Titus 2:5 and the Wife's Role in a Respectful Home
Titus 2:5 outlines several virtues for older women to teach younger women, including being "sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored" [1]. This verse is part of a broader instruction from Paul to Titus on how different groups within the Christian community should conduct themselves, ensuring that the church's witness remains unblemished [6].
The immediate context of Titus 2:5 is Paul's instruction to Titus regarding the proper conduct of various age and gender groups within the church in Crete. Paul advises Titus to teach older men to be temperate, dignified, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance (Titus 2:2). Older women are likewise instructed to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or enslaved to much wine, but teachers of good things (Titus 2:3). It is these older women who are then tasked with training younger women in the virtues listed in verse 5, as well as to "love their husbands, to love their children" (Titus 2:4) [1]. This structure emphasizes the importance of intergenerational discipleship within the Christian household [6].
Historically, the letter to Titus was written by Paul to his associate Titus, who was overseeing the churches on the island of Crete [9]. The instructions provided are practical guidelines for establishing order and sound doctrine in a relatively new Christian community, addressing issues that might arise in a diverse cultural setting. The emphasis on household management and appropriate roles reflects common concerns in the Greco-Roman world regarding social order and reputation [8].
Several key terms in Titus 2:5 carry significant weight. The term "sensible" (NASB) or "discreet" (John Gill) implies wisdom and prudence in all aspects of conduct, both within the home and outside of it [1, 7]. "Pure" or "chaste" refers to faithfulness and undefiled affection towards one's husband [1, 7]. The phrase "workers at home" (NASB) or "keepers at home" (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown; John Gill) highlights an active engagement in household duties and managing family affairs [1, 5, 7]. This is contrasted with "gadding abroad" or busying oneself with others' matters [7]. Some ancient manuscripts read "guardians of the house," emphasizing the protective role of women in their homes [5].
The instruction to be "kind" (NASB) or "good" (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown) suggests a beneficent and thrifty disposition, rather than being "churlish and niggardly" [1, 5]. Finally, "being subject to their own husbands" (NASB) is a recurring theme in Pauline epistles concerning wives [1, 10]. The Greek word for "subject" is also translated as "submissive" [5]. This subjection is specifically directed towards "their own" husbands, underscoring the personal nature of this relationship [5].
The overarching purpose for these instructions is "so that the word of God will not be dishonored" [1]. The conduct of Christian women, particularly in their homes and marriages, was seen as directly impacting the reputation of the Gospel itself [5]. If Christian women were perceived as disorderly or disobedient, it could bring reproach upon the Christian message [5]. This concern for the church's public witness is a consistent theme in Paul's pastoral letters [11].
The concept of wives being subject to their husbands is also found in other New Testament passages, such as Ephesians 5:22-24, Colossians 3:18, and 1 Peter 3:1 [2, 5, 10]. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that woman was "taken out of man" (Genesis 2:23), implying a preeminence for the man, yet also emphasizes that honor should be shown to the wife [4]. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists "to obey them" as a duty of wives, alongside loving and reverencing them [2]. However, this submission is often presented in conjunction with the husband's duty to love his wife, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-33 and Colossians 3:19 [3, 10]. The relationship is meant to reflect the union between Christ and the church [10].
The passage in Titus 2:5, therefore, functions as a practical guide for Christian women, emphasizing virtues that contribute to a well-ordered household and a positive testimony for the Christian faith. It places these responsibilities within the context of intergenerational teaching and the broader mission of the church to uphold the honor of God's word.
Sources
- Titus “Titus 2:5 (NASB) — to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wives — Not to be selected from among the ungodly -- Ge 24:3; 26:34,35; 28:1. Duties of, to their husbands To love them. -- Tit 2:4. To reverence them. -- Eph 5:33. To be faithful to them. -- 1Co 7:3-5,10. To be subject to them. -- Ge 3:16; Eph 5:22,24; 1Pe 3:1. To obey them. -- 1Co 14:34; Tit 2:5. To remain with them for life. -- Ro 7:2,3. Should be adorned Not with ornaments. -- 1Ti 2:9; 1Pe 3:3. With modesty and sobriety. -- 1Ti 2:9. With a meek and quiet spirit. -- 1Pe 3:4,5. With good works. -- 1Ti 2:10; 5:10. Good Are from the Lord. -- Pr 19:14. Are a token of ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Husbands — Should have but one wife -- Ge 2:24; Mr 10:6-8; 1Co 7:2-4. Have authority over their wives -- Ge 3:16; 1Co 11:3; Eph 5:23. Duty of, to wives To respect them. -- 1Pe 3:7. To love them. -- Eph 5:25-33; Col 3:19. To regard them as themselves. -- Ge 2:23; Mt 19:5. To be faithful to them. -- Pr 5:19; Mal 2:14,15. To dwell with them for life. -- Ge 2:24; Mt 19:3-9. To comfort them. -- 1Sa 1:8. To consult with them. -- Ge 31:4-7. Not to leave them, though unbelieving. -- 1Co 7:11,12,14,16. Duties of, not to interfere with their duties to Christ -- Lu 14:26; Mt 19”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Woman — Was "taken out of man" (Gen. 2:23), and therefore the man has the preeminence. "The head of the woman is the man;" but yet honour is to be shown to the wife, "as unto the weaker vessel" (1 Cor. 11:3, 8, 9; 1 Pet. 3:7). Several women are mentioned in Scripture as having been endowed with prophetic gifts, as Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judg. 4:4, 5), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), Anna (Luke 2:36, 37), and the daughters of Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:8, 9). Women are forbidden to teach publicly (1 Cor. 14:34, 35; 1 Tim. 2:11, 12). Among the He”
- Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 2:5: keepers at home--as "guardians of the house," as the Greek expresses. The oldest manuscripts read, "Workers at home": active in household duties (Pro 7:11; Ti1 5:13). good--kind, beneficent (Mat 20:15; Rom 5:7; Pe1 2:18). Not churlish and niggardly, but thrifty as housewives. obedient--rather "submissive," as the Greek is translated; (see on Eph 5:21-22; Eph 5:24). their own--marking the duty of subjection which they owe them, as being their own husbands (Eph 5:22; Col 3:18). blasphemed--"evil spoken of." That no reproach may be cast on the Gospe”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 5:1: 5:1–6:2a Right conduct in God’s household (see 3:15) relates to old and young (5:1-2), widows (5:3-16), elders (5:17-25), and slaves (6:1-2a). Proper honor within the household cuts across social boundaries.”
- Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 2:4: To be discreet,.... Or temperate in eating and drinking, so the word is rendered in Tit 2:2 or to be sober both in body and mind; or to be wise and prudent in the whole of their conduct, both at home and abroad: chaste; in body, in affection, words and actions, having their love pure and single to their own husbands, keeping their marriage bed undefiled. Keepers at home: minding their own family affairs, not gadding abroad; and inspecting into, and busying themselves about other people's matters. This is said in opposition to what women are prone unto. It is reckone”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 13.12: a sort of savages and destitute of humanity. Who hath his children in subjection with, all reverence The apostle does not recommend a clever man, and deeply skilled in domestic matters, but one who has learned to govern a family by wholesome discipline. He speaks chiefly of children, who may be expected to possess the natural disposition of their father; and therefore it will be a great disgrace to a bishop, if he has children who lead a wicked and scandalous life. As to wives, he will speak of them afterwards; but at present, ”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 2:24: 2:24 A servant of the Lord: See Titus 1:1; cp. Isa 42:1-2; 50:6; 53:7; Matt 12:14-21. • be able to teach, and be patient: See 1 Tim 3:2-3; Titus 3:2.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:22: 5:22-33 Christian wives are to submit to their husbands, showing them respect. Equally important, Christian husbands are to love their wives (see Col 3:18-19). Christian marriages become a reflection of the union and relationship between the Lord and the church. 5:22 Submission is part of the life to which the wives’ Christian commitment calls them (see 1 Cor 11:3-10; 14:34-35; Col 3:18; 1 Tim 2:11-12; Titus 2:5; 1 Pet 3:1-6).”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 3:2: 3:2 whose life is above reproach: This is the most general prerequisite for a community leader and public representative (see 3:7, 10; 5:7; 6:14; Titus 1:6-7; 2:8). • must be faithful to his wife (or must have only one wife, or must be married only once; literally must be the husband of one wife; also in 1 Tim 3:12): This assumes but does not require a married male. It mainly addresses purity and faithfulness in the marriage relationship, something that could not be taken for granted in the surrounding culture; it probably does not prohibit remarriage after the ”