"THE EPISTLE TO TITUS" Sound Doctrine For Young Women (2:4-5) INTRODUCTION 1. Our text continues to describe "things which are proper for sound doctrine" - Tit 2:1 a. Doctrine that is spiritually healthy, wholesome b. In this case, exhortations related to godly conduct 2. We have already considered... a. Conduct becoming older men and older women - Tit 2:2-4 b. Examples to inspire older men and women to bear fruit in their old age [We now turn our attention to...] I. CONDUCT BECOMING YOUNG WOMEN A. TO LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS AND CHILDREN... 1. To love their husbands (philandros), to love their children (philoteknos) 2. To have an affectionate love for both husband and children 3. This should be natural, but sin can lead one to become unloving - Ro 1:31 4. Note that this is something the older women can train them - Ti 2:4 (ASV, ESV, NIV) -- Where such love is lacking in younger women, it can be relearned! B. DISCRETE AND CHASTE... 1. Discreet (sophron) a. Also required of older men (where it is translated as 'temperate') - Tit 2:2 b. Discreet, sober, temperate, of a sound mind c. Self-disciplined in one's freedom, self-restrained in all passions and desires - TCWD 2. Chaste (hagnos) a. Pure from carnality, chaste, modest - Thayer b. Pure in heart, and in life - Barnes c. In body, in affection, words and actions, having their love pure and single to their own husbands, keeping their marriage bed undefiled - Gill d. This conduct would be just as important for single women - cf. 1Co 7:34 -- Young women, married or single, should be discreet and chaste in their behavior C. HOMEMAKERS... 1. Homemakers (oikouros) 2. A keeper at home, one who looks after domestic affairs with prudence and care - TCWD 3. Attentive to their domestic concerns, or to their duties in their families - Barnes 4. A virtuous woman might be engaged in economic affairs outside the home, but not to the neglect of her family - cf. Pr 31: 10-31 (note esp. 16,24,31) -- Her duty is first to home and family, though may work outside the home if capable D. GOOD... 1. Good (agathos) 2. Other translations have "kind" (ASV, ESV, NASB, NIV, NRSV) 3. In respect to operation or influence on others, i.e., useful, beneficial, profitable - TCWD -- As a young woman carries out her duties, she is to do so with goodness and kindness E. OBEDIENT TO THEIR HUSBANDS... 1. Obedient (hupotasso) 2. To subject oneself, place oneself in submission - TCWD 3. Wives are to be in submission to their husbands - Ep 5:22; Co 3:18; 1Pe 3:1,5 4. Although there is an ontological spiritual equality between men and women (Ga 3:28; 1Pe 3:7), there remain physical, positional and functional differences. There are designated functions for a husband and a wife which man cannot change because God has ordained them. Any endeavor to effect change will bring frustration, vanity, and emptiness. - TCWD -- Submission is a virtue enjoined on all Christians (Ep 5:21; 1Pe 5:5); wives can demonstrate how it should be done [Such is the conduct that is becoming of young women. Many today scoff at such notions. But for those willing to obey, they can be used by God to accomplish great things. Consider some...] II. EXAMPLES TO INSPIRE YOUNG WOMEN A. HANNAH... 1. Whose name means "gracious, merciful; that he gives" - Hitchcock 2. Her trials and prayers were rewarded by God giving her a son, Samuel - 1Sa 1:1-20 3. Who was willing to dedicate her son to the Lord - 1Sa 1: 21-28; 2:18,19 4. Who offered a prayer of thanksgiving, that is similar to the song of Mary - 1 Sa 2:1-10 5. And was later blessed with three more sons, and two daughters - 1 Sa 2:20-21 -- A woman of faith who dedicated family in service to the Lord B. ESTHER... 1. A beautiful orphan girl, raised by her cousin Mordecai - Est 2:7 2. Who became wife of Ahasuerus, king of Persia - Es 2:8-17 3. Who risked her life to save the Jews from extinction - Est 4:13-16 -- A beautiful and gracious woman, used in God's providence to save a nation C. MARY... 1. The young virgin who became the mother of our Lord - Lk 1: 26-38; Mt 1:18-25 2. Who came to understand who her son's true family was - cf. Lk2:48-51; Mt 12:46-50 2. Who followed her son to His crucifixion - Jn 19:25 3. Who was later together with His apostles - Ac 1:13-14 -- A chaste and discreet woman, who reminds us that all our children belong to God D. PRISCILLA... 1. The wife of Aquila - Ac 18:1-3 2. Who joined her husband in teaching Apollos - Ac 18:26 3. Fellow workers with Paul, and who risked their own lives - Ro 16:3-4 4. In whose home churches met - Ro 16:5; 1Co 16:19 -- A wife who used her home to further the cause of the gospel of Christ E. MODERN DAY EXAMPLES... 1. Women who love their husbands and their children, providing homes for them 2. Those who do not let their families become a hindrance, but as a way to serve the Lord 3. Chaste and discreet girls, even teenagers, who take a stand for decency and morality 4. Women who demonstrate the beauty and value of submission and service -- Who will God use today? Any young woman who dares to follow the Lord! CONCLUSION 1. Some might think that Paul's words in our text... a. Are chauvinist and outdated b. Would prevent women from attaining their full potential 2. Yet time and experience has shown it to be sound doctrine... a. Doctrine that is spiritually healthy, wholesome for young women b. That which is most beneficial in developing truly healthy families Are the young women willing to heed such sound doctrine, "that the word of God may not be blasphemed"...?Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
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