Whether young or old, male or female, we all have a role to play in the church. (Titus 2:3)
Welcome to the Odd Verse of the Day!
Today's verse might raise some questions about gender roles:
"The aged women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good." - Titus 2:3 (NIV)
This verse can be misinterpreted, so let's explore its meaning in context.
Women as Influencers
Paul is instructing Titus, a church leader on the island of Crete.
Here, Paul emphasizes the important role older women play in the church. They were respected figures who could mentor younger women.
More Than Just Age
"Aged" doesn't just refer to physical age but also to spiritual maturity and wisdom gained through life experience. These women had a responsibility to use that wisdom to guide others.
The verse instructs these women on how to live.
They are to be respectful, avoid gossip and drunkenness, and instead focus on teaching what is good. This isn't about restricting women, but about emphasizing that how we live shapes our message.
Teaching by Example
The core message is that a life lived according to Christian principles gives weight to our words. If older women were to teach about self-control but struggle with gossip themselves, their message would be undermined.
This verse doesn't diminish women's influence. It highlights the importance of mature believers, both men and women, living lives that exemplify their faith and using their wisdom to guide others.
Today's Takeaway
- Regardless of gender, how can we live in a way that reflects our faith?
- How can we use our life experiences to encourage and teach others?
Everyone Plays a Part
Whether young or old, male or female, we all have a role to play in the church community. By living out our faith and using our gifts, we can all be teachers who inspire others.
Let's pray
Father, we all need you, and can be used by you. Help all of us find our place in your kingdom and use our gifts to bring others with us. Amen.
Today's verse comes from my video series, Roll For Verse. In this series, I roll dice to pick a random Bible verse each day. Then, I spend a few minutes sharing devotional thoughts on the verse. If you'd like to join the fun and study the Bible in a new way, check it out on TikTok or YouTube.
@pastor.payton Today’s R4V brings us back to Titus and the island of Crete to disect the roles (hah pun intended) of older men and women in the church! This video format is inspired by @Adventures In Aardia and his roll for sandwich series! Come back for more just like this! #rollforsandwich #dice #crete #greece #bible #d20games #study @Pastor Payton ♬ Medieval castle/Magic/Western-style building/Mystery/Otoboke(1464825) - AiM