Life as a Christian Woman

The Proverbs 31 woman is often quoted as an example of the perfect Christian woman. We are taught to aspire to its example even though actual attainment is impossible. Bible study series are written about it; sermons are preached on it; ladies’ clubs compare notes at meetings to see which area they need to work on over the next week. The Proverbs 31 woman looms in the background of our thoughts as inspiration, but also as admonition when we fail to live up to its impossible standards. So why aren’t we taught to strive to be a Titus 2 woman?

King Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs and the description of a desirable wife found in Proverbs 31. In Kings 1, we are told that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Is it not possible, then, that his description is an amalgam of the virtues he admired in his 700 wives?

Paul wrote his letter to Titus as a reminder that he had been left in Crete to appoint elders of the churches there. In this letter, he gives Titus the qualities to look for in church leaders and tells him to remind the new Christians of proper behavior. Titus 2:3-5 describes the virtues Christian women should exhibit: The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things–that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

This Titus woman appears to be a much more realistic picture of what a true Christian woman should be. In essence, Paul wrote in three verses the most important qualities we should aspire to. If we study these reminders and strive toward Paul’s description, are we not exhibiting the qualities Jesus taught to all followers? The New Testament Titus woman inspires us to proper behavior within the church and the body of Christ; the Old Testament Proverbs 31 woman strikes fear into the heart of every new Christan woman who knows right off the bat she will never live up to the virtues of Solomon’s 700 wives.

The next time you want to study an example of a perfect Christian woman, turn to Titus instead of Proverbs 31. Your walk with Christ will be much less anxious.

christian women, christianity, Proverbs, Titus, church