href="/desk/?q=2sa+14:8&sr=1">2 Samuel 14:8; Exodus 4:18. In the Pastorals, the verb, which occurs eight times, is six times associated with διδασκαλία teachingor λόγοι wordsand twice with ἐν τῇ πίστει or τῇ πίστει inthe faith. The sound teaching (comp. διδαχή teaching 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9) which is thus commended is Paul's, who teaches in Christ's name and by his authority (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:8). In all the three letters it is called ἀλη.θεια or ἡ ἀλήθεια thetruth, the knowledge ( ἐπίγνωσις ) of which is bound up with salvation. See 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Timothy 3:7; Titus 1:1. As truth it is sound or healthful. It is the object of faith. To be sound in the faith is, practically, to follow ( παρακολουθεῖν ) sound teaching or the truth. The subjective characteristic of Christians is εὐσέβεια or θεοσέβεια godlinessor piety (1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:6, 1 Timothy 6:11); and the teaching and knowledge of the truth are represented as κατ ' εὐσέβειαν accordingto godliness (1 Timothy 6:3; Titus 1:1). Comp. εὐσεβεῖν toshow piety, 1 Timothy 5:4. εὐσεβῶς ζῇν to live godly, 2 Timothy 3:12; Titus 2:12; and βίον διάγειν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ tolead a life in all godliness, 1 Timothy 2:2. The contents of this sound teaching which is according to godliness are not theoretical or dogmatic truth, but Christian ethics, with faith and love. See 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:10; Titus 2:2. Ἁλήθεια truthis used of moral things, rather than in the high religious sense of Paul. Comp., for instance, Romans 3:7; Romans 9:1; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 11:10; Galatians 2:5; Ephesians 4:21, Ephesians 4:24; and 2 Timothy 2:25, 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Timothy 3:7(comp. 2 Timothy 3:1-9); 2 Timothy 4:3, 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:12(comp. Titus 1:11, Titus 1:15); Titus 2:4(comp. Titus 2:1, Titus 2:3); Titus 3:1. Whoever grasps the truth has faith (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:18; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:3f.). That the ethical character of faith is emphasized, appears from the numerous expressions regarding the false teachers, as 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 5:12; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21. There is a tendency to objectify faith, regarding it as something believed rather than as the act of believing. See 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21; Titus 1:4. In comparing the ideal of righteousness (1 Timothy 1:9) with that of Paul, note that it is not denied that Christ is the source of true righteousness; but according to Paul, the man who is not under the law is the man who lives by faith in Christ. Paul emphasizes this. It is faith in Christ which sets one free from the law. Here, the man for whom the law is not made (1 Timothy 1:9) is the man who is ethically conformed to the norm of sound teaching. The two conceptions do not exclude each other: the sound teaching is according to the gospel (1 Timothy 1:11), but the point of emphasis is shifted.| [source]
2 Timothy 3:3 Slanderers [διαβολοι]
See note on 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:3. Without self-control (ακρατεις — akrateis). Old word (α — a privative and κρατος — kratos), here only in N.T. Fierce Old word Found only here (α — a privative and πιλαγατος — philagathos for which see note on Titus 1:8). See also Philemon 4:8. A papyrus describes Antoninus as πιλαγατος — philagathos and has απιλοκαγατια — aphilokagathia f0). [source]

What do the individual words in Titus 2:3 mean?

[the] aged [women] likewise in behavior reverent not slanderers not to wine much being enslaved teachers of what is good
πρεσβύτιδας ὡσαύτως ἐν καταστήματι ἱεροπρεπεῖς μὴ διαβόλους μηδὲ οἴνῳ πολλῷ δεδουλωμένας καλοδιδασκάλους

πρεσβύτιδας  [the]  aged  [women] 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: πρεσβῦτις  
Sense: an aged woman.
ὡσαύτως  likewise 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡσαύτως  
Sense: in like manner, likewise.
καταστήματι  behavior 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: κατάστημα  
Sense: demeanour, deportment, bearing.
ἱεροπρεπεῖς  reverent 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: ἱεροπρεπής  
Sense: befitting men, places, actions or sacred things to God.
διαβόλους  slanderers 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: διάβολος  
Sense: prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely.
οἴνῳ  to  wine 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: οἶνος  
Sense: wine.
πολλῷ  much 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
δεδουλωμένας  being  enslaved 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: δουλόω  
Sense: to make a slave of, reduce to bondage.
καλοδιδασκάλους  teachers  of  what  is  good 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: καλοδιδάσκαλος  
Sense: teaching that which is good, a teacher of goodness.