A Life Worth Imitating: Paul’s Challenge to Older Women
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine; they are to teach what is good, so that they may train the younger women..."
—Titus 2:3–4
One of the most beautiful things about Paul’s letter to Titus is how intergenerational it is. This isn’t a vision for top-down leadership, but a Church family where every generation has a role to play.
In Titus 2:3–5, Paul speaks directly to older women—and he honors them by giving them a purpose, a platform, and a legacy.
He doesn’t just want them to be spiritually mature. He wants them to pass it on.
The Call to Reverence
“...to be reverent in behavior...”
The word Paul uses here (Greek: hieroprepēs) implies conduct that is fitting for someone devoted to holy things.
In other words: carry yourself as someone who belongs to God.
Not stiff or joyless, but dignified, prayerful, and anchored.
A woman whose presence speaks peace. A life shaped by worship.
The Warning Against Destructive Habits
“Not slanderers or addicted to much wine...”
Paul names two temptations that were common in the culture—and are still relevant today.
Slander: Using words to tear down rather than build up. Gossip, passive-aggressive speech, or spiritual superiority all fall into this category.
Addiction to wine: A numbing habit that subtly replaces trust in God. For some, it’s literal. For others, it might be any kind of coping mechanism that steals clarity and self-control.
Spiritual maturity doesn’t mean you're above temptation. It means you recognize it, resist it, and replace it with truth.
The Role of Teaching and Mentoring
“They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women...”
This is one of the few places in Scripture where Paul explicitly commissions women to teach—not from a pulpit, but from the platform of their lives.
It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about having lived long enough with God to share wisdom, presence, and encouragement.
Older women are uniquely equipped to:
Help younger women navigate marriage and motherhood
Model what spiritual endurance looks like
Offer clarity when the world is screaming confusion
This kind of mentoring isn’t flashy—but it’s powerful. It changes families, churches, and communities.
Why This Still Matters
In today’s culture, aging is often seen as something to fight off or hide. But in the Church, age is meant to be honored.Experience is sacred. And Paul’s vision is a relational model of discipleship, where every generation lifts the next.
This passage reminds us that women are not sidelined in the kingdom—they are essential. Their faithfulness, teaching, and presence are foundational for the spiritual formation of others.
A Word of Encouragement
If you’re an older woman reading this—your best spiritual years may still be ahead.
You are needed.
Your presence matters.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be faithful.
And if you’ve felt like your influence has faded—this is a reminder that in God's design, you’re still in the game.
Final Thoughts
Paul’s words in Titus 2:3–5 are not about controlling women. They’re about calling them into mission—a mission of mentoring, modeling, and multiplying the faith through grace-filled relationships.
So let’s thank God for the women who’ve walked ahead of us.
And let’s encourage more of them to live lives worth imitating.
Reflection Questions:
Who are the older women in my life whose faith I can learn from?
Am I living in a way that invites younger women to ask for guidance or friendship?
How can I cultivate habits of reverence, clarity, and gospel-centered mentorship?
