His model: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

His teaching ministry: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13; see also Titus 2:7-8).

Process Versus Perfection

When Paul wrote to Titus and instructed him to teach the older women to be reverent in the way they lived, this modeling was to embody all of the qualities Paul outlined for both older and younger women (see Titus 2:3-5). On the one hand, he was certainly not describing and demanding perfection. However, he was teaching the importance of consistency and a level of maturity that will win the respect of those we are attempting to lead. This is also why Paul emphasized that elders who are to shepherd the church are to “be above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2) and “blameless” (Titus 1:6). In essence, they too were to be reverent in the way they lived so as to both model and teach Christlike character to others.

Don’t let this standard intimidate or discourage you. Developing this kind of reputation in the Christian community takes time. Imagine how long it took Phoebe to grow in her relationship with Christ. It certainly didn’t happen overnight. Remember that Paul ministered in Corinth for more than a year, and when he wrote his first letter to these believers, he accused most of them of still being “infants in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1). They were “still worldly [and] acting like mere men” (v. 3) — or as pagan unbelievers. Let’s not forget that Phoebe lived just a few miles from the Corinthians and that the town she grew up in was just as pagan as Corinth.

If Phoebe could eventually become a woman who reflected God’s character, so can you. God has given you all you need to grow and mature in your Christian life, no matter what your past behavior. The apostle Peter put it this way:

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2 Pet. 1:3).

Older Versus Younger

Since Paul emphasized the need for older women to train the younger women, you might conclude that since you are a young wife or mother or single woman, this statement by Paul doesn’t apply to you. It’s true that the term “older” refers to age and that the older we get, the more wisdom we hope to have to share with those younger than we are. However, when it comes to applying what Paul was teaching, there is certainly an element of relativity in this exhortation that applies at three levels.