Like older men in the church,
older women (taken from the same Greek word for older men but in the feminine)
are to be given respect.
Paul instructed Timothy that
when an older woman does something wrong, she should be lovingly rebuked as a
mother (1Timothy
05.02).
Paul says that older women are
to 1st be…“3 reverent in their behavior”
“3 reverent” G2412. ieroprephv hieroprepes hee-er-op-rep-ace';
from 2413
& the same as 4241; reverent:-- as becometh holiness.
3 behavior,” G2688. katasthma katastema kat-as'-tay-mah;
from 2525;
properly, a position or condition, i.e. (subjectively) demeanor:-- behaviour.
The Greek word has the root
meaning of being like a priest & than became a word to describe that which
is holy.
So an older woman was to be a
Godly example of holiness.
An excellent example of this is
Anna, who was a widow & she never left the Temple, serving night & day
(Luke 02.37).
At the very moment she saw the baby Jesus, she “…came up & began giving thanks to God, & continued to speak of Him to all
those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 02.38)
Paul told Timothy about how
reverent women are to act. (1Timothy 02.09-15)
“3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in
their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what
is good, “4 so that they may encourage the young women…”
2nd older women are not
to be…“3
malicious gossips”
“3 malicious gossips” G1228.
diabolov diabolos dee-ab'-ol-os;
from 1225;
a traducer; specially, Satan [compare 07854]:-- false accuser, devil, slanderer.
G1225. diaballw diaballo dee-ab-al'-lo;
from 1223
& 906;
(figuratively) to traduce:-- accuse.
Thayer-prone to
slander, slanderous, accusing falsely
1Timothy 03.11; 2Timothy 03.02-03
This word is used 38 times in 36 verses in the New
Testament, w/35 of those as a title for Satan.
Satan was called by Jesus as “the father of lies” (John 08.44).
Paul says that older women are
women who refuse to listen & spread gossip.
“3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in
their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what
is good, “4 so that they may encourage the young women…”
3rd older women are to not be…“3 enslaved to
much wine”
This literally means that they are not to be wholly given up
to or enslaved to wine. They are not to be like many of the older people of
Crete who would turn to strong drink as a way to drown their sorrows, aches,
pains & even loneliness.
“3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in
their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what
is good, “4 so that they may encourage the young women…”
4th older women are
to be…“3
teaching what is good,”
“3 teaching what is good,” G2567. kalodidaskalov kalodidaskalos kal-od-id-as'-kal-os; from 2570 & 1320; a teacher of the
right:-- teacher of good things.
Only time this Greek word is used in the New Testament.
This means that they are to be giving instruction that is
noble, excellent & Godly.
Having raised & taught their children in the ways of the
LORD, they are now given another responsibility…
5th older women are
to be…teaching & encouraging younger women.
“4 so that they may encourage the young women…”
“4 may encourage” G4994.
swfronizw sophronizo so-fron-id'-zo;
from 4998;
to make of sound mind, i.e. (figuratively) to discipline or correct:-- teach to
be sober.
Thayer-to make
one of sound mind, in one’s senses, restore one to his senses; to moderate,
control, curb, discipline; to hold one to his duty; to admonish, to exhort
earnestly
Older women are to model &
teach Godliness in order to encourage the young women in the church.
This is similar to what Paul
wrote to Timothy about the Christian woman. (1Timothy 02.15)
Paul tells Timothy that a woman
will find her greatest satisfaction & meaning in life, not in seeking the
male role, but in fulfilling God’s design for her as a wife & mother.
Their ministry is not to run a church, but to care for the
home & bear children…1Timothy 05.14
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