Sunday, October 5, 2008

John Calvin on Titus 2:3-5

3. That aged women in like manner We very frequently see, that females advanced in age either continue to dress with the lightness of youthful years, or have something superstitious in their apparel, and seldom hit the golden mean. Paul wished to guard against both extremes, by enjoining them to follow a course that is agreeable both to outward propriety and to religion; or, if you choose to express it in simpler language, to give evidence, by their very dress, that they are holy and godly women.

He next corrects another two vices, to which they are often addicted, when he forbids them to be slanderers and slaves to much wine. Talkativeness is a disease of women, and it is increased by old age. To this is added, that women never think that they are eloquent enough, if they are not given to prattling and to slander — if they do not attack the characters of all. The consequence is, that old women, by their slanderous talkativeness, as by a lighted torch, frequently set on fire many houses. Many are also given to drinking, so that, forgetting modesty and gravity, they indulge in an unbecoming wantonness.

4. That they may teach young women temperance That they may be more attentive to duty, he shows that it is not enough if their own life be decent, if they do not also train young women, by their instructions, to a decent and chaste life. He therefore adds, that by their example they should train to temperance and gravity those younger women whom the warmth of youth might otherwise lead into imprudence.

To love their husbands and their children I do not agree with those who think that this is a recapitulation of the advices which elderly women should give to those who are younger for a careful perusal of the context will enable any one easily to perceive that Paul goes on in explaining the duties of women, which apply equally to those who are older. Besides, the construction would be inappropriate, σωφρονίζωσι, σώφρονας εἶναι. Yet while he instructs elderly females what they ought to be, he at the same time holds out to the younger the example which they ought to follow. Thus he indiscriminately teaches both. In short, he wishes women to be restrained, by conjugal love and affection for their children, from giving themselves up to licentious attachments, he wishes them to rule their own house in a sober and orderly manner, forbids them to wander about in public places, bids them be chaste, and at the same time modest, so as to be subject to the dominion of their husbands; for those who excel in other virtues sometimes take occasion from them to act haughtily, so as to be disobedient to their husbands.

When he adds, that the word of God may not be evil spoken of, it is supposed that this relates strictly to women who were married to unbelieving husbands, who might judge of the gospel from the wicked conduct of their wives; and this appears to be confirmed by 1 Peter iii. 1. But what if he does not speak of husbands alone? And, indeed, it is probable that he demands such strictness of life as not to bring the gospel into the contempt of the public by their vices. As to the other parts of the verse, the reader will find them explained in the Commentary on the First Epistle to Timothy

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Sarah Palin / Voddie Baucham: Titus 2:5 is the Gospel?



With much respect to Voddie Bauchman, I am sorry but Titus 2:5 is not the gospel. If it is, then 1 Corinthians 11:5 is the gospel too. The gospel is that we are all born sinners who are dead in sins and deserve Hell and by God grace he grants repentance and faith to those who believe, and that Christ shed his blood with the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Aquila and Priscillia

I have a hard time believing that people care more about certain ministries, just to believe what they say or teach, than what the Bible actually teaches. The question is, if the Holy Spirit who breathed the scriptures states that both Aquila and his wife Priscilla worked as tent makers in Acts 18 :3, then why can't others except this. The Bible does not say that Aquila was a tent maker and Priscilla was his home-working wife. What the Mahaney's have done is they have taken one scripture out of context and headed off to the races with it. Making Titus 2:5 a command. The Mahaney ladies have created their whole doctrine around Titus 2:5. This is no different than my legalist family members who have created their whole doctrine around 1 Timothy 2:9. C J Mahaney preaches a great gospel message by the grace of God, but if his wife teaches falsely, which he most likely believes also, then it hurts his gospel message. The Proverbs 31 woman was one who worked hard and worked outside of the home a lot. But the Mahaney's claim that if a woman works it should be very minimal and possibly just for a season, and this just goes for married women with no children. Do you see where this is headed? They claim that Titus 2:5 is a command in their context as a biblical woman working solely at home, but they are the ones who make the exceptions to the rule. If someone stands in a pulpit and teaches, then they better make sure that what they are saying is correct, especially when you state that certain scriptures are commands by God. Examine what Paul writes to Timothy about what young women do in the church in 1 Timothy 5:13 and then look at Titus 2:5, "keepers at home". It makes perfect sense why he instructed these women to be "keepers at home". If you don't realize that some things in scripture are addressed to certain people and cultures, then you are going to have to live this life bogged down in commands and law. All someone has to say, is Where are your wife's head coverings? based on 1 Corinthians11:5, which it seems no one can answer. Or ask the pastor or administration, Where is the list of older widows who qualify for service based on 1 Timothy 5:9? Why is this not practiced today? This does not discredit the Word of God, it just means that we have to discern if certain teachings apply to us today. If not, then I hope that your wives enjoy wearing head coverings and I will be praying for you that you come out of this legalistic mentality. Oh, someone will say that legalism is only about trying to work for salvation, but I beg to differ. If you are doing something because you feel that you are gaining favor or blessing from God over someone else who does not do this, then this is legalism too. That is what Mahaney claims in her sermon, Being Busy at Home.