Recently I was in a [small] discussion with a lady who was older than I on a Biblical subject, who was teaching and saying things that were contrary to sound doctrine. I replied to this lady with Scripture to refute the doctrines that she was saying, and I was told that in light of Titus 2 and 1 Timothy 5:1-2, I was not to be "teaching my elders" or even suggesting that she was in the wrong, which would be 'correcting my elder' – and I was not allowed to do that either.

So, let us examine Titus 2, to see what the "aged women" were to be teaching the younger women….

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

We see here that the aged women were to teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, and obedient to their own husbands. All these things that the aged women are to teach seem to be related to being a keeper of the home, do they not?

Not to mention that this was a general statement, that the aged women should be teaching the younger women these things. No where does it ever say that the younger cannot teach the elder/aged/older women!

Alright, so let's take a look at 1 Timothy 5:1-2…

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

I was told that I was not to "rebuke my elders" and replying with Scripture that contradicted her new views was considered rebuke, correcting, and disrespectfulness. Alright. First, let's look at what the word "rebuke" actually means here:: to chastise, that is, (with words) to upbraid

The word "rebuke" here is different from the word "rebuke" used in Titus 1:13, 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 2:15, and 1 Timothy 5:20. The word rebuke in 2 Timothy 4:2 means "to tax upon, that is, censure or admonish" and the word rebuke in Titus 1:13, Titus 2:15, & 1 Tim 5:20 means "convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove, admonish"

Does this word rebuke here (in 1 Tim. 5:1) mean that we can't admonish & reprove them [our elders] in the Lord, or tell them where they've erred? No. It means that we are not to chastise or upbraid them. And according to Webster's Dictionary, the word "upbraid" means:

1. To charge with something wrong or disgraceful; to reproach; to cast in the teeth
2. To reproach; to chide.
3. To reprove with severity.

I have found no where that we, as younger Christian woman, can not correct, exhort, reprove, teach, or instruct elder/older Christian women in the Lord. With due respect, kindness, love, gentleness, yet with firmness and with the Word that is sharper than any twoedged sword.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16)

And yet others say that it is still disrespectful and rude for younger women to correct elder women, and that we should go to our male authority [husband, father] with the issue, and our male authority will get in touch with the older woman's male authority to get the issue resolved.

What happened to the principle that if you have a problem with the person, or if the person is not teaching sound doctrine, you go directly to that person?

This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (Titus 1:13)

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (Luke 17:3)

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (Matthew 18:15)

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)

I do not see anywhere in the Scriptures where we are required to "beat around the bush", so to speak, to tell the person that what they are teaching or saying is contrary to sound doctrine.

Titus 2 and 1 Timothy 5:1-2 are both taken way out of context in order to get this "never ever correct/teach/instruct/reprove an elder" idea. If this elder woman is a Christian, as a sister in Christ it is our obligation to tell her if she does err from the truth, and try to get her back on the straight and narrow path!

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)