Titus 2:3
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Original Language Analysis
καταστήματι
behaviour
G2688
καταστήματι
behaviour
Strong's:
G2688
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, a position or condition, i.e., (subjectively) demeanor
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
6 of 12
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
διαβόλους
false accusers
G1228
διαβόλους
false accusers
Strong's:
G1228
Word #:
7 of 12
a traducer; specially, satan (compare h7854)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
8 of 12
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
πολλῷ
to much
G4183
πολλῷ
to much
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
10 of 12
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
Cross References
1 Timothy 3:11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.Titus 2:4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,Titus 1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;Romans 16:2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.1 Timothy 3:8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Historical Context
First-century women's limited public roles made domestic discipleship crucial. Older women mentored younger in household management, child-rearing, and godliness. Wine's universal use made addiction a real danger, especially for isolated women. Slander filled idle time; godly teaching provided purposeful alternative.
Questions for Reflection
- Older women: does your life exhibit sacred dignity befitting holiness, or do you blend into worldly patterns?
- Do you struggle with sins of the tongue—gossip, slander, negativity—imitating the Devil's character?
- Are you actively teaching younger women godly living, or are you passively consuming rather than pouring out?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The aged women likewise—πρεσβύτιδας (presbytidas, aged women) receive parallel instruction. That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness—ἐν καταστήματι ἱεροπρεπεῖς (en katastēmati hieroprepeis, in deportment/bearing reverent/befitting sacred things). The compound ἱεροπρεπής suggests priestlike demeanor; Christian women's daily conduct has sacred dignity.
Not false accusers (μὴ διαβόλους, mē diabolous)—διάβολος (diabolos) is the Devil's title (slanderer/accuser). Gossip imitates Satan's character (Revelation 12:10). Not given to much wine (μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ δεδουλωμένας, mē oinō pollō dedoulōmenas)—literally "not enslaved to much wine." The perfect passive participle δεδουλωμένας depicts ongoing slavery. Teachers of good things (καλοδιδασκάλους, kalodidaskalous)—they teach τὸ καλόν (to kalon, the beautiful/noble/good), specifically training younger women (v. 4).