Calling Older Women
Summer 2022
God’s plan for the spread of the gospel and the building up of believers in their most holy faith is wonderfully good beyond what most of us think. We glimpse the plan in the book of Titus where the great missionary Paul left his young colleague Titus to set in order things lacking in the church organization. Titus was to hold fast the faithful Word and speak sound doctrine both to rebuke false teachers as well as to ground the believers in the faith and in the way they lived. As the gospel countered Cretian paganism, Paul was concerned that every part of the church body “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things (Titus 2:10), be a testimony, and honor (not blaspheme) the Word. After addressing the aged men in Titus 2:2, Paul speaks several instructions for the “aged” or older, mature Christian woman in Titus 2:3.
First, older women are to “be in behavior as becometh holiness.” The behavior of older women should be fitting or proper to live out the gospel. The phrase “becometh holiness” is interesting because this Greek word for holiness refers to “sacred, reverent duties of a priest,” using the same root as in 1Peter 2:9, “a royal priesthood.” God’s sacred calling for His older daughters is to be priest-like: knowing, praying, and living out the Word of God. Generations of Jewish people likely would have recognized the older woman Anna when they came to Jerusalem for the feasts. Widowed young, she served God with continual fastings and prayers in the temple. Not only did Anna pray, but she rejoiced to see the Christ child and “spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). Today’s older women in the empty nest season of life can establish new routines of Bible study and prayer, entering the throne room of heaven to intercede for young women, for children, and for the spreading of the gospel! To be a priest-like prayer warrior is a high calling for God’s older daughters! Many of us know and love beautiful, godly, prayerful older women exemplifying this high calling.
In glaring contrast to the lofty privilege of praying for others, Paul also warns older women against falsely accusing others—gossiping, speaking critically, and slandering. The Greek word for accusers in this passage is “diabolos,” a word used for the devil many times in the New Testament. Using her tongue for accusatory purposes is doing the devil’s work and should have no place in a Christian woman’s life. Rather, as the Proverbs 31 woman, older women should speak with wisdom and their tongue be governed by the law of kindness. Not to be taken lightly, older women need to heed this warning.
Thirdly, older women are to “not be given to much wine”: they are not to be drunkards, nor enslaved to or in bondage to alcohol, nor any addictive substance, (according to commentators). God’s special servant John the Baptist didn’t drink wine, and when Jesus was on the cross, He refused the wine mixed with vinegar. Rather than being drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:18), believers are to be filled with the Spirit. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) and not give place to indulgences that lead to bondage.
Finally, older women are to be teachers of good things. God’s goodness experienced through a walk of faith and studied from the Scriptures supplies the content. Stories of God’s provision, answers to prayer, and trusting Him are invaluable to sharing. Teaching includes encouraging, mentoring, and informal chatting in ways that build relationships. Encouraging young women—teen girls, single women, young married women, and young mothers—provides rewarding and beautiful friendships.
Hear the call of God to you, dear older godly woman! Adorn the gospel, honor God’s Word, and exemplify a worthy walk with God in your mature years! Pray for the Lord to make you the older woman of God He wants you to be. Pray for opportunities to encourage young women in your family and church. Thereby, God’s gracious call to you will be fulfilled in your life for His own glory!
Mrs. Barbara Mooney