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PROFILE OF GODLY OLDER WOME
Dr. Jim Cecy
Series: Profiles in Faith: Learning From the Victories and Failures of Our Fellow Humans
Introduction:
Titus 2:1 "But as for you (Titus), speak the things which are fitting for sound (i.e. healthy) doctrine."
Titus 2:3-4 "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…”
Older women = Greek: presbutis = women people who have reached a level of spiritual maturity.
The Five Qualities of a Godly Older Women
#1 She is reverent in her behavior.
Titus 2:3 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior…”
KJV = "behavior that becometh holiness" Lit. "…behavior that is fitting for a priest…"
Being an older woman is a sacred duty! God is calling older women to be so God-like in character and
behavior that other women flock to your counsel just like the women of old would seek after the priest in the
Temple.
“I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (cf. Phil 3:12-14)
aomi = The Reverent Woman
Ruth 1:16-17 "But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will
go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I
will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."
Becoming “reverent in behavior” begins on the inside and works its way out.
1 Pet. 3:3-5 "And let not your adornment be merely external-- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting
on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used
to adorn themselves...”
1 Tim. 2:9-10 "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with
braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a
claim to godliness."
"Lord, give us more older women who are sanctuaries like Naomi.”
#2. Older women are not be malicious gossips. Titus 2:3 "…not malicious gossips…”
KJV = “false accusers”; NIV = “slanderers”
gossips = Greek: diabolous = gossips, slanderers/devils
Prov. 6:16-19 “There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty
eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to
evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.”
In I Timothy 3:11 the Apostle Paul warns deaconesses (or it could be the wives of deacons) concerning the danger
of gossip. In I Timothy 5:13 he warns young widows of the same problem.
• slander = telling that which is not true
• gossip = telling that which may be true to the wrong person
• innuendo = indirect remarks
Gossip is so unbecoming of a godly woman
Prov. 11:22 "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion."
"Do not associate with a gossip" Prov. 20:19
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#3. Older women are not be enslaved to much wine.
Titus 2:3 “…nor enslaved to much wine…”
1 Corinthians 6:12 “…I will not be mastered by anything…”
Eph. 5:18 "…do not get drunk with wine for that is dissipation but be filled with the Spirit."
enslaved = Greek: douloo = to be under the control of someone or something (enslaved)
#4. Older women are to be teaching what is good.
Titus 2:3 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to
much wine, teaching what is good..."
“teaching what is good” = Greek: kalodidaskolos = kalos: good beautiful/balanced/whole + didaskolos = teacher
Inner Beauty Lessons
“…let not your adornment be merely external…let it be the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:3-5)
#5. Older women are to be encouraging younger women.
Titus 2:4-5 “…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, so that the word of God will not be
dishonored.”
encourage: Greek: sophronidzo = to school/train/correct/bring one to their senses/to make sober-minded
Older women have been ordained by God to help bring younger women to their senses.
Concluding Challenge:
The Five Qualities of Godly Older Women
#1 They are reverent in their behavior
#2. They are not malicious gossips.
#3. They are not enslaved to bad habits
#4. They teach what is good
#5. They encourage younger women
Prayer of Dedication
© 2011 Dr. James M. Cecy, Campus Bible Church, Fresno, CA. 93726 www.campusbiblechurch.com
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