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Titus 2:3
3 The aged women [presbutis] likewise [hosautos], that they be in [en] behaviour [katastema] as becometh holiness [hieroprepes], not [me] false accusers [diabolos], not [me] given [douloo] to much [polus] wine [oinos], teachers of good things [kalodidaskalos]; KJV-Interlinear
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, NASB
In the last verse, older men (mature men) were addressed, and now older (mature) women are addressed. Again, as age is recognized, it is not a prerequisite to maturity and wisdom.
But just as the age’s of these two respective groups are described, the single word that ties these two verses together is, ‘hosautos.’ This means, likewise, in the same manner, after the same pattern. And this word is the single word that really ties the behavior of men and women together in the scriptures.
In Matt. 22, we are told that in heaven there will be neither marriage nor giving in marriage. That we will be similar to the angels as far as our relationships with others, go. Also, Gal. 3, teaches us that there will be neither male nor female. This is a biological distinction for this life, that has contributed to human history in many ways.
And although there are many differences between male and female, physical, biological, even emotional, these differences were allowed to exist here in this life in order to teach, as many things in this world do, of our relationship with God through doctrine.
In life husband and wife cleave to each other. They do not betray each other, and so forth. In the spiritual life, we are to cleave, become one as it were, with doctrine, and in so doing secure and complete our relationship with God for all of eternity.
In eternity there will be relationships with others, but those relationships will be far better than anything that currently exists. We don’t have the capacity to understand or comprehend them.
And as for how people are to conduct themselves in this life, the female is to be mature, just as the male is. The female is to be grown up in doctrine, obedient to Gods mandates, poised, non-complaining, thoughtful, understanding, responsible, reverent, honest, honorable, etc.
The female is to withhold from gossiping, as we all are. Gossiping is an intrusion into someone else's life, a violation of their right to life, an expression of judgment of which none of us have a right to do.
We are all, not just women, to refrain from things that will tend to make us divorced from reality. Wine is used here as the example, but there are many things that are used in life as escapes. Drugs, alcohol, the many and various lust drives are examples of just a few.
‘Teaching what is good,’ means to set the example for others.
Each individual Christian, is a beacon of light on the hilltop. Everyone can see you and everyone will evaluate you, whether you know them or not. So, whether you understand it or not, God has placed you here in this world as an example for others.
Unfortunately, probably ninety-nine percent of all Christians are bad examples of Christianity. So if you are pursuing any semblance of a legitimate and honorable spiritual life, that places you in historys’ smallest minority group, ever.
