Greetings sisters!
I'm praying that you are striving on and overcoming in Christ.
Today I wanted to begin writing more on "Titus 2". I've been meaning to for awhile but today it just came and so I went:-) We all hear about that chapter in particular in relation to godly women, older or younger (although there are Titus 2 old and young men too). But it is a particular passage of interest for us women who desire to know how the Lord would have us to live in obedience to Him if we have believed and obey the gospel. Please examine your life against that first because we can't just add works onto a false foundation. Imagine trying to build a house starting with the roof? It's useless. Nor can we try to work our way to heaven without true faith and Christ's righteousness. We have to have our foundation in Christ and new life in the Spirit first. And then if we have faith then we will have works; can't have one without the other (see James 2).
Moving on...
What does it mean to be a Titus 2 woman? Most often we hear it in connection to being a "keeper at home" and that is one of the areas listed. But there is much more to it than that. And we can't just choose to follow some and not the others.
I like to look back at the introduction to a book of the Bible. In this case of Titus, it was a letter between two saints. And I like to see why a book was written and to who etc. I share it here to get some background for our further studies.
"Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Titus 1:1-5
And then the start of Titus chapter 2 begins with this...
"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:"
Titus 2:1
A few verses before Paul told Titus these things in regard to evil deceivers entering in...
"This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."
Titus 1:13,16
So what I mean by that and what we see in Titus 2 is that following from that admonition, we are told what is good and what is sound doctrine for believers. We will be looking at it for believing women saints.
What does "sound" mean?
And "doctrine"?
And we know of this, about sound doctrine, that Paul warned us about...
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
2 Timothy 4:3
Isn't that time now?
But we women who claim to be followers of Christ, made new by the Spirit, will be seeking after sound doctrine. And we will not want to be like those who do not endure sound doctrine and who instead look for what they want to hear.
To get the context, I shall share the whole portion of Titus 2 here, where sound doctrine for us women is taught. It also has many similar things and says "likewise" because some of the teachings for how to live are the same for both men and women.
So this is sound doctrine (of which the whole Bible is full of, of course).
"That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."
Titus 2:2-8
And then Paul goes on to give teachings for servants and more, but as women we will be looking at the things pertaining particularly to us. Over time I plan to write a little more on each of the things written for women. But for now that gives us all some background to remember, so I am calling it an introduction.
Praise God we have this sound doctrine to hold onto and guide us in this time of great deception and in an age where many have no firm foundation in Christ and His gospel.
This verse gives us some warning.
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
Ephesians 4:14
And this is what we are to do in regards to those leaving these (and other) doctrines, the sound doctrine we have been given.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
Romans 16:17
This avoidance would also include leaving behind blogs, websites, or the fellowship with women (friends or family) who have left these doctrines that we have been given by Paul and other apostles by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (And we can reach out to the women with the truth of the gospel and what is sound doctrine and if they won't repent then they must be avoided and not just all spiritually united.)
Paul does command this...
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:1
And this...
"let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."
1 Corinthians 14:37
So we need to pay attention to all of this, ladies.
"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
1 Timothy 4:16
Lord willing, I plan to bring some further explanations and thoughts from Titus 2 for all of us women. In fact, that being in itself one of the things of sound doctrine "women teaching other women" these things. No, I am not an aged woman physically, nor am I really young, but I hope I may be able to exhort and encourage other women, particularly the younger in age or faith, to be in sound doctrine.
As Paul said to young Timothy...
"These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
1 Timothy 4:11-12
No I am not like Timothy as a leader, because godly women don't spiritually lead among Christ's saints and above men, but I do want to be an example of the believers and be blameless.
Until we meet here again, Lord willing.
Love in Christ to you all, young or old.
...from a Titus 2 young woman.
Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Jude 1:2
See the gospel of Jesus Christ here.