His Word Today

“Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:15 ESV).

The Apostle Paul summarized his pastoral mentoring, in the immediate context, to Titus with four imperatives. Paul’s directives were to be obeyed for they ultimately came from the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

Declare these things. This present active imperative pertains to all that Paul had previously stated to Titus. It concerns the qualifications of church elders (1:5-9), false teachers (1:10-16), multigenerational ministry (2:1-10), and godliness (2:11-14). Proclamation!

Exhort!  To exhort (παρακαλέω; parakaleō) means to urge and implore. This second present, active imperative transitions from declaring truth to the application of God’s declared truth. Application!!

Rebuke! Pastors not only have the responsibility to declare God’s truth, and urge believers in Christ to apply God’s truth, but also to rebuke those who do not comply with God’s truth. To rebuke (ἐλέγχω; elenchō) means to expose, reprove and convict someone of wrong. Pastor are to rebuke those within the church who do not obey God’s Word. Confrontation!

The pastor’s responsibility to exhort and rebuke God’s people is due to his God-given authority. This does not mean that pastors are unaccountable to anyone. However, God calls pastors to exhibit great care in ministering in the church.

Let no one disregard you. To disregard (περιφρονέω; periphroneō) means to look down on or to be condescending. Pastors are to presently and actively not allow anyone to despise the position of pastor (Hebrew 13:7, 17).  

“Declare . . . exhort . . . rebuke. These three verbs identify the need for proclamation, application, and correction by the word. “Authority” to command people in the spiritual realm comes only from God’s word. Cf. Matt. 7:28–29. Rebellion against the truth has to be dealt with. Cf. Matt. 18:15–20; 1 Cor. 5:9–13; 2 Thess. 3:14–15,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

“First Timothy 4:11–16 is an important parallel passage, demonstrating along with Titus 2:15 the significance of the teaching office in the church. In fulfillment of the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18–20), all believers have a role in instructing others; however, the church’s appointed teachers have special authority to teach biblical doctrine, exhort and encourage others to believe it, and rebuke professing Christians who reject it. This authority is not inherent in the teacher but is based on the Word of God (15:1–9; 18:15–20), and his teaching is not binding if it violates Scripture,” states Dr. R. C. Sproul.   

Pray for your pastor(s) and church elders to be faithful in obeying these biblical commands set forth in today’s text. Pray for your congregation that they will be respectful of their pastor(s) and church elders. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹³ …”waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ 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.” (Titus 2:13–14 (ESV)

“It is an example of God’s merciful kindness to fallen humanity that He has willed that all of the knowledge needful for a relationship with Him, and for correct worship of Him, should be provided by Him. If it were not so, we would stumble in our own blindness. It is to the revelation of the divine mind expressed in Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) that all our thoughts, doctrine, worship, and obedience must always be conformed,” Dr. Bruce Bickel.  

In anticipation of His glorious return, the Apostle Paul affirmed to Titus the greatness of the great God and Savior; Jesus Christ. In doing so, Paul not only summarized the work of Christ but also the work of His followers.

To begin with, the apostle stated that Jesus Christ gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness. The phrase gave himself (δίδωμι ἑαυτοῦ; didomi heautou) means that Jesus personally and at a particular point in time “gave” Himself as a substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross for sinners (Mark 10:45; cf. Matt. 20:28; Gal. 1:4; 1 Tim. 2:6; Titus 2:14).

The purpose of Christ’s substitutionary gift of Himself on the cross was to redeem us (λυτρόω; lytroo). To redeem means to liberate and to deliver sinners from their spiritual indebtedness to God because of their sin. It refers to freeing someone by paying a ransom price (Luke 24:21; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18; Acts 28:19).

“Redemption means to release or set free, with the implied analogy to the process of freeing a slave—‘to set free, to liberate, to deliver, liberation, deliverance,” explains Greek scholars Johannes Louw and Eugene Nida.

The phrase all lawlessness (ἀνομία; anomia) means to live with a complete disregard for the laws or regulations of a society. It is to be wicked (Matt. 7:23; 13:41; 23:28; 24:12; Rom. 4:7; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:14; 2 Thess. 2:3, 7; Titus 2:14; Heb. 1:9; 10:17; 1 John 3:4+; Mark 16:15).

Not only did Christ redeem sinners from something (lawlessness) but He also redeemed us for something; to be a purified people zealous to serve Him by their good works. Today’s text says, “… to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

Purify (καθαρίζω; katharizo) refers to cleansing. Possession (περιούσιος; periousios) means to be Christ’s very own possession. Zealous (ζηλωτής; zelotes) means to be enthusiastic (Acts 21:20; 22:3; 1 Cor. 14:12; Gal. 1:14; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 3:13). Good works (καλός ἔργον; kalos ergon) refers to praiseworthy deeds.

“To redeem . . . purify summarizes the dual effect of salvation (regeneration and sanctification). To “redeem” is to release someone held captive, on the payment of a ransom. The price was Christ’s blood paid to satisfy God’s justice (Acts 20:28; Gal. 1:4; 2:20; 1 Pet. 1:18; cf. Mark 10:45). A people for his own possession are people who are special by virtue of God’s decree and confirmed by the grace of salvation that they have embraced (Titus 1:1–4). Cf. 1 Cor. 6:19–20; 1 Pet. 2:9. Good works are the product, not the means, of salvation. Cf. Eph. 2:10,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

Take time today to praise the Lord Jesus Christ for redeeming your soul and that He also has purified you in order to enthusiastically serve Him. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹¹ “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:11-13 ESV).

God calls believers in Christ to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions in their lives. Additionally, He also calls believers to be self-controlled, upright and godly. The Apostle Paul elsewhere referred to this discipline of sanctification as putting off the old self and putting on the new self (Eph. 4:17-24). It is not being conformed to this fallen world but rather being transformed by a renewed mind (Rom. 12:1-2). This is the Christian’s present responsibility.

“It is fitting that those who have been redeemed by Christ should live changed lives because the purpose of His redeeming work on the cross was to “redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). The grace of God that paid for our sins teaches us to turn away from them as we follow Jesus Christ through faith,” states Pastor Tom Ascol.

The believer in Christ is also waiting for something; or rather waiting for someone. Waiting (προσδέχομαι; prosdechomai) is a present, middle participle. This means that believers are presently and personally looking forward to an event. Paul calls this occasion the blessed hope (μακάριος ἐλπίς; makarios elpis) or the happy expectation ((cf. Rom. 8:22–23; 1 Cor. 15:51–58; Phil. 3:20–21; 1 Thess. 4:13–18; 1 John 3:2–3).  

All of us throughout the year have a happy expectation of an upcoming event. It may be, a birthday, a summer vacation, a trip to the beach, the beginning of the autumn season, a sporting event, a concert, or a favorite holiday. The anticipation is often as enjoyable as the actual event.

The blessed hope, or happy expectation, for the Christian is the soon return of Jesus Christ. Paul referred to this event as the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Biblical hope is a firm conviction that the future promises of God will be fulfilled. Hope is not mere wish projection but an assurance of what will come to pass,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.  

The word appearing (ἐπιφάνεια; epiphaneia) means a visible manifestation or display. Our English word Epiphany comes from this Greek word. What is to appear Paul calls the glory (δόξα; doxa). This refers to splendor and brightness. This glory belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose coming represents the believer’s deliverance from the presence of sin.

Paul calls Jesus our great God and Savior. He affirms the deity of Christ (John 1:1-2; Rom. 9:1-5; Col. 1:15-20).

We are to live each day Coram Deo; before the face of God. We do so in light of the confident expectation of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. May our lives reflect the eternal perspective of the now and the not yet.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹¹ “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” (Titus 2:11-12 ESV).

Godliness is an effect brought about by a preceding cause. The cause is the grace of God.

For the grace of God. Grace (χάρις; charis) refers to God’s unmerited and kind favor. It is favor originating from and sourced solely in God; the One, True God.

Paul stated that this grace of God has appeared (ἐπιφαίνω; epiphainō). Grace is a manifested and revealed work by God for sinners. Grace appeared not as a doctrine but more importantly as a person; Jesus Christ. Jesus is the embodiment of grace and the source of grace (Rom. 3:21-26).

Grace brings salvation (σωτήριος:sōtērios) or deliverance from sin’s penalty, power and eventual  presence. This gracious salvation is extended to all people, or all kinds of people.

“Bringing salvation to all people is sometimes misunderstood as meaning that all people will be saved. However, such a reading is not necessary here and flatly contradicts other Scripture (I Tim. 2:4). It means, rather, that salvation has been offered to all people (including all ethnic groups), not just to some,” explains Dr. Ray Van Neste of The University of Aberdeen.

This gracious salvation does not just address our past sins, along with our future hope of heaven. It also speaks to our daily pursuit of godliness. In the midst of this quest for Christ-like character, the believer battles the world, their remaining sinful desires (the flesh) and the Devil.

God’s grace presently and actively trains (παιδεύω; paideuō) or disciplines believers to renounce (ἀρνέομαι; arneomai) or deny certain behaviors. “Salvation is transforming (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:8–10), and transformation (new birth) produces a new life in which the power of sin has been broken (Rom. 6:4–14; Phil. 3:8–9; Col. 3:9–10),” states Dr. John MacArthur.

What is the believer in Christ to personally disown? Paul lists ungodliness (ἀσέβεια; asebeia) and worldly passions (κοσμικός; kosmikos/ ἐπιθυμία; epithymia).

Paul then instructs Titus regarding what the believer in Christ should do. This includes being self-controlled (σωφρόνως; sōphronō), upright (δικαίως; dikaiōs), and godly (εὐσεβῶς; eusebōs). This is how the Christian ought to live.

Is your Christian life characterized by not only what you do not do, but also what you do? Take time today to examine your walk with the Lord. Ask Him to reveal to you where you need strength and courage to be godly.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹¹ “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” (Titus 2:11-12 ESV).

“Knowing who God is (Theology Proper) includes right attitudes toward God and doing what He wants (piety/godliness).” Dr. Joel Beeke

Saving faith in the truth of the Gospel results in godliness. This is true for each believer in Christ. There are no exceptions (James 2:14-26). Godliness (εὐσέβεια; eusebeia) is the devout practice and appropriate beliefs of God. It is practical and practiced righteousness (Acts 3:12; 1 Tim. 2:2; 3:16; 4:7, 8; 6:3, 5, 6, 11; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:1; 2 Peter 1:3, 6, 7; 3:11). It is a dominant doctrine in the Pastoral Epistles (I & 2 Timothy; Titus).

The Apostle Paul stated at the beginning of his letter to Titus that salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone resulted in godliness (Titus 1:1). Those who profess to know Christ, but who live biblically disobedient lives, deny their profession by their works. Paul stated that these individuals are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work (Titus 1:16).

Godliness is a right attitude towards God resulting in right conduct; towards God and other individuals. It is right belief coupled with right action. However, the right action springs from right devotion (2 Tim. 3:5; 2 Peter 1:3) and not the opposite. “Godliness is the standard by which teaching is tested,” explains J. Clement Connell of London Bible College.

Godliness is synonymous with piety. Piety has become a pejorative or uncomplimentary word today. The perception is of excessive religion, self-righteousness, and/or a holier-than-thou attitude towards other people. E.g. Saturday Night Live’s Church Lady.

Biblical piety involves a fear or reverence of the LORD. It includes a conscientiousness regrading one’s duty to God and family.

“The sixteenth century Reformers, mot notably John Calvin, would be shocked to see how poorly piety (godliness) is regarded today. For Calvin, piety involves developing right attitudes to God. It flows out of theology and includes heartfelt worship, saving faith, filial fear, prayerful submission, and reverential love,” explains Dr. Joel Beeke.

“The whole life of Christians ought to be a sort of practice of godliness,” states John Calvin.

The godly individual is described in Psalm 1. It is a wisdom psalm that is an introduction for the rest of the psalter.

1” Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.”

We will examine Titus 2:11-12 in our next blog. Until then, mediate upon the subject of godliness and the content of Psalm 1. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁹ “Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” (Titus 2:9–10 (ESV)

The church is to be engaged in multi-generational life. While there may be particular emphasis placed on certain age group ministries in any given week, the church must not exclude any age group from any other. All generations in the church must be involved with each other. Examples include men and women’s ministries, AWANA, youth groups, Sunday school and Adult Bible Fellowships.

The Apostle Paul focused on healthy church behavior involving typical people groups in the church. He gave special attention to age and gender. We studied the importance of older men, older women, younger women, younger men and godly pastors. Today we focus on those who work.

The Apostle Paul used the term bondservants (δοῦλος; doulos) meaning slaves. These are individuals who subservient to and controlled by masters ((Mt 8:9; Mk 10:44; John 8:34; 15:15; Rom.  6:20; 1 Cor. 7:21; Gal.3:28; Eph. 6:5; 1Tim. 6:1; Phm. 16). Paul referred to all kinds of slaves in today’s text.  

 “Although masters legally held absolute authority over household slaves, in most cases household slaves held freedoms that field or mine slaves did not, and they had more adequate provision than most peasants. In the popular stereotype entertained by their owners, slaves were lazy, apt to argue with their masters and liable to steal when they could. The stereotype was sometimes true, especially where the work incentive was least, but Paul urges Christian slaves not to reinforce the stereotype. Minority religions were already viewed as subversive, and to counter this prejudice Christians had to work especially hard to avoid the normal causes of slander,” explains commentator Craig S. Keener.

How were Christian slaves to avoid these slanderous stereotypes? Paul provided Titus with some answers.

First, slaves were to be submissive to their masters in everything. This did not mean that Christian slaves were to disobey God’s Word. In that case, they were to obey God rather than man (Acts 4:1-9; 5:1-29). However, as long as their earthly masters did not order them to do something compromising to their faith in Christ, Christian slaves were to obey. This applies to believing employees and employers today (Eph. 6:5-9).

Second, they are to be well-pleasing and not argumentative. Well pleasing (εὐάρεστος; euarestos) means to be acceptable ((Rom. 12:1, 2; 14:18; 2 Cor. 5:9; Eph. 5:10; Php. 4:18; Col. 3:20; Titus 2:9; Heb. 13:21). This means to do the job as trained. Not argumentative (ἀντιλέγω; antilego) means to not talk-back, to speak against, and to not be difficult to work with. How many Christian’s testimonies have been tainted by their tendency to be disrespectful of their boss and to not do their job correctly?

Third, Christian slaves are not to pilfer. Pilfering (νοσφίζω; nosphizo) means to steal. It means to personally misappropriate company funds for oneself. Perhaps, this could even be applied to stealing time by not giving an hour’s work for an hour’s pay.

Fourth, they are to show all good faith. This means that the Christian slave’s trust in, dependence upon, commitment to and worship of Jesus Christ is to impact their daily work ethic. There is to be no distinction between one’s worship of Christ and one’s work representing Christ.

The goal of this ethic for Christian slaves and employees is that in everything they (slaves) may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. To adorn (κοσμέω; kosmeo) means to presently and actively present Christ as beautiful and pleasing. As an individual uses cosmetics to appear pleasing to the eye, so also our work should be pleasing to the eye of our masters and employers.

“A Christian slave is in fact serving, not his earthly master, but the Lord Christ who will vindicate him in the end (Col. 3:23–24). In the meantime he must avoid giving offense, and must concentrate on following Christ’s example in every way (cf. 1 Peter 2:18–25). In this way his life will prove to be an adornment to the teaching about God our Savior. Thus Paul drove home again what had been the theme of this entire section (Titus 2:1–10): a believer’s behavior is to be in accord with or befitting sound doctrine,” states commentator A. Duane Litfin.

May we glorify God in our behavior; whether we are older men, older women, younger women, younger men, pastors, or workers. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁷ “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us,” (Titus 2:7-8 ESV).

The church is to be engaged in multi-generational life. While there may be particular emphasis placed on certain age group ministries in any given week, the church must not exclude any age group from any other. All generations in the church must be involved with each other. Examples include men and women’s ministries, AWANA, youth groups, Sunday school and Adult Bible Fellowships.

The Apostle Paul focused on healthy church behavior involving typical people groups in the church. He gave special attention to age and gender. We studied the importance of older men, older women, younger women and younger men. Today, we examine the importance of godly pastors.

The Apostle Paul directed his attention to Titus in today’s text. Titus had responsibilities in the church. The phrase show yourself (παρεχόμενος; parechomenos/ σεαυτὸν; seauton) means to presently and personally offer and display something. This behavior was to be in all respects (πᾶς; pas) or in all things. Titus was to be a model (τύπον; typon) or an example before the church.

“Titus had a special obligation to exemplify the moral and spiritual qualities about which he was to admonish others (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:8–9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Heb. 13:7),” explains Dr. John MacArthur. .

All congregations have spoken, and unspoken expectations, of their pastors. Most of these expectancies are biblical. Some of them are not. Often, the pastor discovers that he has unknowingly failed to meet certain expectations that went beyond his explicit job description. The failure to meet these ‘tacit norms” may result in his suspension and even termination.

What biblical aspirations should a pastor, and congregation, expect to be fulfilled? Paul provided a list.

First, a pastor is to be model of good works (καλός kalos/ ἔργον; ergon).  He is to perform honorable labor.

Second, in his teaching he is to show integrity. The pastor’s doctrine (διδασκαλία; didaskalia) is to avoid corruption (ἀφθορία; aphthoria). It is be sound, incorruptible and untainted by anything false (ἀφθαρσία; aphtharsia). It is to be sincere.

Third, he is to possess dignity (σεμνότητα; semnotēta). He is to display dignified behavior. This refers to gracious and respectable actions.

Fourth, a pastor must have sound speech (λόγος; logos/ ὑγιής; hygiēs). He has nothing evil to say in his daily conversations (Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:16–17; 4:6). This is so that he will not be condemned (ἀκατάγνωστος; akatagnōstos) or rebuked for anything he says.

Sound speech will also put a pastor’s opponents to shame (ἐντρέπω; entrepō). They will be embarrassed in any accusations they make against a pastor because they are proven groundless.

Even if a pastor embodies these qualities, people will still lie about him and accuse him of sin and wrongdoing. Tragic but true. In those circumstances, the pastor must remain resolute to do what is right and in keeping with God’s call to ministry and godliness. He must trust that Lord to handle the situation (Rom. 12:14-21).

Pray that you will be an encouragement to your pastor. Pray that your pastor will take seriously these biblical expectations for life and ministry. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

^“Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled,” (Titus 2:6 ESV).

The church is to be engaged in multi-generational life. While there may be particular emphasis placed on certain age group ministries in any given week, the church must not exclude any age group from any other. All generations in the church must be involved with each other. Examples include men and women’s ministries, AWANA, youth groups, Sunday school and Adult Bible Fellowships.

The Apostle Paul focused on healthy church behavior involving typical people groups in the church. He gave special attention to age and gender. We studied the importance of older men, older women, and younger women. Today, we examine the importance of younger men.

The phrase younger men refer to those who are twelve and older in age. Paul instructed Titus that those in this category should fulfill their God-given expectations.

The Scriptures has much to say about young men. Here is a sampling.

1 Timothy 4:12 – “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

Proverbs 7:1- “My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.”

Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.”

2 Timothy 2:22 – “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

The Apostle Paul wanted Titus to have an active ministry to younger men. He instructed him to urge (παρακάλει; parakalei) younger men to be something. The word urge is a present, active imperative verb. Titus was to command these men to be self-controlled.

Self-control (σωφρονεῖν; sōphronein) means to be sober-minded or seriously minded. This is a present, active infinitive verb. This discipline of character is to a consistent part of the young man’s life.

Of all the things the Apostle Paul could have said to Titus about younger men, he emphasized their need for self-control. Why?

“Self-mastery in the Christian sense has an element of humility lacking in the Greek moralists. It (self-control) is, in fact, an essentially religious conception in the New Testament,” explains commentator Donald Guthrie.

“Young men receive only one word of exhortation: “Encourage the young men to be self-controlled” (v 6). But that does cover the temptations young men face! Lust, ambition, impatience—all require a response of self-control,” states commentator Tim Chester.

Pray for the young men in your family and church family. Pray that they would be men of self-control in a culture which encourages wild abandon. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁴ “… and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” (Titus 2:4-5 ESV)

The church is to be engaged in multi-generational life. While there may be particular emphasis placed on certain age group ministries in any given week, the church must not exclude any age group from any other. All generations in the church must be involved with each other. Examples include men and women’s ministries, AWANA, youth groups, Sunday school and Adult Bible Fellowships.

The Apostle Paul focused on healthy church behavior involving typical people groups in the church. He gave special attention to age and gender. We studied the importance of older men and women. Today, we examine the importance of younger women.

The phrase younger women refer to those who are under sixty years of age. Paul instructed Titus that those in this category should fulfill their God-given expectations.

The older women would be humble advisors to the young. They are to train ((σωφρονίζωσι; sōphronizōsi) those who are younger. This means to give instruction in wise behavior and good judgment. What instruction is recommended?

First, young women are to love their husbands and children. This is to be a kind and friendly love. It is a maternal love for one’s family.

Second, they are to self-controlled (σώφρονας; sōphronas). This is also expected of older men (2:2). This means to be self-restrained and discreet.

Third, young women are to be pure (ἁγνάς; hagnas). This refers to moral and ethical behavior.

Fourth, they are to be workers at home (οἰκουρούς; oikourous). They are to be the guardians of the house ((Prov. 7:11; 31:10-31; 1 Tim. 5:13).

Fifth, young women are to be kind (ἀγαθάς; agathas) This means to be good and beneficent (Matt. 20:15; Rom. 5:7; 1 Peter 2:18). They are not to be rude, impolite and stingy, but thrifty as housewives.

Sixth, they are to be kind and submissive to their own husbands. This means to be responsible to and for their husbands welfare.

All of these character traits are so the Word of God will not be reviled (βλασφημῆται blasphēmētai). The Gospel is to be preeminent in our lives.

“This is the purpose of godly conduct—to eliminate any reproach on Scripture. For a person to be convinced God can save from sin, one needs to see someone who lives a holy life. When Christians claim to believe God’s word but do not obey it, the word is dishonored. Many have mocked God and his truth because of the sinful behavior of those who claim to be Christians (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:9),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

Pray not only that the older women in your church will help train the younger women, but also that the younger women would be receptive to such training. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!