We all know the Titus 2:3-5 passage in the Bible where the older women are instructed to be “teachers of good things.” The Mirror paraphrase of the Bible says that it is “irresistibly beautiful teaching.” The phrase in the Greek is “kalodidaskalos” from two words:
1.”didaskalos” meaning “ teacher, instructor,” and
2. “kalos” meaning “good, beautiful.”
Actually it is more than that. Would you like to know the full meaning of this word? Sorry, there are too many descriptions from the Greek Lexicon so I’ll just add a few more for you: “kalos” also means “excellent in its nature and characteristics, magnificent, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable, valuable, virtuous, worthy, praiseworthy, honorable, beautiful to look at, and beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life.”
God describes the lifestyle of being a submissive and loving wife, mothering (embracing and loving children), and keeping the home as beautiful and admirable. They are not insignificant or to be despised. This lifestyle is so valuable to God and to society that God actually says that when we reject it we “blaspheme the Word of God.” Please don’t get mad at me! I didn’t say those words, the Bible says them!
I like the J. B. Phillip’s translation of these words. Instead of saying them in the negative, he turns them around to the positive and says that when young women embrace this beautiful lifestyle it is “a good advertisement for the Christian faith.”
It’s the same word that is used in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good (kalos) works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Embrace your beautiful lifestyle today, dear wives and mothers. It is beautiful to God. It is precious to our husbands. It is valuable for our children. And it is magnificent for the blessing of society.
Love from Nancy Campbell
Painting by Mary Cassatt