Titus 2:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
American King James Version (AKJV)
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
American Standard Version (ASV)
that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
That old women are to be self-respecting in behaviour, not saying evil of others, not given to taking much wine, teachers of that which is good,
Webster's Revision
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
World English Bible
and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
English Revised Version (ERV)
that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanour, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
Clarke's Titus 2:3 Bible Commentary
The aged women likewise - I believe elderly women are meant, and not deaconesses.
That they be in behavior - Εν καταστηματι ἱεροπρεπεις· That they be in their dress, gait, and general deportment, such as their holy calling requires; that they be not like the world, but like the Church, decent without, and adorned with holiness within.
Not false accusers - Μη διαβολους· Not devils; we have had the same expression applied in the same way, 1 Timothy 3:11 (note).
Not given to much wine - Μη οινῳ πολλῳ δεδουλωμενας· Not enslaved by much wine, not habitual drunkards or tipplers; habit is a species of slavery. Both among the Greeks and Romans old women were generally reputed to be fond of much wine; hence the ancient scholiast on Homer, Il. vi., speaking of old women, says: Χαιρει τῳ οινῳ ἡ ἡλικια αυτη· At this age they delight in wine; which words Ovid seems to have translated literally: Vinosior aetas haec erat. It is likely, therefore, that it was customary among the elderly women, both Greeks and Romans, to drink much wine, and because it was inconsistent with that moderation, which the Gospel requires, the apostle forbids it: doubtless it was not considered criminal among them, because it was a common practice; and we know that the Greek philosophers and physicians, who denied wine to young persons, judged it to be necessary for the aged. See the note on 1 Timothy 5:23.
Barnes's Titus 2:3 Bible Commentary
The aged women likewise - Not only those who may have the office of deaconesses, but all aged females.
That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness - Marg, "holy women." The Greek word is not found elsewhere in the New Testament. It means appropriate to a sacred place or person, or becoming to religion. Their conduct should be such as the gospel requires.
Not false accusers - - Margin, "make-bates." Greek, διαβόλους diabolous - the word commonly applied to the devil - "as the accuser." See it explained in the notes at 1 Timothy 3:11, where it is rendered slanderers.
Not given to much wine - Notes, 1 Timothy 3.
Teachers of good things - That is instructing the younger - whether their own children, or whether they sustain the office of deaconness, and are appointed to give instruction to younger females; compare the notes at 1 Timothy 5:2-6.
Wesley's Titus 2:3 Bible Commentary
2:3 In behaviour - The particulars whereof follow. As becometh holiness - Literally, observing an holy decorum. Not slanderers - Or evil - speakers. Not given to much wine - If they use a little for their often infirmities. Teachers - Age and experience call them so to be. Let them teach good only.
