3 that the elder women in like manner be in deportment as becoming those who have to say to sacred things, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is right;
In like manner also that the women in decent deportment and dress adorn themselves with modesty and discretion, not with plaited [hair] and gold, or pearls, or costly clothing, but, what becomes women making profession of the fear of God, by good works.
whose adorning let it not be that outward one of tressing of hair, and wearing gold, or putting on apparel; but the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. For thus also the holy women who have hoped in God heretofore adorned themselves, being subject to their own husbands;
Now she who [is] a widow indeed, and is left alone, has put [her] hope in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that lives in habits of self-indulgence is dead [while] living. And these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable. But if any one does not provide for his own, and specially for those of [his] house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbeliever. Let a widow be put upon the list, being of not less than sixty years, [having been] wife of one man, borne witness to in good works, if she have brought up children, if she have exercised hospitality, if she have washed saints' feet, if she have imparted relief to the distressed, if she have diligently followed every good work.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Titus 2
Commentary on Titus 2 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 2
The apostle here directs Titus about the faithful discharge of his own office generally (v. 1), and particularly as to several sorts of persons (v. 2-10) and gives the grounds of these and of other following directions (v. 11-14), with a summary direction in the close (v. 15).
Tts 2:1-10
Here is the third thing in the matter of the epistle. In the chapter foregoing, the apostle had directed Titus about matters of government, and to set in order the things that were wanting in the churches. Now here he exhorts him,
Tts 2:11-14
Here we have the grounds or considerations upon which all the foregoing directions are urged, taken from the nature and design of the gospel, and the end of Christ's death.
Tts 2:15
The apostle closes the chapter (as he began it) with a summary direction to Titus upon the whole, in which we have the matter and manner of ministers' teaching, and a special instruction to Titus in reference to himself.
Perhaps too an admonition might be here intended to the people-that Titus, though young, and but a substitute of the apostle, yet should not be condemned by them, but considered and respected as a faithful minister of Christ, and encouraged and supported in his work and office. "Know those that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, 1 Th. 5:12, 13. Mind their teaching, respect their persons, support them in their function, and, what in you lies, further their endeavours for the honour of God and the salvation of souls.'