An Endangered Species

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good” (v3).

Cougars are cool. At least that’s what movies, television, and novels will tell you these days. Certainly you’re aware of the species. Older women on the make for younger men. Older women who seem to say, “If you can’t say anything good about somebody, come sit by me!” Older women who say it’s always wine o’clock. These big cats are clearly on the prowl on the island of Crete. Paul tells Titus to make these cougars an endangered species. 

Before we watch an episode of “The Real Housewives of Crete,” lets remember the context of this verse. The Gospel of Jesus has transformed thousands of lives on this Mediterranean island. The Apostle Paul has moved on to his next mission in the Greek seaport of Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). He’s given his protege Titus a three-point plan to complete before he hits the road himself. Appoint elders in all of the local churches to fill the leadership vacuum (Titus 1:5). Eliminate the threat posed by Jewish false teachers (Titus 1:10-11). Set up a self-replicating system of discipleship so that new believers will learn what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). A big part of that is declawing Cretan cougars.

Just after instructing Titus to teach senior saints to be Old Man Strong, Paul tells him that “older women are likewise to be reverent in behavior” (v3). In other words, they are to pursue the same sort of qualities and virtues as the older men. In other words, “sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness” (Titus 2:2). They should live lives that are marked by strong faith, strong love, and strong endurance. That’s what it means to be “reverent” (v3). This is the Greek word hieroprepes. The term literally means “to stand out as holy.” It describes behavior that is fitting for what is sacred. One who lives in awe of God. A person devoted to their faith. If this is the goal then it’s not to hard to imagine that these women are just the opposite. Drunk. Undignified. Out of control. Only trying to satisfy their passions and desires. You know, cougars. Let’s be clear about one thing. Titus can’t cage these cats. Neither can Paul. Only Jesus has the power to redeem and transform our lives through His gracious Gospel.

Gossip is clearly a problem among these desperate housewives. Paul tells the Big T that they should no longer be “slanderers” (v3). A closer look at the original language reveals something more diabolical. Literally. This is the Greek term diabolos. It’s the word that writers of the New Testament use as the name for Satan 34 times! Translators use the word devil. It’s somebody who lives to gossip. An accuser. To be a gossip is to be an agent of the enemy. It seems that cougars are closely related to the “devil who prowls around like a roaring lion” (1Pet 5:8). Can we talk frankly for a moment? This isn’t limited to the ladies. I have a horrible habit of being a gossip. The book of Proverbs is chockfull of warnings against the danger of loose lips (Prov 11:13; 18:8; 10:19; 26:22). It destroys friendships (Prov 16:28). It stokes the fire of arguments (Prov 26:20). Instead of spreading bad news, why don’t we spread the best news? Let’s make the Gospel go viral.

Apparently another is issue is that these older women are “slaves to much wine” (v3). Paul doesn’t say she can’t enjoy a glass of Chardonnay. He is saying that she must not abuse it. A godly woman shouldn’t be under the control of alcohol or any other substances. That includes “momma’s little helper.” Again, this is not just an issue for the older women in the audience. It takes some nimble scriptural gymnastics to say God’s Word prohibits alcohol. It simply tells believers to only worship at the throne of our heavenly King, not the liquor cabinet.

After these godly older women put a cork in both the gossip and the bottle, “they are to teach what is good” (v3). This is actually just one long word (Gr. kalodidaskalos). It literally means “good things teachers.” Paul gives more specific examples in the following verse. Basically, these ladies are to do two things. One on hand, they should be examples. They should model the behavior for others, especially the younger ladies in their lives. On the other hand, they should be actively teaching others. Just as Paul had younger guys like Timothy and Titus in his life, an older woman who follows Jesus should actively pursue similar intentional relationships. Instead of creating more cougars, these ladies are making them an endangered species.

The Gospel of Jesus has the power to declaw the cougar, not just on Crete but all around the world. Let's make them an endangered species.