Survey of the Letters of Paul back to the top     back to main page for this verse Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, This section of chapter 2 has 3 verses. Titus 2:3-5 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. We will begin with the Barclay: THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER 3. THE YOUNGER WOMEN THE younger women are instructed to be devoted to their husbands and their children, to be prudent and chaste, to manage their households well, to be kindly to their servants and to be obedient to their husbands; and the object of such conduct is that no one will be able to speak evil of the word of God. In this passage, there is both something that is of temporary value and something that is permanent. In the ancient Greek world, the respectable woman lived a completely secluded life. In the house, she had her own quarters and seldom left them, not even to sit at meals with the male members of the family; and no man except her husband ever entered her rooms. She never attended any public assemblies or meetings; she seldom appeared on the streets, and, when she did, she never did so alone. In fact, it has been said that there was no honourable way in which a Greek woman could make a living. No trade or profession was open to her; and, if she tried to earn a living, she was driven to prostitution. If the women of the ancient Church had suddenly burst every limitation which the centuries had imposed upon them, the only result would have been to bring discredit on the Church and cause people to say that Christianity corrupted womanhood. The life laid down here seems narrow and restricted, but it is to be read against its background. In that sense, this passage is of its time and so is temporary. But there is also a sense in which it is permanent. It is the simple fact that there is no greater task, responsibility and privilege in this world than to make a home. It may well be that, when women are involved in all the exhausting duties which children and a home bring with them, they may say: ‘If only I could be done with all this, so that I could live a truly religious life.’ There is in fact nowhere where a truly religious life can better be lived than within the home. As John Keble’s hymn ‘New Every Morning’ has it: We need not bid, for cloistered cell, Our neighbour and our work farewell, Nor strive to wind ourselves too high For sinful man beneath the sky; The trivial round, the common task, Will furnish all we need to ask – Room to deny ourselves, a road To bring us daily nearer God. In the last analysis, there can be no greater career than that of homemaking. Many who have made a mark in the world have been enabled to do so simply because someone at home loved them and looked after them. It is infinitely more important to be at home to put the children to bed and hear them say their prayers than to attend all the public and church meetings in the world. ~Barclay commentary Now to the other commentaries. We will begin with the general and go to the specific as usual. We will begin with the Matthew Henry Main commentary. This is an excerpt from a very large commentary on this chapter. 3. There are lessons for young women also, whom the aged women must teach, instructing and advising them in the duties of religion according to their years. For teaching such things aged women have often better access than the men, even than ministers have, which therefore they must improve in instructing the young women, especially the young wives; for he speaks of their duty to their husbands and children. These young women the more aged must teach, (1.) To bear a good personal character: To be sober and discreet, contrary to the vanity and rashness which younger years are subject to: discreet in their judgments and sober in their affections and behaviour. Discreet and chaste stand well together; many expose themselves to fatal temptations by that which at first might be but indiscretion. Proverbs 2:11, Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee from the evil way. Chaste, and keepers at home, are well joined too. Quoted verse Proverbs 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 1Timothy 5:13-14, They learn to be idle, wandering from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. Their business is to guide the house, and they should give no occasion to the enemy to speak reproachfully. Good, generally, in opposition to all vice; and specially, in her place, kind, helpful, and charitable; as Dorcas, full of good works and almsdeeds. It may also have, as some think, a more particular sense; one of a meek and yet cheerful spirit and temper, not sullen nor bitter; not taunting not fretting and galling [irritating; vexing; exasperating.] any; not of a troublesome or jarring disposition, uneasy in herself and to those about her; but of a good nature and pleasing conversation, and likewise helpful by her advice and pains: thus building her house, and doing her husband good, and not evil, all her days. Thus in their personal character sober, discreet, chaste, keepers at home, and good: and, Note: The phrase "jarring disposition" means, "to have a harshly unpleasant or perturbing effect on one's nerves, feelings, thoughts, etc." Quoted verses: 1 Timothy 5:13-14 [see Lessons] 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. (2.) In their relative capacities: To love their husbands, and to be obedient to them; and where there is true love this will be no difficult command. God, in nature, and by his will, hath made this subordination: I suffer not a woman to usurp authority over the man (1 Timothy 2:12) Quoted verse: 1 Timothy 2:12 [see Lesson] But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. Ephesian 5:22-23, Wives submit yourselves unto you own husbands, as unto the Lord, as owning Christ's authority in them, whose image they bear; for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. God would have a resemblance of Christ's authority over the church held forth in the husband's over the wife. Christ is the head of the church, to protect and save it, to supply it with all good, and secure or deliver it from evil; and so the husband over the wife, to keep her from injuries, and to provide comfortably for her, according to his ability. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be unto their own husbands, as is fit in the Lord (Colossians 3:18). ~Matthew Henry Main Quoted verses: Ephesians 5:22-23 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.  Now to the Matthew Henry Concise. This commentary covers verses 1-10.    Old disciples of Christ must behave in everything agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged men be sober; not thinking that the decays of nature will justify any excess; but seeking comfort from nearer communion with God, not from any undue indulgence. Faith works by, and must be seen in love, of God for himself, and of men for God's sake. Aged persons are apt to be peevish and fretful; therefore, need to be on their guard. Though there is not express Scripture for every word, or look, yet there are general rules, according to which all must be ordered. Young women must be sober and discreet; for many expose themselves to fatal temptations by what at first might be only want of discretion. The reason is added, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Failures in duties greatly reproach Christianity. Young men are apt to be eager and thoughtless, therefore must be earnestly called upon to be sober-minded: there are more young people ruined by pride than by any other sin. Every godly man's endeavor must be to stop the mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to speak of! ~Matthew Henry Concise.    Now some things from the Biblical Illustrator. The aged women The dangers and duties of women I. Women have peculiar dangers according to their age. The older ones are tempted to seek the excitement of stimulants, or of slander; the younger ones to instability of affection, to impurity of life, or other inconsistency of conduct. II. Women have duties peculiar to their age. The younger have duties of obedience; the middle-aged have the cares of home life; the aged have the instruction of the younger. ~Biblical Illustrator Religious home life I. True religion is the foundation of home happiness. II. True religion is the secret of domestic prosperity. III. True religion at home can alone insure the esteem and respect of those abroad. ~Biblical Illustrator The bloom of the aged A good woman never grows old. Years may pass over her head, but if benevolence and virtue dwell in her heart, she is as cheerful as when the spring of life first opened to her view. When we look upon a good woman we never think of her age; she looks as charming as when the rose of youth first bloomed on her cheek. That rose has not faded yet; it will never fade. In her neighbourhood she is the friend and benefactor. Who does not respect and love the woman who has passed her days in acts of kindness and mercy—who has been the friend of man and God—whose whole life has been a scene of kindness and love and devotion to truth? We repeat, such a woman cannot grow old. She will always be fresh and buoyant in spirit and active in humble deeds of mercy and benevolence. If the young lady desires to retain the bloom and beauty of youth, let her not yield to the sway of fashion and folly; let her love truth and virtue, and to the close of life she will retain those feelings which now make life appear a garden of sweets, ever fresh and ever new. ~Biblical Illustrator A faithful wife There is nothing upon this earth that can compare with the faithful attachment of a wife; no creature who for the object of her love is so indomitable [in-dom-i-tuh-buh l] [courage, unconquerable], so persevering, so ready to suffer and to die. Under the most depressing circumstances, a woman’s weakness becomes mighty power; her timidity [lack of bravery] becomes fearless courage; all her shrinking and sinking passes away; and her spirit acquires the firmness of marble—adamantine [ad-uh-man-teen] [utterly unyielding] firmness—when circumstances drive her to put forth all her energies under the inspiration of her affections. ~Biblical Illustrator Quotes on wives: "Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife." "The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make - not just on your wedding day, but over and over again - and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife." "Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave." "Don't ever stop dating your wife and don't ever stop flirting with your husband." "A wise woman knows the importance of speaking life into her man. If you love him: believe in him, encourage him and be his peace." "Wives: love him so much that he might doubt your sanity...but never your passion." Now to the specific commentaries. The commentaries break this verse out into three parts: 1] That they may teach the young women to be sober. 2] To love their husbands. 3] To love their children. 1] That they may teach the young women to be sober. That they may teach the young women to be sober - Margin, “wise” - a word similar to that which in Titus 2:2 is rendered “temperate,” and in 1 Timothy 3:2, “sober.” The meaning is, that they should instruct them to have their desires and passions well regulated, or under proper control. ~Barnes Notes Quoted verses: Titus 2:2 [see Lesson] That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 1 Timothy 3:2 [see Lesson] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 2] To love their husbands. To love their husbands - φιλάνδρους philandrous. This word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. In Ephesians 5:25, Paul directs husbands to love their wives, and in Ephesians 5:33, the wife to reverence her husband, and here he says that it should be one of the first duties enjoined Son the wife that she should love her husband. All happiness in the marriage relation is based on mutual love. When that departs, happiness departs. No wealth or splendor in a dwelling - no gorgeousness of equipage or apparel - no magnificence of entertainment or sweetness of music - and no forms of courtesy and politeness, can be a compensation for the want of affection. Mutual love between a husband and wife will diffuse comfort through the obscurest cottage of poverty; the want of it cannot be supplied by all that can be furnished in the palaces of the great. ~Barnes Notes Quoted verses: Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 3] To love their children. To love their children - Nature prompts to this, and yet there are those so depraved that they have no maternal affection; Notes, Romans 1:31. Religion reproduces natural affection when sin has weakened or destroyed it, and it is the design of Christianity to recover and invigorate all the lost or weakened sensibilities of our nature. ~Barnes Notes Quoted verse: Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:   back to the top      back to main page for this verse