This verse does not contain a main verb but assumes the verb of the previous verse; so Bid, “instruct” (Good News Translation).

The term for older women occurs only here in the whole New Testament; it is the counterpart to “older men” in the previous verse, which means that the accent is also on age.

For likewise see 1 Tim 2.9 (where it is rendered “also”) and 3.8. Here as there, it is used to connect the present verse with the previous one.

The instruction to these women consists of four parts, the first and the last being positive, and the second and third negative, thus forming a chiastic structure, A-B-B′-A′.

First, these older women are to be reverent in their behavior. Both of these words appear only here in the whole New Testament. Reverent translates a word that appropriately describes devotion and conviction in matters of religious belief and behavior; hence “devout,” “pious.” It has been suggested that this term can also be used to mean “to act like a temple priestess,” which would mean that the devotion of these women should parallel the devotion of those who serve as priestesses in the temple. Behavior, on the other hand, translates a word that refers generally to a person’s conduct and way of life. Another way to express this is “behave as women do who live lives devoted (or, dedicated) to God.”

What follows are two negative habits to be avoided. For slanderers see 1 Tim 3.11. An expression similar to slaves to drink appears in 1 Tim 3.8.

And finally, these older women are to teach what is good. This translates a compound word combining the word “good” or “beautiful” with “teacher,” hence “teacher of what is good.” This may refer to formal teaching but more likely refers to informal teaching, which includes teaching about proper living by both word and example. The term occurs only here in the whole New Testament.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• You must also tell the older women to behave as women should who live lives devoted to God. They must not say harmful things about other people or be addicted to wine. They must also teach the way to live a good (or, proper) life.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to Titus. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .